Author Topic: No Dash Lights - Rheostat?  (Read 1206 times)

Offline Travis Blake

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No Dash Lights - Rheostat?
« on: June 14, 2016 - 07:59:41 AM »
 I have finally gotten back to dealing with the electrical issues with the 74 Challenger. It is a new repro harness.  I have been told the rheostat is likely the problem with no dash lights. It has a 3 wire plug and I need to know which wire feeds the rheostat as I plan to "jump" it to get lights.

 I used a jumper wire to check the dash lights themselves and they work. Could the light switch be a problem not supplying power to the rheostat ? Thanks for any help.
1974 Dodge Challenger  - 440 Six Pack
2015 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited - Willy's Edition




Offline blown motor

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Re: No Dash Lights - Rheostat?
« Reply #1 on: June 14, 2016 - 09:28:07 AM »
My dash light dimmer didn't work either so we just bypassed it from the light switch. The dash lights are now on full when they are on. It's not too bright, just right for me.
In search of the eternal buzz!

Offline burdar

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Re: No Dash Lights - Rheostat?
« Reply #2 on: June 14, 2016 - 09:33:09 AM »
You can also send your switch to JS Restorations.  Jim will restore the switch and get it working like new.

Offline Travis Blake

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Re: No Dash Lights - Rheostat?
« Reply #3 on: June 14, 2016 - 11:12:26 AM »
Ok cool,    Did you jump it from post to post on the rheostat or did you jump it from the light switch to a post on the rheostat ?
1974 Dodge Challenger  - 440 Six Pack
2015 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited - Willy's Edition

Offline Rdchallenger12

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Re: No Dash Lights - Rheostat?
« Reply #4 on: June 15, 2016 - 07:02:55 PM »
You can also send your switch to JS Restorations.  Jim will restore the switch and get it working like new.

Do they have a website?

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: No Dash Lights - Rheostat?
« Reply #5 on: June 15, 2016 - 11:34:54 PM »

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline blown motor

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Re: No Dash Lights - Rheostat?
« Reply #6 on: June 16, 2016 - 08:36:57 AM »
Ok cool,    Did you jump it from post to post on the rheostat or did you jump it from the light switch to a post on the rheostat ?

It was a few years ago but I think we jumped from the light switch. Not sure if we touched the rheostat at all. Might have gone direct to the wire feeding the lights. Can't remember for sure.
In search of the eternal buzz!

Offline lulurocks

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Re: No Dash Lights - Rheostat?
« Reply #7 on: June 16, 2016 - 12:18:22 PM »
If you jump the terminals with the wire colors:  Black/yellow and   Black ----    To the tan.    .....With the dimmer switch  disconnected  this will bring on you dash lights on when headlight switch is turned on.

If your headlight switch is not the culprit. Also.

Check yourdash light fuse also  should be fuse 5.      5 amp



Also when your headlights are on the.   The terminal with the black  black/yel. Should have 12vdc   From that terminal to body ground. If you do your  headlight switch is good
« Last Edit: June 16, 2016 - 12:32:44 PM by lulurocks »