my dash lights burn out

[melhilburn]

Ive dealing with this with no luck -I have a 64 with the original wiring harness - my dash has guages - My blinker lights work no problem - But when I replace all other dash lights they burn out in less than an hour??? - I have installed a ground with from the back of the dash to the brake pedal structure - Adny ideas what could be going on???

[71K20chevy]

What bulbs are you using? Typically 168 bulbs give the most light without putting out TOO much heat.

[1963c-10]

Id check and make sure the right fuse is in there also. Real common to find PO's just throw in whatever they had laying around. Might not hurt to check the connection where the cluster and main harness meet also.

[MacsGTO]

It's going to be a grounding problem. I would check all of the light buckets and make sure nothing is corroded or shorting out to the panel housing. Plus make sure whatever grounds you already have are connected tightly and are on bare metal that is clean. Your power is dumping into the lights themselves and without a path to follow it's causing them to burn out.

[jonathan-m]

Originally Posted by MacsGTO

It's going to be a grounding problem. I would check all of the light buckets and make sure nothing is corroded or shorting out to the panel housing. Plus make sure whatever grounds you already have are connected tightly and are on bare metal that is clean. Your power is dumping into the lights themselves and without a path to follow it's causing them to burn out.

This is correct, I had the very same issue. I would replace bulbs and they'd burn out on the first drive, turned out to be grounding issues.

[melhilburn]

Cold you help me with a simple grounding solution - electric is my weakest link - Never have figured it out

[MacsGTO]

Sure. Do you have a wiring schematic already? If not do a search on here and you'll find one. They are readily available. That will be step one. Let us know when you're ready for step 2.
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[melhilburn]

ok wil do - It will most likely be after 1:00 pm today

[melhilburn]

ok I found a 1964 color wiring diagram

[TBONE1964]

Do you have a volt meter? Can you check voltage (engine running) athe battery post and see what you get.

If it is over 14 volts, then your voltage regulator may be stuck and overcharging the battery. This is not something that dash light like.

If your wiring is good and grounds are clean and tight then an over voltage issue may be what you are looking for.

Just my thoughts.

[melhilburn]

I think the problem is the dash lights I have been installing are 7 volt not 12 volt - I just discovered this today - will try to find the correct lights and report back,

['63GENIII]

That will defintely give you the results you are getting. Once you have the right voltage bulbs, I'm certain they will last longer

[melhilburn]

Well looks like I've soved the problem - thanks for all the help - I wold like to learn how to work with a wiring diagram so any hints you can give me please let em fly

[melhilburn]

My dome lihgt still isn't working - I have no idea what the probelm is - if I put a jumper on it the bulb is good? - Cold I just have a bad light swith?

[luvbowties]

Originally Posted by melhilburn

My dome lihgt still isn't working - I have no idea what the probelm is - if I put a jumper on it the bulb is good? - Cold I just have a bad light swith?

Could have. With battery connected & bulb removed, test each bulb-terminal for volts--one should have 12 volts at all times. The knob on the switch merely controls and supplies ground to the other terminal. If you have volts at one terminal, insert bulb and ground the other terminal: if bulb is good, it should light up.
hth,
sam