E-Bodies.org Cuda Challenger Forum

Technical Shop => Electrical & Audio => Topic started by: usraptor on April 19, 2018, 08:04:39 PM

Title: No dash lights. Need help
Post by: usraptor on April 19, 2018, 08:04:39 PM
Okay, I'll be the first to admit that when it comes to electrical, my knowledge is very limited.  70 Cuda with Rallye dash.  All exterior lights work including turn signals and flashers.  Engine starts and runs fine.  Dash gauges all work including clock.  Interior dome light and door ajar and key buzzer work.  However, I have no dash lights, including the radio light, although the radio and tape player work fine.  I checked the fuse panel and with the key on, all the fuses have power except the uppermost fuse marked instrument which I assume is for the instrument panel lights.  Both sides of the fuse have no power with the ignition and light switch in the on position.  Any ideas about where to look next as to why I'm not getting power to only this one slot on the fuse block while all the others have power?   :help:
Title: Re: No dash lights. Need help
Post by: Chryco Psycho on April 19, 2018, 08:30:38 PM
Likely the dimmer switch is bad , you should have power to the switch from the headlight switch , it goes through a rheostat to the lights , no lights = bad dimmer , talk to Slotts about repairing or replacing it
Title: Re: No dash lights. Need help
Post by: usraptor on April 19, 2018, 10:02:54 PM
Thanks Chryco.  Any way to bench test it?
Title: Re: No dash lights. Need help
Post by: Bullitt- on April 20, 2018, 12:09:09 AM
Quote from: usraptor on April 19, 2018, 10:02:54 PM
Thanks Chryco.  Any way to bench test it?

Ohm out the switch (link below) ... jump the connector to see if lights are functional

https://forum.e-bodies.org/cuda-and-challenger-general-discussion-roseville-moparts/2/instrument-panel-switches/6209/msg88313#msg88313
Title: Re: No dash lights. Need help
Post by: usraptor on April 20, 2018, 06:22:24 AM
Thanks Bulllit- :worship:
Title: Re: No dash lights. Need help
Post by: nsmall on April 20, 2018, 08:28:36 AM
I have no idea where it grounds, but do you have a good ground?
Title: Re: No dash lights. Need help
Post by: dodj on April 21, 2018, 04:15:21 AM
It  grounds through one screw at the bottom of the bezel.   :alan2cents:


Title: Re: No dash lights. Need help
Post by: Adams1stCuda on April 24, 2018, 12:06:30 PM
Though not officially 'restored', mine had the same issue and I took the advice of another person and used some emery cloth sandpaper to clean up all of the contact points while running the switch back and forth...fixed the switch issues.  If this works it should give you power to one side of that accessory fuse.

For me, I then found out that I had an open somewhere from then on.  :tired:
Title: Re: No dash lights. Need help
Post by: Cratos on July 03, 2018, 09:38:50 AM
can you get replacement dimmers?
Title: Re: No dash lights. Need help
Post by: Cudajason on July 03, 2018, 10:04:29 AM
Quote from: Cratos on July 03, 2018, 09:38:50 AM
can you get replacement dimmers?

no, but member @Slotts (https://forum.e-bodies.org/mlist/slotts_104) restores them...probably better then new.

Jason