electrical and ignition Instrument cluster lights short

[JohnP_02]

Drove my '76 last night at night for the first time in awhile and the cluster lights would not turn on. Additionally the left side headlight and taillight are out. All the fuses look to be ok, I checked in the manual and it looks like fuse #8 is for the cluster but it is not blown. I haven't really been messing with the electrical too much although I have done a few things, but as far as I know the lights were all working properly recently. I suspect a short somewhere but not real sure where to begin to track it down? Would appreciate any thoughts.

 

John

 

 

[Guest dq48]

Check the fuses,they tend to corrode on the ends and , a simple spin of each fuse will make contact. I like to use a test light on each fuse end to see if it's carrying current. Basically,clean the fuse box with contact cleaner if this was the issue. Good Luck. dq 

[Mike Self]

If only your dash lights are out (and the little bulbs that illuminate the heater controls), but not anything else on that circuit is out, I'd suspect either the plug that connects the wiring harness to the instrument cluster (historically not real likely) or (more likely) the rheostat on the headlight switch that brightens and dims the instrument lights is either dirty and in need of cleaning, or has failed.

 

They do go bad.  You'll need to remove the instrument cluster to access the switch; then try cleaning the rheostat with tuner cleaner, and check the terminals with an ohmmeter for continuity.  If you're lucky cleaning will cure the problem.  Otherwise, you'll have to replace the switch.  Lotsa tutorials on removing the cluster and testing the headlight switch; check archives.

 

cheers

mike