Author Topic: instrument lights / dimmer switch issues  (Read 5039 times)

Offline Barracudadan

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 538
instrument lights / dimmer switch issues
« on: June 06, 2011 - 01:37:01 PM »
My fuel and temp gauges are not working so I took apart the gauge panel to troublshoot. I determined it was the  volt meter on the gauges was bad. So I put everything back together and now my dome light and instrument lights are out and I also burned out the instrument lights somehow during all this.I checked all the screws on the bottom of the headlight switch panel to make sure they are grounded the wiper motor works fine. I don`t know if the dimmer is bad or do I have a ground issue?
I put a testlight in the dimmer switch connection and had no power from any of the 3 female connectors shouldn`t  at least one have power? Which fuse serves the instrument lights? I had one bad 5 amp fuse on top right hand side of fuse block and changed it with no success. I have replaced 2 of the 3 lights in the light bar strip the dome light bulb appears ok and I am unsure of the light above fan switch it was working but maybe I burned that one out too.

 How can I check the dimmer switch to see if it still works? Before I took anything apart apart everything worked fine!




Offline Barracudadan

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 538
Re: instrument lights / dimmer switch issues
« Reply #1 on: June 06, 2011 - 02:30:16 PM »
All right WTF is going on! I take a break for lunch go back out and now my directionals and hazzards don`t work!!!!  :banghead: Did I kill the flasher too? Today started out just wanting to take care of a few odds and ends and get an inspection sticker guess thats not gonna happen now! Some days your just better off not doing anything it seems!

Offline TreeFrog

  • Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 2848
  • Can Ya HEMI Now! If you can't dodge it Ram it!
    • TreeFrog
Re: instrument lights / dimmer switch issues
« Reply #2 on: June 06, 2011 - 02:32:47 PM »
Dude!  DO NOT TOUCH it again .... you have the same issue my Wife does....you touch it and it all falls apart....  :smilielol:

65 Satellite     361 Ruby Red Poly
72 Challenger    360 Top Banana     
73 Challenger    340 Triple Black
87 Dodge Ram     318 Blue
88 Dodge Ram     360 Grey (+)
04 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4.7L Pewter Met.

Offline merlin969

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 143
  • North Carolina
Re: instrument lights / dimmer switch issues
« Reply #3 on: June 06, 2011 - 03:06:26 PM »
My next step would be finding a wiring diagram for your vehicle.  You should be able to figure out whats going or at least rule some stuff out. 

Good luck and chalk it all up to experience.   :grinyes:

Dougy
1972 Challenger, Nothing special. Just mine.

Offline Barracudadan

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 538
Re: instrument lights / dimmer switch issues
« Reply #4 on: June 06, 2011 - 04:08:56 PM »
Dude!  DO NOT TOUCH it again .... you have the same issue my Wife does....you touch it and it all falls apart....  :smilielol:

Yeah this blows everything worked fine untill I messed with it! I just don`t get how my turn signals crapped out I didn`t do anything to them! :pullinghair:

Offline MEK-Dangerfield

  • C-C.com Expert
  • ********
  • Posts: 20946
  • I don't get NO respect! Member since 1/25/2002
Re: instrument lights / dimmer switch issues
« Reply #5 on: June 06, 2011 - 04:31:07 PM »
It sounds like your dimmer switch and turn signal switch are either bad, or the power going to them has somehow gotten disconnected. Do you have a voltmeter?

Mike

1970 Challenger - SOLD
2016 SXT+.  1 of 524 SXT+'s in Plumb-crazy for 2016.

Offline Barracudadan

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 538
Re: instrument lights / dimmer switch issues
« Reply #6 on: June 06, 2011 - 06:26:13 PM »
It sounds like your dimmer switch and turn signal switch are either bad, or the power going to them has somehow gotten disconnected. Do you have a voltmeter?

Hi Mek.Yes I have a voltmeter but the batteries for it were dead so I used a test light. This is where i`m at I ran a ground wire for the panel with the headlight,wiper and dimmer switches I don`t trust that one screw at the bottom left of the switch assembly to make a sufficient ground. I put the test light on the fuse for the hazzards they would work and I could hear the flasher working but when I tried the turn signals this way I got nothing. I still have no instrument lights and at this point I can live without them I just want my turn signals back.
 How do I test the dimmer switch and flasher to see if they work? I would just get another flasher but I hate guessing and replacing parts that may be ok.
Should there be at least one hot wire going to the dimmer when the key is turned? My test bulb didn`t light up on any of the three connections when I checked it.

Offline MEK-Dangerfield

  • C-C.com Expert
  • ********
  • Posts: 20946
  • I don't get NO respect! Member since 1/25/2002
Re: instrument lights / dimmer switch issues
« Reply #7 on: June 06, 2011 - 07:55:15 PM »
No, power would only be going to your dimmer switch when the headlight switch is turned on. This has nothing to do with the ignition switch.

I have to think some more about your flashers.   :screwy:

Mike

1970 Challenger - SOLD
2016 SXT+.  1 of 524 SXT+'s in Plumb-crazy for 2016.

Offline Barracudadan

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 538
Re: instrument lights / dimmer switch issues
« Reply #8 on: June 06, 2011 - 10:06:20 PM »
No, power would only be going to your dimmer switch when the headlight switch is turned on. This has nothing to do with the ignition switch.

I have to think some more about your flashers.   :screwy:

I`ll check for power tomorrow with the head light switch on. I just got back from a night drive with the family for ice cream and out of curiosity I hit the hi-beams and they went out  :scared: kinda scary since we were on a dark winding country road pushed the hi-beam switch a couple times and got the lights back thank god! I just got the car on the road for the first time a few days ago so I guess I have still got some bugs to work out.
I wonder if all these light/electrical issues are related? Everything worked fine untill I took apart the gauge cluster to fix my fuel and temp gauges! I`m really stumped with this! :dunno:

Offline rusty70cuda

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 121
Re: instrument lights / dimmer switch issues
« Reply #9 on: June 15, 2011 - 11:56:46 AM »
sounds like the dimmer switch.

Offline Super Blue 72

  • Permanent Resident
  • *******
  • Posts: 12711
  • "Big 'n Little" Member since 8/9/05
    • Phil's Super Blue '72
Re: instrument lights / dimmer switch issues
« Reply #10 on: June 16, 2011 - 10:23:51 AM »
Slotts (Jim) sells nice dimmer switches!  :2cents:  Decent guy, does good business.  :grinyes:

http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=64880.0
1972 Dodge Challenger Rallye 340, AT, Code TB3=Super Blue, SBD=8/17/1971.  Yes, a Rallye without the fender louvers from the factory because of the body side molding option.

Pic #2 and 3 of my ARII 1/24 scale model car 

Phil in New England-Massachusetts  Always thank God for what you have!

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/456046/1972-dodge-challenger