Mystery dash light identification - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

92470 · 12-31-2006, 01:39 PM

This weekend I was replacing a couple burnt out dash lights in my 71' Cheyenne. When I pulled out one that was burnt out, I noticed that it wasn't like all the others that are just the black twist in's.

This one had a male prong factory attached to the back of it, but there wasn't a lead running into it. My dash has all guages by the way, but no tach. Everything seems to work, so what is the purpose of this prong, and is something supposed to be attached to it? It is located in the middle left of the dash. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

70c10 · 12-31-2006, 02:31 PM

That is for the fiber optic shifter light. When the bulb is lit up, it sends the light thru the fiber optic strands to the little orange indicator behind your shifter pointer lense. You are missing the fiber optic part. This is an old post showing the complete assembly:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ht=fiber+optic

A couple of tips: When you find one, cut the very tips of the strands nice and uniform where it attaches to the pointer. Remove the old orange paint from the pointer and touch it up with a fresh thin coat of orange. It will look great during the day and at night!.

byrd · 12-31-2006, 03:26 PM

I have the set up for sale for $20 shipped if you need it, here is the for sale thread
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=216642

92470 · 12-31-2006, 04:09 PM

Thanks for the information. This is very interesting. I'm going to have to look at my column again, I never noticed that before! It does have the bulb that works inside of the column that shines up on the gear indicator. I never knew there was anything more. I have a factory tilt column and it looks like the one you have is for a non-tilt. Any ideas where I can find a set up for a factory tilt?

MT1972cheyenne · 12-31-2006, 05:30 PM

The factory tilt doesn't use it.

Bob Moore · 01-01-2007, 02:36 AM

92470 - just when you get it figured out they change the rules on you. The tilt columns use a regular bulb and wire - not a fiber optic.

These old trucks are always fun and even after 15 years of fooling around with them I still learn new things.

I see were you have 14 posts so let me say welcome from SUNNY Washington - Bob

12-31-2006, 01:39 PM	#1
92470 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Maple Grove, MN Posts: 149	Mystery dash light identification This weekend I was replacing a couple burnt out dash lights in my 71' Cheyenne. When I pulled out one that was burnt out, I noticed that it wasn't like all the others that are just the black twist in's. This one had a male prong factory attached to the back of it, but there wasn't a lead running into it. My dash has all guages by the way, but no tach. Everything seems to work, so what is the purpose of this prong, and is something supposed to be attached to it? It is located in the middle left of the dash. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

12-31-2006, 02:31 PM	#2
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,856	Re: Mystery dash light identification That is for the fiber optic shifter light. When the bulb is lit up, it sends the light thru the fiber optic strands to the little orange indicator behind your shifter pointer lense. You are missing the fiber optic part. This is an old post showing the complete assembly:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ht=fiber+optic A couple of tips: When you find one, cut the very tips of the strands nice and uniform where it attaches to the pointer. Remove the old orange paint from the pointer and touch it up with a fresh thin coat of orange. It will look great during the day and at night!. __________________ Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Redneck Performance Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 Performer RPM Air-Gap 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262 with 1.6 Crane Energizers, Road Demon 625 and Brodix IK 180 heads Last edited by 70c10; 12-31-2006 at 02:43 PM.

12-31-2006, 04:09 PM	#4
92470 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Maple Grove, MN Posts: 149	Re: Mystery dash light identification Thanks for the information. This is very interesting. I'm going to have to look at my column again, I never noticed that before! It does have the bulb that works inside of the column that shines up on the gear indicator. I never knew there was anything more. I have a factory tilt column and it looks like the one you have is for a non-tilt. Any ideas where I can find a set up for a factory tilt?

12-31-2006, 05:30 PM	#5
MT1972cheyenne Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Montana Posts: 223	Re: Mystery dash light identification The factory tilt doesn't use it.

01-01-2007, 02:36 AM	#6
Bob Moore Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Tacoma WA Posts: 1,365	Re: Mystery dash light identification 92470 - just when you get it figured out they change the rules on you. The tilt columns use a regular bulb and wire - not a fiber optic. These old trucks are always fun and even after 15 years of fooling around with them I still learn new things. I see were you have 14 posts so let me say welcome from SUNNY Washington - Bob __________________ 67 C-20 LWB, tilt, speed alert, vac, 454, T400 67 C-10 SWB, factory air with more to follow Last edited by Bob Moore; 01-01-2007 at 02:37 AM.

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