Auto tranny gear indicator light - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

shuttermutt · 01-12-2004, 02:31 PM

Is the stock gear indicator on the column of an automatic truck supposed to light up in any way? Just curious.

**CPNE** · 01-12-2004, 02:33 PM

Yes. If non-tilt, there is a fibre optic line that runs from a bulb on the cluster by your speedo down to the pointer.

On a tilt, it is electric and the column has an additional wire that needs to be plugged into the "cluster" spade on your fuse box.

68lwb · 01-12-2004, 09:32 PM

Are those fiber optic cables repairable, or does anybody sell new? When I disassembled my column, I noticed mine has a hole in it from being pinched in the column.

Longhorn Man · 01-13-2004, 02:46 AM

I don't think they are reparable, and I am pretty sure no one is making them.
PM me if you need one.

doughby82 · 01-13-2004, 03:27 AM

i didnt know they suppossed to light up either.guess ill have to look into that myself.

Terry Peerson · 01-13-2004, 11:59 AM

Does the tilt-column light use a bulb? I have a nice used [tilt] column that I plan to install. I wonder if the light and wiring is still inside the column? Hmmmm? I guess I should take a look-see. My non-tilt column [light] has never worked. I didn't even know there was supposed to be a light. I have never seen one that had a lighted indicator. Just when you thought you knew all about these old trucks- you learn something new! Thanks guys! Something else to get working.

Terry

Longhorn Man · 01-14-2004, 12:43 AM

Yes, the tilt has an actual light bulb in them. When you plug in the harness, you'll see a single gray wire dangling down there, plug that into the fuse box where it says lights, or inst lights...something like that, then the light will turn on and off with your dash lights.

Hooter · 01-14-2004, 01:01 AM

fibre optic is non repairable, the way it works is the fibre optic line goes into ome of the sockets for the dash lights

OldSkool71 · 01-14-2004, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Longhorn Man
I don't think they are reparable, and I am pretty sure no one is making them.
PM me if you need one.

I think I need one too.....

Terry Peerson · 01-14-2004, 04:44 PM

Thanks Longhorn Man!

I'll have to look to see if the light is still in the column. It sure would be nice to have that working.

Terry

**CPNE** · 01-14-2004, 05:00 PM

Post #2

Quote:

Originally posted by CPNE
Yes. If non-tilt, there is a fibre optic line that runs from a bulb on the cluster by your speedo down to the pointer.

On a tilt, it is electric and the column has an additional wire that needs to be plugged into the "cluster" spade on your fuse box.

Post #6

Quote:

Originally posted by Terry Peerson
Does the tilt-column light use a bulb? I have a nice used [tilt] column that I plan to install. I wonder if the light and wiring is still inside the column? Hmmmm? I guess I should take a look-see. My non-tilt column [light] has never worked. I didn't even know there was supposed to be a light. I have never seen one that had a lighted indicator. Just when you thought you knew all about these old trucks- you learn something new! Thanks guys! Something else to get working.

Post #7

Quote:

Originally posted by Longhorn Man
Yes, the tilt has an actual light bulb in them. When you plug in the harness, you'll see a single gray wire dangling down there, plug that into the fuse box where it says lights, or inst lights...something like that, then the light will turn on and off with your dash lights.

Post #10

Quote:

Originally posted by Terry Peerson
Thanks Longhorn Man!

I'll have to look to see if the light is still in the column. It sure would be nice to have that working.

Terry I'm glad you got your answer and LHM is correct. I'm just posting to confirm the confirmation of my answer.

Isn't there a joke circulating about how many board members does it take to screw in a light bulb? Classic!

TsgtE662 · 01-14-2004, 05:05 PM

And I thought thats what the dome light was for.

BtnkBndt · 01-14-2004, 07:15 PM

Wow, I had no idea. My indicater thing looked solid. I just took the lense off and looked, theres another clear lense and little hole in there. Learn something new here everyday! Guess I have to climb under there and try to trace this fiberoptic thing now.

*rage'nrat638* · 01-14-2004, 08:37 PM

fiber optic cable 10.00 shipped

FIRST COME FIRST SERVED....ONLY HAVE ONE....
P.M. IF NEEDED
MARK

Longhorn Man · 03-19-2007, 05:12 AM

wow... 3 years and 2 months!
PM me as a reminder (I'm headed out to worh in a sec) and I'll take a look see if I have a socket for you there Woogeroo

gmc1969custom · 03-19-2007, 10:47 AM

Mine works, but I will admit I never knew it used a fiber-optic cable. Good Info!!

71Chev · 03-19-2007, 11:38 AM

The Fiber optic cables are reproduced. p/n 3276689
http://www.gmcpauls.com/new_products1.htm

The fiber optic bulb socket for the dash was just dicontinued by GM p/n 6288601

brak · 03-29-2007, 03:33 AM

I always wondered what that funky tab on the bulb socket was for.

Now i Know, and knowing is half the battle

01-13-2004, 03:27 AM	#5
doughby82 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: springfield ill Posts: 836	i didnt know they suppossed to light up either.guess ill have to look into that myself. __________________ springfield illinois 2003 custom (harley)built from scratch 68 swb Last edited by doughby82; 01-14-2004 at 04:19 AM.

01-14-2004, 01:01 AM	#8
Hooter My other Love Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Castlegar B.C. Canada Posts: 4,085	fibre optic is non repairable, the way it works is the fibre optic line goes into ome of the sockets for the dash lights __________________ Castlegar B.C.The great white North (Canada Eh!) Hooter_5@hotmail.com First generation Monte Carlo club pictures of my life

01-14-2004, 05:05 PM	#12
TsgtE662 2A674 Tank Rat Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Maryland Heights, Mo. Posts: 626	And I thought thats what the dome light was for. __________________ '92 GMC Sierra, Sportside, 2wd, 350, Black '92 Chevy Silverado Extended Cab 4 x 4, Blue USAFR = 2A674 = Aircraft Fuel Systems Maintenance i.e. Tank Rat

01-14-2004, 07:15 PM	#13
BtnkBndt Pennyless Fool Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Forney,Tx Posts: 439	Wow, I had no idea. My indicater thing looked solid. I just took the lense off and looked, theres another clear lense and little hole in there. Learn something new here everyday! Guess I have to climb under there and try to trace this fiberoptic thing now. __________________ "Who owns this car with the peace sign, the mag wheels, and four on the floor?" 67 Short Step 283/TH400/4.11

03-19-2007, 05:12 AM	#15
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Auto tranny gear indicator light wow... 3 years and 2 months! PM me as a reminder (I'm headed out to worh in a sec) and I'll take a look see if I have a socket for you there Woogeroo

01-12-2004, 02:31 PM	#1
shuttermutt Don't say "Oops!", Doctor Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 677	Auto tranny gear indicator light Is the stock gear indicator on the column of an automatic truck supposed to light up in any way? Just curious. __________________ 'Mutt 1968 CST LWB: R.I.P. 1967 Chevelle: TPI 454 beast 1967 C10 SWB: Claimed when Bumpster didn't put it on his list

01-12-2004, 02:33 PM	#2
CPNE Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: NH Posts: 6,664	Yes. If non-tilt, there is a fibre optic line that runs from a bulb on the cluster by your speedo down to the pointer. On a tilt, it is electric and the column has an additional wire that needs to be plugged into the "cluster" spade on your fuse box. __________________ Currently on or near the homestead: 67 Chevy SWB 2WD stepside 350/3 on tree (Pat's) 67 GMC SWB 2WD Fleet 402/auto (Brian's under construction) 67 Chevy 3/4 ton 2WD 402/auto (Business Hauler) 67 Chevy 1 ton dually 2WD 396/4 speed (Former business hauler, Needs TLC) 68 Chevy 1/2 ton Suburban 2WD 250 six/3 on tree (Brian's Needs TLC) 70 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD 350/4 speed (Pat's - Disguised as a 68 GMC) 71 Chevy SWB stepside (Crushed by tree - parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD (Parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD Suburban (Parts Donor) 72 GMC 3/4 ton 4WD 292 six/4 speed (Mine - Disguised as a 67 GMC) 81 GMC 4WD Dually Dump Body 350/4 speed (Business Hauler) 82 Camaro Z/28 355/Super T-10 (Pat's toy) 93 Caprice 9C1 (Brian's Cop Car) 02 Toyota Camry (Reliable but a souless steel and plastic hulk) 2011 2SS RS Camaro M6 Factory Hurst Shifter Maybe I need to sell some of this crap Yet another Bozo with a sawz-all

01-12-2004, 09:32 PM	#3
68lwb Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 85	Are those fiber optic cables repairable, or does anybody sell new? When I disassembled my column, I noticed mine has a hole in it from being pinched in the column.

01-13-2004, 02:46 AM	#4
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	I don't think they are reparable, and I am pretty sure no one is making them. PM me if you need one.

01-13-2004, 11:59 AM	#6
Terry Peerson Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Bonner Springs, KS Posts: 307	Does the tilt-column light use a bulb? I have a nice used [tilt] column that I plan to install. I wonder if the light and wiring is still inside the column? Hmmmm? I guess I should take a look-see. My non-tilt column [light] has never worked. I didn't even know there was supposed to be a light. I have never seen one that had a lighted indicator. Just when you thought you knew all about these old trucks- you learn something new! Thanks guys! Something else to get working. Terry

01-14-2004, 12:43 AM	#7
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Yes, the tilt has an actual light bulb in them. When you plug in the harness, you'll see a single gray wire dangling down there, plug that into the fuse box where it says lights, or inst lights...something like that, then the light will turn on and off with your dash lights.

01-14-2004, 04:44 PM	#10
Terry Peerson Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Bonner Springs, KS Posts: 307	Thanks Longhorn Man! I'll have to look to see if the light is still in the column. It sure would be nice to have that working. Terry

01-14-2004, 08:37 PM	#14
rage'nrat638 Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: THE FALL GUY CHICAGO IL Posts: 5,883	fiber optic cable 10.00 shipped FIRST COME FIRST SERVED....ONLY HAVE ONE.... P.M. IF NEEDED MARK

03-19-2007, 10:47 AM	#16
gmc1969custom Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Canton, TX Posts: 210	Re: Auto tranny gear indicator light Mine works, but I will admit I never knew it used a fiber-optic cable. Good Info!! __________________ 1969 Custom w/Turquoise Interior. 75k miles, 350 Auto, (Almost) All Original

03-19-2007, 11:38 AM	#17
71Chev Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Indiana Posts: 3,074	Re: Auto tranny gear indicator light The Fiber optic cables are reproduced. p/n 3276689 http://www.gmcpauls.com/new_products1.htm The fiber optic bulb socket for the dash was just dicontinued by GM p/n 6288601 __________________ 71 Chevy CST Long Fleet 350/350/3.07 leaf rear. Last edited by 71Chev; 03-19-2007 at 11:44 AM. Reason: socket info



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03-29-2007, 03:33 AM	#18
brak Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: MinneSNOWta Posts: 1,381	Re: Auto tranny gear indicator light I always wondered what that funky tab on the bulb socket was for. Now i Know, and knowing is half the battle __________________ 2003 GMC Sierra 1500 WT 1995 Nissan Hardbody 2016 Hyundai Veloster Turbo DC2 (SW/AW) Clyde W. Harvey USN "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery" Winston Churchill

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