Dash lights not working

[skin_dog]

Hey guys and gals,

So this is my latest problem, among others. All my dash lights stopped working at the same time, so i gather its something wrong with the switch. Once this happens can it be fixed or does the whole headlight switch now need replacing? Any info on how the switch actually functions would be great so when i pull it out and have a look i've got a bit of an idea of what i'm looking for.
Cheers

[stinky]

If it's anything like the FE/FC switch the dimmer part of the switch may be the problem, try running the dimmer up and down a few times and see if they light up at all.

[Trev]

Blown fuse?

[Devilrod]

If it's anything like the FE/FC switch the dimmer part of the switch may be the problem, try running the dimmer up and down a few times and see if they light up at all.

Mine does this everytime I turn on my lights I give it a little twist and on come the dash lights. Check nothing is loose on the fuse box too.

[skin_dog]

Mine used to do exactly what you said DR, but now the twist doesn't even help. Fuses are all good also. How does the dimmer mechanism work?

[wbtonner]

The problem with the switches is that they use a rheostat (wire wound resistor wire) with a contact on the shaft that turns with the switch knob.
As you turn the knob the contact moves over the resistance wire and either increases or decreases the voltage to the lights.

If you pull out the light switch you can usually give the wire and the contact a clean to make a better contact (you will see where the contact has been touching the wire). This is why turning the shaft back and forth a few times usually makes the lights works.

Also the contact that rotates on the shaft becomes less tight against the wire due to old age and use, check to see if there is good contact using a meter or a check light. If contact is bad try flexing it to get a better contact.

[skin_dog]

Thanks mate, couldn't ask for a better description

[skin_dog]

Hey wb! I'm revisiting this post 'cos i'm having the same problem on a different car.

So i pulled the switch out and had a look. This rheostat wire you speak of....is it the coiled wire (looks like a spring) that sits in a semi-circular channel in the porcelain piece? If so i assume that it's meant to start at one pop-rivet-looking terminal, then go around the shaft in the porcelain channel, and connect to the other pop-rivet-looking terminal on the other side? Correct?

[Blacky]

Yep.

[skin_dog]

thanks Blacky. Even though said wire was broken in half i stretched it around and hooked it in place. I wasn't expecting it to work but to my surprise i have dash lights!......for now...

[Blacky]

The rheostat is just for dimming , if you short both ends of it together you will have dash lights full brightness and should last as long as the contacts inside the switch do ........