Topic: Center instrument cluster lights
in Forum: C3 Electrical
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Lifetime MemberDeBerry, TX - USA
Joined: 2/27/2002
Posts: 1006
Vette(s): 1971 383 Stroker- mille miglia red...5 speed
I noticed yesterday when it got dark that my center intrument cluster lights were out. The speedo and tach still light up, just the center is out. Any ideas where the problem might lie? Is there a seperate fuse for the cluster?
Soon as it warms up outside I'm gonna check it out. Must be about 50 degrees here. (Hey, I can dream, can't I?) It's really about 78 and humid at 9 AM. 
I know the voices aren't real, but they have some pretty cool ideas... 
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Lifetime MemberHOWELL, NJ - USA
Joined: 5/18/2004
Posts: 6812
Vette(s): 1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.
Sounds like a ground issue. I believe thy are on the same fuse. Check your ground wires for the cluster and make sure you have good, clean connections.
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Frederick, MD - USA
Joined: 9/8/2003
Posts: 3398
Vette(s): 1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior
If it's not the ground, it could be the printed circuit behind the gauges might have a break where the power attaches. Those printed circuits are pretty fragile and add age to that, it happens.
Replacement isn't really difficult, but if it is the problem, you can sometimes repair them if careful.
Replacement isn't really difficult, but if it is the problem, you can sometimes repair them if careful.
Lifetime MemberHOWELL, NJ - USA
Joined: 5/18/2004
Posts: 6812
Vette(s): 1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.
Were there PCs in 71?
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Frederick, MD - USA
Joined: 9/8/2003
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Vette(s): 1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior
My mistake...printed circuits didn't come in until about '77. I was thinking of the problem I had with the '78 I owned and had to replace the pc.
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Duncanville, TX - USA
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No PC in da '71, fer sher. 
About half of the sockets for you gauge panel are damaged, remember Dwain?...yer prolly gonna need to replace them.
Some of them may have fallen out again, but it could also be some other problem, such as a fuse. The fuse should be marked as "Inst. Lmps" or something like that.
Adams' Apple 2008-07-06 21:05:32
About half of the sockets for you gauge panel are damaged, remember Dwain?...yer prolly gonna need to replace them.
Some of them may have fallen out again, but it could also be some other problem, such as a fuse. The fuse should be marked as "Inst. Lmps" or something like that.
Joel Adams
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All of the dash/insturment illumination lights are on the same fuse. No printed circuit in 71. But the wiring goes to the bulbs in metal sockets which all ground to the panels that they are mounted into. So the fact the speedo etc lights are on, the fuse is good, the circuit is fed power.
So that takes up back to the bad ground. Look for the ground wire that goes to the metal plate the lights fit in behind the center. If that's good, it could be the other end of that ground wire.
Lifetime MemberDeBerry, TX - USA
Joined: 2/27/2002
Posts: 1006
Vette(s): 1971 383 Stroker- mille miglia red...5 speed
Thanks guys. I'll have to get in my contortionist mode and check the fuses. I opted for a ride today instead. Hey, don't need lights in the daytime anyway, right?
longhorn294 2008-07-06 18:31:47
Joel, I remember some of the light sockets were bad, but I could still see all the gauges ok. Everything in the center is totally dark now. Hope it's just a fuse.
Thanks Ken. I'll be a'checkin that. 
I know the voices aren't real, but they have some pretty cool ideas...
in Forum: C3 Electrical
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