Dash Cluster and Lights

[samkost]

Hello All, I'm new here and could use some help and advice !!

I have a 1972 C10 that I am slowly restoring.
I rebuilt/cleaned/painted the dash gauge cluster with a new circuit board a while back and everything worked when I reinstalled the cluster.
Now the gauges on the right side of the dash will not light up (Gas and Oil Pressure are out) and the lights that are working are dim.
Replaced the bulbs, still a no go. Also the high beam indicator light is out.
My question is, if one bulb is out, will it effect the rest of the light circuitry?
Do all the bulbs need to be working for all the lights to work?
Will an old headlight switch be the culprit?
Bad new circuit board?

Any simple tests or help would be appreciated?

Great site and information

Thanks, Sam

[TBONE1964]

The answer to the question "My question is, if one bulb is out, will it effect the rest of the light circuitry?" is no. The bulbs work independently of each other and you can have only one working if the other 3 fail.

Did you get the ground screws in the circuit board tight on both sides? What you are describing sounds like a ground problem.

Have you tried swapping the bulb/sockets around to see if there is a pattern?

Chances are there is nothing wrong with the new circuit board as long as you have it grounded to the tin well. Any paint on the connection points will cause a problem.

What happens when you use the dimmer on the headlight switch to dim the dash lights up and down?

Keep us posted.
Take care,
Tom

[samkost]

Tom,

Great tips to try and troubleshoot my Cluster.

I will remove the Gauge Cluster and check everything you mentioned.

Part of the fun and learning process for these great trucks.

I will check to see if the dimmer is working properly.

Yes, I thought about changing/replacing the original Light Switch.

Any particular brand, part number or vendor to get a quality replacement part?

Thanks for your reply and help.

Sam

[TBONE1964]

Originally Posted by samkost

Tom,

Great tips to try and troubleshoot my Cluster.

I will remove the Gauge Cluster and check everything you mentioned.

Part of the fun and learning process for these great trucks.

I will check to see if the dimmer is working properly.

Yes, I thought about changing/replacing the original Light Switch.

Any particular brand, part number or vendor to get a quality replacement part?

Thanks for your reply and help.

Sam

Hi Sam,

I cannot say I have ever bought a headlight switch from a parts source but I would check with Napa. There Ecklin brand has always produced good electrical parts from my experience. Other than that, may some others can chime in with there own experience.

Good luck and let me know how it turns out.
Take care,
Tom