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Topic: '78 Instrument panel lighting

in Forum: C3 Electrical


'78 Instrument panel lighting

Posted: 11/22/04 1:43pm Message 1 of 9
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Old Hickory, TN - USA
Joined: 5/26/2003
Posts: 599
Vette(s): 1978 L-82 Silver Anniversary hotrod. /////////////
The high beam indicator and the right turn signal indicator on my '78 do not illuminate. It get embarassing to have oncoming traffic blast me with their high beams. Does anyone have ay hints for easy access to these little bulbs, if indeed the culprit is burned out bulbs. At 6'2" and 220 lbs it is a pain in the butt to even think of crawling under the dash.

Does anyone have any hints to make access down there easier?

Dave Westerman
Nashville, TN
|ohwell|


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'78 Instrument panel lighting

Posted: 11/22/04 2:56pm Message 2 of 9
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Newark, DE - USA
Joined: 7/26/2004
Posts: 468
Vette(s): 1968 Conv, 454HO,500HP-600TQ, TKO-600,3:70 HD rear,hotrod air, custom paint & suspension,1973 Ruby Red,T-top, 383 Stroker, TK)-500,frame off restro, 1967 Dodge Coronet, 340 stroker to 406, Dana 60
I'm not sure if the 78 is the same as the 68, but I can take the top dash off & reach my hand down to grab the lights. It's not hard just a few screws & some careful pulling & twisting. Going in from the bottom is almost impossible.
Alan


                                               

'78 Instrument panel lighting

Posted: 11/22/04 3:43pm Message 3 of 9
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CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH - USA
Joined: 12/2/2003
Posts: 6424
Vette(s): 1975 C3 Red, T-Tops, Black Interior. All I need is time and money! Getting there!
Just be sure the dash is warm. To remove the top pad requires flexing it a bit. Cold ones will crack.


'78 Instrument panel lighting

Posted: 11/22/04 6:21pm Message 4 of 9
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Old Hickory, TN - USA
Joined: 5/26/2003
Posts: 599
Vette(s): 1978 L-82 Silver Anniversary hotrod. /////////////
I just checked and it looks like the top of the '768 dash does not come off, looks to be the complete dash is in one piece... Nuts!! Might just have to live with it...

Dave


'78 Instrument panel lighting

Posted: 11/22/04 6:23pm Message 5 of 9
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Joined: 10/21/2003
Posts: 1220
Pretty sure you need to go in from the front. Lower the steering column slightly and you need to pull the speedo/tach cluster. Bulb is in the printed circuit.
Dash pads in the 78s up are different from the early years.
Look up tach repair in the forums and I know there are some good explanations for removal, but the hardest part is probably getting to the speedometer cable to release it.
Mike


'78 Instrument panel lighting

Posted: 11/22/04 6:59pm Message 6 of 9
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Syracuse, NY - USA
Joined: 8/1/2003
Posts: 693
Vette(s): ...
The 78 instrument panel is all one piece. you have to remove almost everything to get it out. Haynes has a whole page on it in chapter 11 section 12. |cheers| |wavey| |saluteflag|


'78 Instrument panel lighting

Posted: 11/22/04 7:10pm Message 7 of 9
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Frederick, MD - USA
Joined: 9/8/2003
Posts: 3398
Vette(s): 1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior
Taking the cluster out in a '78 isn't tough...you just have to be careful. Take the small retaining piece out from under the steering column so it can be moved down a bit, take the cluster bezel screws out and remove the clear bezel, then the screws that hold the cluster itself. Pull it carefully out enough to get your hand behind and disconnect the speedometer cable. After that the whole cluster should be able to remove by angling it out from behind the steering wheel.

One suggestion...change all the light bulbs in the back of the cluster...they're all the same age so do it now rather than have to repeat the whole process.


'78 Instrument panel lighting

Posted: 11/23/04 11:45am Message 8 of 9
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BINGHAMTON, NY - USA
Joined: 7/19/2003
Posts: 3808
Vette(s): ......
that goes for just about everything on an old Vette,once youve got it apart,replace everything that might go bad.bulbs ,fuses,wires ,screws,cables,bodies,frames,motors,transmissions,ah well ,you get the point.A Corvette is just a bottomless,Fiberglass hole into which you pour endless amounts of money into,just for the thrill of being able too say you have one |smile| |biggrin| |cool| |wavey| |blinkyeyes| |cheers|


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'78 Instrument panel lighting

Posted: 11/23/04 12:05pm Message 9 of 9
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Old Hickory, TN - USA
Joined: 5/26/2003
Posts: 599
Vette(s): 1978 L-82 Silver Anniversary hotrod. /////////////
Well.... That doesn't sound all that bad, and you can bet I will replace everything that's replaceable.

Thanks for the info!!

Dave


in Forum: C3 Electrical


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