Replacement headlight switch?

[87Skier]

I've been working on my wiring and just started working on the cab and dash lights. Everything is in progress but I wanted to check and make sure you guys agreed before wasting money.

I swapped my headlights on my 72 GMC over to relays, and never got a chance to test the interior lighting before starting on the project. The headlights work perfectly, as well as the marker lights. The dash lights are really dim and I have to fiddle with the knob to even get them to illuminate.

Should I replace the switch? Or is this a ground issue?

I'm not to concerned about burning up a replacement switch since the headlights are relayed.

Thanks
Travis

[LockDoc]

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I would say that the rheostat on the headlight switch is dirty or corroded. A new switch is probably in order. You can take the switch out and clean it but they are not too expensive. Here is a good thread on removing the switch with a picture of the release button for the knob.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=571296

You may know about the release button already but a lot of people try to unscrew or pull the knob off instead of using the release button. I pull the knob out to the Park position before pushing the release button down, then pull the knob and shaft out.

There is also a ground wire for the cluster (shown in picture) that can lose contact but if your gauges are working OK that probably isn't a factor.

LockDoc

[87Skier]

That's a good tip on removing the knob, I didn't have any real trouble with this when I pulled the gauges.

I suspected that was the cluster ground. I'm not sure I really like the clip on style. I did check to see if this was an issue and ran a wire straight to the battery. Looked the same.

I will be replacing the switch, any brands to avoid or any that people recommend?

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by 87Skier

That's a good tip on removing the knob, I didn't have any real trouble with this when I pulled the gauges.

I suspected that was the cluster ground. I'm not sure I really like the clip on style. I did check to see if this was an issue and ran a wire straight to the battery. Looked the same.

I will be replacing the switch, any brands to avoid or any that people recommend?

I don't remember for sure but I think I got my last one at NAPA...

LockDoc

[MARKDTN]

Originally Posted by 87Skier

..I will be replacing the switch, any brands to avoid or any that people recommend?

I would find a genuine Delco switch. If not, at least I would stay away from AutoZone and Advance. NAPA is probably OK.

[POPO1984]

ecklin is pretty good from my experience

[serge]

[

I have same problem and new switch did not help.
Was curious if you replaced switch and now have brighter dash lights.
Thanks.


QUOTE=87Skier;6921275]That's a good tip on removing the knob, I didn't have any real trouble with this when I pulled the gauges.

I suspected that was the cluster ground. I'm not sure I really like the clip on style. I did check to see if this was an issue and ran a wire straight to the battery. Looked the same.

I will be replacing the switch, any brands to avoid or any that people recommend?[/QUOTE]

[87Skier]

I ended up replacing the switch. The spring in the switch that controls the brightness was completely broken. My lights are about as bright as I would expect them to be. Very difficult to see in the daylight but pretty bright at night.

I would think you might need to clean your grounds and copper connectors on the back of the cluster.

Are the lights intermittent or just dim?

[serge]

They appear to be dim all the time. At dusk and night hard to see the gauges. Maybe that's the way they were years ago.
I will be checking ground and connections.
Hope to find something.
Thanks for your time.

[hotroddin]

Serge, have you checked your bulbs? My first 71 was really dim like you're describing and I only had 2 bulbs that worked.

[hdff]

Originally Posted by MARKDTN

I would find a genuine Delco switch. If not, at least I would stay away from AutoZone and Advance. NAPA is probably OK.

I bought a new delco switch and after installing it my turn signals didn't work right, so I reinstalled the old one. Got it from Wes but it being an electrical part I didn't even try to return//exchange it

[VetteVet]

You guys can bypass the headlight switch by simply jumping from the HEI unfused terminal on the fuse panel to the PNL lights fuse in the panel. The lights should light up as bright as they are going to get unless there's a poor ground on the cluster or a poor connection on the gray wire on pin 8 of the connector. Make sure the fuse holders are clean and tight on the fuse.

The key has to be on to power the HEI unfused terminal BTW.

[serge]

Yes, I did change the bulbs.
Was hoping that was problem but it was not.
Thanks.

Originally Posted by hotroddin

Serge, have you checked your bulbs? My first 71 was really dim like you're describing and I only had 2 bulbs that worked.

[Steve Cole]

Originally Posted by VetteVet

You guys can bypass the headlight switch by simply jumping from the HEI unfused terminal on the fuse panel to the PNL lights fuse in the panel. The lights should light up as bright as they are going to get unless there's a poor ground on the cluster or a poor connection on the gray wire on pin 8 of the connector. Make sure the fuse holders are clean and tight on the fuse.

The key has to be on to power the HEI unfused terminal BTW.

Hey VetteVet,
Where is the "HEI unfused terminal?" Thanks,