Dash Lights

[VTMopar]

My '74's been layed up for nearly a year getting a repaint (just got her back - gorgeous!).    I've been working on getting the interior back in along with trim, etc. and noticed that the panel dimmer switch isn't working (no lights whatsoever from the light bar - nor to the A/T shift light).    This was all working fine before (the dash was not removed for the repaint) and I checked the fuses.    So - before I start tearing the rallye dash apart -- which I would like to avoid -- anyone got any thoughts on what might have happened?     

thanks
VT Mopar

[dodj]

Dimmer failing is pretty common, but are you sure the light bar has a good ground? New paint on the light bar might be interfering with a good ground? Did you confirm that you have have power to the dimmer switch?

[Jamiez]

It's always possible that they did not plug the dimmer back in. You can remove the switch panel without pulling the whole dash.  It's held in by 4 screws.  I swapped my dimmer in less than an hour and it was the first time I had that piece of the dash off.

[VTMopar]

Thanks guys - they didn't remove the dash or get into this area (exterior and floor pan, doors, only.....

VT Mopar

[73Chally]

Did you check fuses?  Flip on your lights and see if your side marker lights or tail lights come on.  If not, you probably have a busted fuse (Assuming the wiring is the same as my 73).

[VTMopar]

Fuses are all good.....

[Jamiez]

What about the dome light?  If you move the dimmer all the way to one side it should activate the dome light, does that work?

[VTMopar]

No - dome comes on when doors are open (as does map light) - but does not come on with the dimmer switch.   The delay light for the heater controls does come on......as does the ignition light.... but nothing on the dash or the A/T light which work off the dimmer switch.

             So before I hit send on the above - I went to the garage to be sure, and I rotated the switch back and forth several times and WHOLLA -- now I have dash lights, etc.   Everthing works as it should!       

Must have been poor contact (probably dust from sitting at the body shop for several months along with inaction)..... So - all is good with the world again.   Thanks all!          Of course, now I feel a bit stupid....

VT mopar

[footin70rt]

No need to feel stupid, I think all of us have experienced that "loose nut" behind the steering wheel once or twice.   

[Jamiez]

It could be the dimmer switch is nearing it's end of life.  If you check out post 58 in this thread by JS Restorations (aka Slotts) you'll see the condition they are usually in.
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=64880.msg701492#msg701492

He sells rebuilt ones as well, mine was a night and day difference over the original.