Dash Lights

[Sport Dad]

I am having an issue with the dash lights working on my '66 Plymouth Sport Fury. I took out the gauge cluster for the alternator/gas/temp and the speedometer, took off the circuit boards on the back, cleaned them up, replaced the bulbs and soldered the pins to teh copper paths so they have excellent continuity.

I now have the "oil" light coming on when I turn the key to "on" but I don't have dash lights. My alternator and temperature gauge are working as well.

With the "oil" light coming on while the key is in the "on" position, tells me I have power to the circuit board. I've tried the dimmer switch on the headlight knob -- which I am guessing is suppose to brighten/dim the instrumentation lights, correct? Is there a dimmer somewhere I am not finding or has anyone else had this issue and resolved it?
I also got the clock to work, BUT, when it winds, it makes a "nice" buzzing sound. :-(

Charlie

 

[detmatt]

I'm betting your dimmer switch is to blame but let some others chime in.

 

[Sport Dad]

I'm betting your dimmer switch is to blame but let some others chime in.

Well, that's what I am lead to believe and hoping it is. Looking at the schematic, I believe there is two contacts on the headlight that are suppose to have continuity beteen them of some kind when the headlights are turned on but don't. I found a new headlight switch for $10 and I ordered it. Won't be until Friday before it gets here, though.

I've found the previous owner butchered some of the electrical. I was having an issue with my gas gauge not reading. Then I found out the wire had been cut and was laying in the trunk. I've fixed that situation. Also, I've located the "T" connectors for the wires feeding up to the pillar lights but I am unable to find the feed coming from the front area.
I also installed a jumper from the constant hot of the cigarette lighter to the "line" side of the fuse and I got power to my shift plate, clock, temperature/fan/defrost/heater controls and radio. No gauge cluster lights or center console lights. As stated earlier, I KNOW why I don't have my pillar lights coming on.

 

[Sport Dad]

Update! I got the dash lights working!! What a pretty site. I've not seen them work since I purchased "ole Molly". Turns out it was a combination of things-- a new headlight switch was one and then I found that I had to take off the circuit boards on the back of the gauges, clean off the pads, solder the pins to the paths and then, on the little twist in sockets, I had to pull up on the little connecting tabs so they were making a more solid contact with the circuit board. I'm still having a bit of an issue with the lights not coming on when I open the doors or the center console lights not coming on when I turn the lights on with the headlight switch.
Progress is being made, though. I just need to keep plugging along (no pun intended).

 

[commando1]

Glad you solved the main problem and that you're still having fun.

 

[66/440]

If you are talking about the courtesy lights on the console they will only come on when you open a door or turn on the interior lights with the headlamp switch. Have you checked that the plunger switches in the door jambs are getting power and are well grounded?

 

[Sport Dad]

Hey 66/440, I have and I don't have power to them with the doors open. I found a "T" male connector by the drivers side kick panel that comes "hot" when I turn the headlight switch to the point past the brightest setting fit the dash lights. It seems someone before me wired the center console lights wrong because I don't believe I have the ground there. It seems to be two "hots".