1983 K5 Dash Light ID

[PaulZ]

I'm working on my dash lights but not sure if a couple of these light are night lights, warning lights or what. Starting at far right, that white socket with the black wire coming out I'm reading is a fiber optic ash tray light? The next two close to each other are the ones I'm not sure about. The one over from those I think is a dash light, then the one above the speedo is a dash light as is the one above the wiring plug. So what about the two in question, they can't both be dash lights, right?

 

[paratrooper307]

They all use the same bulb, but do different things. You've got the night lights that come on at night and then you've got warning lights. At the bottom of the speedo and fuel gauge are two lights each that are side by side. I don't have my dash in front of me, but on that vintage I believe those lights are brake, 4wd, seatbelt, and choke.

 

[PaulZ]

Yep, I think that's right. Had to order some sockets. Thanks!

 

[Blue85]

Borrowed from another site. This seems to be a 70's cluster.

 

[PaulZ]

Thanks guys. I pulled my gauge cluster part way out and got all the lights working. But, I can't the (*&&*(^ speedo cable back on. Am I supposed to depress the tang thingy at the same time I push, or is the square drive just not lining up? I have moved the truck a couple times to change it but still no go. I hate working on dashboards..

 

[frankin5]

It just pushes back on, only depress to remove

 

[dyeager535]

BTW, they are not all the same bulbs. 194 and 168's (different watts depending on position), and you'll see that some clusters are melted due to them.

 

[diesel4me]

BTW, they are not all the same bulbs. 194 and 168's (different watts depending on position), and you'll see that some clusters are melted due to them.

Huh...all the bulb catalogs just listed the 168 bulbs as "fleet or heavy duty" replacements for a 194 bulb, back when I sold parts.

The 168's are a bit higher wattage than a 194 but not very much,I had some burnt dash clusters that had 194 bulbs in them too.I think it was the plastic more than the bulbs that caused the burnt look..
I recall putting 168's in my '72 K5 cluster and I was actually able to see the gauges at night for the first time..some were burnt out..

 

[PaulZ]

Oh boy, I finally got my speedo cable back in. There was a wire stuck in the locking tang dingus I couldn't see. Now I have to check the bulbs! Are you supposed to be able to change all these bulbs with the dash assembled?

 

[diesel4me]

I've been able too,but I have skinny hands and long fingers--its a struggle to reach some of them,and get the sockets to twist lock into place,but it can be done if your hands aren't too big..the steering colum and wiring has to be right in your way,of course..

 

[PaulZ]

Argh, every time I fix a dash light another goes out. Going to buy all new bulbs and do them all. Any merit to the aftermarket/LEDs?

 

[dyeager535]

Argh, every time I fix a dash light another goes out. Going to buy all new bulbs and do them all. Any merit to the aftermarket/LEDs?

Some can get the LEDs to dim,some cannot. You can put a cheap pwm dimmer in there, but unless you want to modify the dash, you set it and forget it at whatever brightness you want.

I've been told (and it makes sense to me) that you want the dimmest lighting possible at night. Our clusters aren't really good with dim lighting,but multiple smd LED bulbs do a decent job. Some of the new ones that look like yellow single, large LEDs might disperse light even better.

 

[Blue85]

Are the bulbs burning out or are the sockets losing contact with the flex circuit? Bulb failure isn't a huge issue as they can go for a decade. The socket to flex circuit business is problematic, though.

 

[PaulZ]

I don't think the bulb are burning out. To get my meat hooks on these buggers I have to remove speedo cable and slide the cluster out, must be goofing something up. I think I'll stick with the regular bulbs.