instrument panel lamps - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**MikeB** · 10-18-2015, 11:04 PM

The lamps in my 82 C10's instrument panel, wiper/washer panel, and heater control panel are fed 0 to 10 volts as I turn the dimmer knob. Would someone here please check their 5 amp instrument lamp fuse to see if they get full battery voltage with the parking lights on and dimmer knob turned full CCW? The fuse is on the lower left of a C10 fuse panel.

I'm guessing that the dimmer rheostat should provide full battery voltage in the CCW position, so that would mean mine is dirty or just plain worn out.

TexasJeff · 10-19-2015, 07:44 AM

I would just purchase a new one, they are cheap enough.

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/se...RWD&vi=1030824

**MikeB** · 10-29-2015, 10:25 PM

New switch at least feels a lot better, but I still have the problem. Since I have full battery voltage in to and out of the switch, there's gotta be some resistance between switch and fuse.

Also, voltage to the headlights is around 1.5-2.0 volts lower than battery voltage, even though everything else in the engine compartment, including IGN wire to the HEI is within 0.2 volts of battery voltage.

Nothing a $500 wiring kit and 20 hours won't fix.

In the meantime, I'm gonna wire up some relays for the headlights for the few times I'll drive the truck at night.

rich weyand · 10-29-2015, 10:43 PM

These guys have a good headlight relay kit for $25. No wiring changes. You hook it to the battery and the headlights, and then plug into the OEM headlight connector. And the harness wiring is long enough for our trucks. It's like a 5-minute install. I have been referring this site for 3-1/2 years, since I put mine on, and everybody said the relay is garbage, it will fail, etc. No issues in 3-1/2 years, and I do a fair amount of driving with the lights on, and switching high-beam to low-beam often on the snaky roads around here. No issues. Search on the page for Halogen Headlight Brightener, then figure out which one matches your headlight style numbers (9005, H4, etc.).
http://www.autolumination.com/headlights.htm

With regard to the dash lights, you do have the grounding strap from the firewall of the cab to the passenger side engine head, right? If you don't, that could be the problem.

10-18-2015, 11:04 PM	#1
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,597	instrument panel lamps The lamps in my 82 C10's instrument panel, wiper/washer panel, and heater control panel are fed 0 to 10 volts as I turn the dimmer knob. Would someone here please check their 5 amp instrument lamp fuse to see if they get full battery voltage with the parking lights on and dimmer knob turned full CCW? The fuse is on the lower left of a C10 fuse panel. I'm guessing that the dimmer rheostat should provide full battery voltage in the CCW position, so that would mean mine is dirty or just plain worn out. __________________ Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, recent AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then!

10-19-2015, 07:44 AM	#2
TexasJeff Don't Crush em Restore em Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Pinehurst, Texas Posts: 764	Re: instrument panel lamps I would just purchase a new one, they are cheap enough. http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/se...RWD&vi=1030824 __________________ TexasJeff 2009 Silver with Linen Interior Cadillac DTS 1990 Red with White Top and Interior Ford Mustang GT convertible 1998 Red with Gray Interior, C3500 Chevy Crew Cab Dually

10-29-2015, 10:25 PM	#3
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,597	Re: instrument panel lamps New switch at least feels a lot better, but I still have the problem. Since I have full battery voltage in to and out of the switch, there's gotta be some resistance between switch and fuse. Also, voltage to the headlights is around 1.5-2.0 volts lower than battery voltage, even though everything else in the engine compartment, including IGN wire to the HEI is within 0.2 volts of battery voltage. Nothing a $500 wiring kit and 20 hours won't fix. In the meantime, I'm gonna wire up some relays for the headlights for the few times I'll drive the truck at night. __________________ Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, recent AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then!

10-29-2015, 10:43 PM	#4
rich weyand Registered User Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Bloomington Indiana Posts: 1,041	Re: instrument panel lamps These guys have a good headlight relay kit for $25. No wiring changes. You hook it to the battery and the headlights, and then plug into the OEM headlight connector. And the harness wiring is long enough for our trucks. It's like a 5-minute install. I have been referring this site for 3-1/2 years, since I put mine on, and everybody said the relay is garbage, it will fail, etc. No issues in 3-1/2 years, and I do a fair amount of driving with the lights on, and switching high-beam to low-beam often on the snaky roads around here. No issues. Search on the page for Halogen Headlight Brightener, then figure out which one matches your headlight style numbers (9005, H4, etc.). http://www.autolumination.com/headlights.htm With regard to the dash lights, you do have the grounding strap from the firewall of the cab to the passenger side engine head, right? If you don't, that could be the problem. __________________ Rich Weyand 1978 K10 RCSB DD.

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