Dash lights 40 deluxe.....

[41panelmark]

Hey guys, I have no dash lights on my new 40 deluxe and that is the project I want to tackle next. I noticed that the dimmer switch on the bottom of the dash is no good and this may be part of the problem but I would appreciate any other advice on the subject.

thank you in advance.

[19Fordy]

Yes, it's probably a bad dimmer switch. Can you use a volt meter and check to see if you have 6V going to the little dimmer switch?

If you have 6V going to the dimmer switch use an alligator clipped wire to bypass the dimmer switch. That will give to 6V directly to the dash light bulbs.

I'm not an electrical whiz but, I think that would work.

[slowforty]

try by passing the dimmer switch

[fortyonerag]

As others have said, bypass the switch. Check both globes as well. They earth through the base so they won't work when you pull them out.

[Merc Cruzer]

Originally Posted by 41panelmark

Hey guys, I have no dash lights on my new 40 deluxe and that is the project I want to tackle next. I noticed that the dimmer switch on the bottom of the dash is no good and this may be part of the problem but I would appreciate any other advice on the subject.

thank you in advance.

You might want to try to spray WD-40 electrical cleaner on the rheostat portion of the switch, then cycle it numerous times to see if it just needs cleaning.

[19Fordy]

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Try a new switch. Same price as DRAKE.
https://thirdgenauto.com/product/new...dimmer-switch/

[deuce_roadster]

You can take a female bullet connecter and connect the 2 wires taking the switch out of the circuit, this way they will come on at their brightest when you turn the headlights on and the wire connection will be insulated. Even then they will seem dim. I don't see a need to ever dim them if stock.

[19Fordy]

deuce roadster makes an excellent point.

[Merc Cruzer]

Originally Posted by deuce_roadster

You can take a female bullet connecter and connect the 2 wires taking the switch out of the circuit, this way they will come on at their brightest when you turn the headlights on and the wire connection will be insulated. Even then they will seem dim. I don't see a need to ever dim them if stock.

Swapping the original bulbs for LED might be a good option.

[JayChicago]

Tried to go LED in the dash on my '40. Got a 6V LED listed to fit the car, but the "bulb" part was too long to fit in this particular instrument panel. LEDs are great, but the industry is still evolving, nothing standardized yet. Finding the right LED for the application can be hit or miss.

[Merc Cruzer]

Originally Posted by JayChicago

Tried to go LED in the dash on my '40. Got a 6V LED listed to fit the car, but the "bulb" part was too long to fit in this particular instrument panel. LEDs are great, but the industry is still evolving, nothing standardized yet. Finding the right LED for the application can be hit or miss.

I have had good luck with ledlight.com in Phoenix, AZ:


https://www.ledlight.com/g18-s25-2_6...-polarity.aspx