Gauge lighting??

[gtfireftr]

I think my dash gauge lights are not working!!
I move the dimmer and nothing happens. Just dark.
I do not know, however if there is a switch that needs to be energized to fed the dimmer.
I thought perhaps the nav lights, but no luck there either.
Any thoughts??
i find it hard to believe all the bulbs are blown.

Thanks

 

[BryanOnTheBay]

I think my dash gauge lights are not working!!
I move the dimmer and nothing happens. Just dark.
I do not know, however if there is a switch that needs to be energized to fed the dimmer.
I thought perhaps the nav lights, but no luck there either.
Any thoughts??
i find it hard to believe all the bulbs are blown.

Thanks

You have the running lights on? That energizes the dash light circuit.

And it is possible that everything is out. The switches are lit by one luminescent strip powered by a 100v transformer in the dimmer, and the incandescents they used originally in the gauges and switch lights burn out, or, in the case of the gauges, the contacts corrode. Do a quick search on backlighting and you will find a good 20 threads in the topic that also link to a bunch more. This has been discussed pretty well and there is a lot of information available in the forums.

Bryan

 

[gtfireftr]

Okay, upon further review.... with a lot of research completed I do have gauge lights.... incandescent lights work.....
Nothing works on the strip lights though....I looked for the "box" but could not find anything like it...... Is it mounted, or just hanging?
Thanks in advance

 

[Strecker25]

Okay, upon further review.... with a lot of research completed I do have gauge lights.... incandescent lights work.....
Nothing works on the strip lights though....I looked for the "box" but could not find anything like it...... Is it mounted, or just hanging?
Thanks in advance

I believe I have the same issue in our 98. I don't get the gauge lights or strip lights at all. I'm assuming they're supposed to come on with the nav lights?

 

[magstang1]

Yes. Nav lights turn on panel backlighting and gauge lights.

 

[Strecker25]

FYI I fixed ours by cutting off the connections at the dimmer and reattaching using new crimp connectors.

I traced starting at the gauges and found the rheostat was getting power but not outputting. Must have been oxidized connections, or just loose.

 

[rdevans]

Can you buy the bulbs that go in the gauges? If so, where?