Gauge Lights on Dash really dim.

[garydan]

I can't see my gauges at night. The backlight is super dim, almost totally dark. I've turned the headlight switch but I get no changes. Could it be a bad bulb? Has anyone else had this problem and what was your solution? How many bulbs are in there?

Thanks!

 

[NorCal_Chris]

mine were almost nil. I pulled the cluster out and only a few bulbs were working. That may be your issue

 

[plumber mike]

mine were almost nil. I pulled the cluster out and only a few bulbs were working. That may be your issue

That, and the one's that do work probably have a thick coating of dust on them. Clean the metal on the housing where it slides against the circuit thingy too.

 

[Randy92782]

Pull all the gauges and paint a coat of chrome paint on the housing where the gauges go. It'll reflect better and give better light

 

[badmix]

How hard is it to pull the cluster and get to the bulbs. This is the one area I havent monkeyed with on my truck. Id like to change all my bulbs cuz im sure there is mega dust on them. Hmm, anyone done a pictorial DIY/ How to?

 

[mrgrim]

I just took my cluster out and it was my first time. I replaced every bulb and cleaned every thing and its still dim. I think I may pay up and get brite LED bulbs. Pulling the cluster is not hard but I had to wiggle mine alot to get it out of the dash. Also my speed-o cable had no slack so I had to reach up from under the dash and un clip it.
Its not bad just be careful.

 

[garydan]

I just took my cluster out and it was my first time. I replaced every bulb and cleaned every thing and its still dim. I think I may pay up and get brite LED bulbs. Pulling the cluster is not hard but I had to wiggle mine alot to get it out of the dash. Also my speed-o cable had no slack so I had to reach up from under the dash and un clip it.
Its not bad just be careful.

If you find any part numbers... post them up...

 

[BGKYK5]

Here is some more info.

 

[Teck]

It's not that hard to take apart. Just take a few pic as you go so you can look back if you need to get it all back the same.




It does help to paint chrome, also put all new bulbs in. But when I put relays on the headlamps so they don't power thru the switch that seem to make the biggest difference.

 

[noJeepshere]

How hard is it to pull the cluster and get to the bulbs. This is the one area I havent monkeyed with on my truck. Id like to change all my bulbs cuz im sure there is mega dust on them. Hmm, anyone done a pictorial DIY/ How to?

It's easy, just take the dash off. Remove all the screws that hold the dash bezel in place, and you can see the screws that hold the gauge cluster in. You can pull it out partway to get to the speedo cable and plug for the cluster. After that, it just comes out and you can figure it out from there.

 

[broncoman6524]

If you're feeling frisky (and spendy) you can get these little LED lights to replace the factory 168 bulbs.