1976 242 Dash lights

Nammy

Hello.. I’m hoping to solve the issue of why my instrument cluster lights don’t turn on this weekend. With key on, all the indicators on the cluster lights up. I know when I had my 81 there was a knob that controlled the lighting of the cluster lights, is there something like this on my early dashboard? Any help would be appreciated! What all do I need to do to remove my cluster?

ramrod

There is a rheostat (dimmer switch for instrumentation illumination) and the knob is on the centre console below the clock.

If the rheostat fails or the fuse blows you will not have any lamps working.

Check this first.

jamesinc

ramrod seconded, it is almost always the rheostat. You can bypass it easily, will just mean you don't have adjustable brightness (not like it's that bright on full brightness though).

Otherwise it's possible all three dash lights have blown. They will be powered by one of the grey wires coming off the back of the rheostat.

Nammy

jamesinc how does one bypass it?

dmc

If I remember correctly there will be two spade connectors. Put a 2 or 5 amp blade fuse in there, push the terminals onto the fuse. If the terminals are in a plastic housing then gently remove one by sliding a super small flat blade screwdriver into the open end of the terminal (look it up, tough to explain). Use the fuse with one leg in the plastic housing and one in the terminal you removed. This leaves the connector in place for when you find a replacement rheostat :-)

jamesinc

dmc what he said! Or a short length of wire with a male spade terminal on both ends.