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Dash Gauges need backlit

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Dadandson

Dadandson

Jedi Trainee
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1974 Mg Midget and the lights in the dasboard gages are so dim I cannot see the gauges. Can I replace lights? Don't want to pull gauges until I know. Thanks
 
#1 suspect - rheostat. (the dimmer)
Pull the wires off & put them together to see if lights come on full.
 
Amen. My 'stat has been replaced with a simple on/off switch, so I can turn them on when needed (even with the headlights on), and leave them off the rest of the time.
 
I will give it a try. Thanks
 
That is a fairly common problem. I bypassed the 'stat on my B' and the lights actually light up the gauges now. If that does not work, I recall someone posted some brighter bulbs that you can get at Radio Shack. Not sure on the numbers, but you might do a search on them.
 
I replaced the bulbs with halogens.
I got mine from The Little British Car Company (no connection). Now they are as bright as American car gauges.
 
Trick with Speedo and Tach is to pull apart and paint bright white inside. I did it with Bugsy and it worked. Oil Press/Temp and Gas have a white plastic shield in ther that yellows instead of passing light. Both are such a PITA to get in and out I'm happy with just speedo and tach lit at night. Brighter halogen bulbs could not hurt either.
 
Mike H said:
I replaced the bulbs with halogens.
I got mine from The Little British Car Company (no connection). Now they are as bright as American car gauges.
Click to expand...

Are those 'dimmable' Mike?

I've been toying with the idea of LED ones.
 
I have the same dim problem. As far as I know, I don't have a rheostat, just a toggle switch for the lights. I think I'll look into the halogens.
 
Mine is on a little round switch that turns kind of up in the middle of the dash above the speedo I believe. (going out to look now) /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif
 
I am fairly sure that a '66 doesn't have a rheostat but has an on-off switch under the rim or the dash.
Bill
 
On a '68 it is a switch on the left side of the steering column
 
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