console light problem?!?!?!?

[cudaaah]

I just changed my speedometer cable, plastic gage cover, and woodgrain...Thought I had it all together until I tried my lights ...my console lights won't come on, and I took the dash apart again and can't find a problem...fuse is OK, averything seems to be connected.  I know this is a tough question w/out seeing, but if there's something someone knows, or if I can bypass somehow or a typical problem that happens, Please let me know!!!   

Cudaaah

[Alaskan_TA]

Have you checked the bulb? 

[cudaaah]

I don't think it's the bulb, there's 3 or 4 across the dash?  Unless 1 would take out the rest like X-mas treee lights.

[Bullitt-]

maybe not plugged in good to the dimmer switch on the dash, Can you turn your dome light on with the switch?

[Alaskan_TA]

You lost me, do you mean the light in the console or the instrument cluster lights?

Barry

[cudaaah]

I haven't checked the dome light..but will.   The light bar across the the top of the console won't light. Turn signals do work.

[JayBee]

Sounds to me like you're talking about the light panel above the instrument panel/gauges. There's only one male orange wire (E2D-18 O) that goes from the light panel and plugs into the "instrument lamp connector" under the dash somewhere around the back of the radio. That wire goes from the connector to a splice connection behind the panel by the furthest right bulb. From there it branches out to the 4 bulbs. The "instrument panel connector" also supplies power to the ash tray light & the bulb in the shifter console. Question - do the radio & heater control lamp work, if not then it's a fuse (radio, I think). I also think it may be a bad ground, if there's too much paint on the light panel the screws may not ground to the frame properly. Let me know how you make out. 

[cudaaah]

That's great info!  The ashtray light doesn't work, nor the radiio light.
I heater control light was coming on but now it doesn't.

****You mentioned the light bar needs to be grounded.  I've been testing it while laying on top of my dash.  Does it have to be installed for grounding in order to work? 

[Bullitt-]

That's great info!  The ashtray light doesn't work, nor the radiio light.
I heater control light was coming on but now it doesn't.

****You mentioned the light bar needs to be grounded.  I've been testing it while laying on top of my dash.  Does it have to be installed for grounding in order to work? 

YES

[MEK-Dangerfield]

YES

BINGO!!


 We have found the problem.    If the light bar isn't screwed in, there is no ground connection.


  Mike

[JayBee]

cudaaah

With all those lamps not working I can't imagine you have that many burned out bulbs.
*Keep in mind that I'm using 1970 'Cuda schematics but I think they're all the same*

I know you said you checked the fuse but sometimes it could "look" good and the filament is actually broken. There's a 3 amp fuse labelled "Inst" (top right of the fuse box) that supplies power to: radio lamp, heater control lamp, gauge lamps(4), ashtray lamp, console shifter lamp & steering column lamp (if you have them). Power to that "instrument lamp connector" (that I mentioned earlier) is actually tapped off from the radio lamp plug. Anyway, you need to check for 12volts on both sides of the 3 amp "Inst" fuse. Also, check for rust and/or corrotion there. Keep in touch.

John

[cudaaah]

Thanks again for all the good info...I think I'll reinstall the light bar and recheck...it worked B4!  Hopefully it's just the fact it wasn't grounded.  I had no idea.  By the way, this is a 70 cuda.

Cudaaah

[JayBee]

Hey cudaaah

Just curious, how'd you make out with the lights?

[cudaaah]

damn it!!!  Well I screwed in several screws to the light bar (Last weekend), no luck.  Still no lights...I have to spend a little more time w/ it I guess.  Maybe tonight after a couple Beers. 

The lights worked B4 I pulled it apart

Thanks for asking!
Cudaaah

[PlumCrazyChris]

Did you ever get it figured out?  Sometimes the plug just pops off as you put the panel back in.