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Dash Lights???

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S

Sledgehammer

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I'm restoring a 64 MGB. I took it out after dark the other night and noticed I have no dash lights. Every gauge was dark. This is the first time I've had the car out after dark. 1st question... did the 64 have dash lights? And if so, where should I start to diagnose this problem? All other lights were working fine. Is there a circuit for the dash lights or a fuse? My Haynes just mentions 4 fuses under the hood.
 
Yes, you had dash lights. As far as what you're looking for, dash light wires are red with a white tracer. First thing I would do is put new bulbs in (they're cheap, and it's one less thing to worry about. After that, I'd start checking my red and white wires.
 
i doubt this applys to a 64, but ill mention it anyway.. My Midget's dashlights didnt work till i replaced the dimmer switch, if your car has one, you may want to check it

Dr.
 
Ah yesh, the dimmer. A well-known trouble spot. Funny story: My 70 doesn't have a dimmer, just an on-off switch. Took me a week to figure out why I had no dash lights. Switch was off.

You can bypass the dimmer to see if that's the problem.
 
Yep, if you're lucky, you just need to give the dimmer switch (round knob between the tach and speedo) a turn.
 
One more word of advice...the dash lights are not real bright and sometimes it is hard to tell if they are on or not if it isn't real dark. This is normal Lucus mode!

Bruce
cheers.gif
 
Kim...walk him through your tip for increasing power of lights by painting inside of instrument cans white..&, didn't you & Gerry Masterman come up with some optional bulbs that intensify brightness?
 
A lot of people have just jumpered out the rheostat (dimmer) on the Dash. As far as replacement bulbs go, some swear by halogen bulbs, although expensive> I have not seen them myself however. The incandescent replacements which are brighter and last longer than original can be had. The screw base globe type bulb that is used on tach and speedo ( on late cars anyway) can be replace by a "1449" which is a 14 vdc bulb used by train model hobby types. The bayonett (BA-7S base) bulbs can be replaced by a EIKO brand Part number SE1274.

I am personnally experimenting with LEDs but am having trouble finding the LED to replace the Bayonet base bulbs. My goal being to not have to change out the lamp holders, and never have to change another bulb,once I replace them all the first time.


Ed
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[ 10-03-2003: Message edited by: Ed Wynne ]</p>
 
Tony, I'm one of the halogen bulb fans. (Didn't paint the inside of the gauge cans.)

Halogen bulbs are a little pricey, but worth every penny, a far as I'm concerned. I put them in three years ago, and haven't replaced one yet. They are available from Jeff Zorn at Little British Car Co.

And, the halogens from LBCarCo are "plug and play." They fit just like the originals. And they enable you to SEE the guages at night. In fact, my speedo and tach are so bright, my feet are lit up when I'm driving at night. (No underdash liner.)
 
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