My instrument cluster lights in my 65 fastback have been going in and out, and now they final have quit working. A buddy of mine said that it is the headlight switch. My headlights and taillights work though. I used to be able to turn the dimming **** so that they were all the way bright and theyd come on, but now, nothing. Is the headlight switch my problem, and if so whats the best way of taking the old one out and putting a new in? Any suggestions/recomendations welcomed, thanks!

 

It is the head light switch

 

+1. Sure sounds like a headlight switch.

Unscrew the dash panel and pull out slightly. Reach behind and unhook the speedometer cable. Then you can pull the gage cluster out further and move towards the pass side for access.

From here you can see the headlight switch through the dash on the left. Reach in and pull the connector loose from the switch and lay it back. Then loosen the bezel holding the switch against the dash.

Get a new switch first and study it to see how it fits the dash.

 

I have the same problem-replaced headlight switch and still no dash lights. How do I trace the wire to the circut board etc. to find out if it's getting "juice"-- or whta is the wire color;all the gauges work Thanks.
Tom

 

Just because you put a replacement switch it doens't mean the switch isn't bad. Here is how it works. On the switch there is a plastic wheel inside that wheel you'll find what looks like a spring bent into a circular shape. There should be a metal prong that rides on the spring. Basically that prong supplies power to the dash lights and the location of that pin on the spring determines how much power the dash lights get. Thats how it dims and gets brighter. Now, be carefull that metal prong (usually copper) can easily be bent to where it won't touch that spring. There for no power to dash lights. I've seen brand new ones bent out of shape. Just simply (but carefully) put some bend in the prong so it rides that spring. It doens't take much just a good contact. Most likely that prong will have a little ball looking shape on the end of it. Try to get that part of the prong to touch the spring.

Here is a pic to help

[IMG]local://upfiles/53211/B9EBE59D4D9C4D45BDDC2DDAE9B7E66E.jpg[/IMG]

 

Um, have you checked the fuse?

Before doing all of the above, try that simple check. On the 67, the instrument lights fuse is the super tiny fuse in the fuse box. If the fuse is OK, then hook up a light tester to see if juice is getting to the fuse when you turn the light switch on. Stick the tester on both sides of the fuse with the light switch on. If you don't get juice when the switch is on, then it's the switch. If you're getting juice there, then your problem is not the switch, but rather a poor connection or short somewhere further up the chain close to the instrument panel - that was the problem with the 67.

 

Yeah, I should have mentioned the fuse. I assumed that it was already checked. Sometimes its the simple things we pound our head against a wall because of.

 

Thanks for the info; I traced it back to the hot side of the fuse. Did some tinkering and got it to work. Also got wiring diagram from past website forum which really helps. Now all I have to do is get rid of the new switch that's not returnable. Thanks. again.

 

I have the same problem on a 66 mustang replaced blown headlite fuse and headlite switch everything works but the console lites.Checked both sides of fuse its hot at the top would love to know what you did to fix this.thanks

 

Seeing how he hasn't posted in 7.5 years, I doubt he's coming back.