Dash switches don't illuminate

[RSBob]

Howdy,

None of my dash switches illuminate with either the running or headlights on. The bulbs appear to be fine. Not being an electrical engineer, what is a low tech way to start tracking the problem? I have a test light which registers current....

TIA,
Rick

[pbanders]

The only dash switches that illuminate are the fog light switch, and on later cars, the emergency flasher switch. What year is your car?

[RSBob]

Brad, its a 71. If only the fogs and flasher illuminate, why do the others have bulbs?

[pbanders]

My car's a '70, it has a headlight, fog, emergency flasher, cigar lighter, and windshield wiper switch. Only the fog and flasher have bulbs, neither are illuminated unless pulled out and on. On later cars, the flasher light is on a low setting when the headlights are on, presumably to help you find it in the dark. What other switches have bulbs in your car?

[RSBob]

Brad, you are correct, sir! Initially, I pulled the fog, defroster, and emergency covers and saw bulbs, so preeeeeeeeeeeesumed the others would have them as well. Needless to say the headlight, cigar lighter, and wiper switches don't.

Thanks for the reply.

[Tobra]

Could be bad headlight switch too, do your gauges light up? Try rotating the nob on the headlight switch, righty brighty, lefty, er darker

[RSBob]

Gauges are cool (but never bright enough), just the knobs were the concern. Thanks...

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Check the Tech Article we have about brightening your gauge lights.

Simple version: Clean the sockets, clean up all the plugs in the electrical circut. Use new bulbs. You might be surprised at the difference...

--DD

[RSBob]

Thanks Dave, I will check it out. But now for my dumb-@$$ question - pulling the gauges on the 911 is easy, but the ones in the 914 don't budge. Are they attached by the black rubber ring or are they like the older 911s where they are held in by the back with brackets?

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

The ring holds them in by friction, no brackets or anything. If they don't budge, get your hand behind them and push them out. IIRC, it was easiest to get your hand behind one specific one (speedo?) and push it out, then you could reach in the hole left by that gauge and push the others out.

--DD

[RSBob]

Thanks Dave. I have been wanting to tell you what a great resource you are. You have a wealth of knowledge and are 99.9% right. Don't ever leave Pelican or the board or we will have to hunt you down and bring you back.