Help. My dash guage lights are dim..... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bigmikey · 03-26-2004, 05:50 PM

the dash guage lights on my 69 chev truck are dim, does anyone know how to make them brighter?, could it be that they need new bulbs?, or would it be something else?, thanks in advance..

jef5150 · 03-26-2004, 06:08 PM

the speedo,and fuel gauge each have 2 bulbs ,more than likely you burned out 1 for each gauge. i believe its bulb #194 jeff

71-longbed · 03-26-2004, 06:47 PM

168 bulb are direct replacements for the 198 and there 1/3 brighter .....

bigmikey · 03-26-2004, 06:49 PM

do I just have to unscrew the bezel from the front?, and will it come out far enough to switch them out?, or is there another way it comes off?, thanks..

71-longbed · 03-26-2004, 06:53 PM

i just get a flashlight and pull the little black sockets out with my hands ... turn them counterclock wise and then pull right out ... some of the upper ones are really hard to get to.. but this will give you an idea if a few are burnt out or not ..

*67Fleetsidedream* · 03-26-2004, 07:06 PM

Did you try turning the head light knob?

bigmikey · 03-26-2004, 08:25 PM

yeah, thats the first thing I tried. When I take off the guage cluster, are the wires behind it going to be tight?, or will I have enough room to get the old lights out?..

*67Fleetsidedream* · 03-26-2004, 09:34 PM

It will not be tight as long as you unscrew your speedo cable off the cluster.

ShamrockCustoms · 03-26-2004, 09:38 PM

remove the cluster, remove the bulbs. clean the contacts on the bulbs and the contacts on the cluster. plug it all back in. after years and years, lots o' crud build-up happens. this cleaning alone will improve the lighting because of better contact. also, check wiring and grounding. always a factor on old vehicles. good luck!

bigmikey · 03-26-2004, 10:21 PM

thanks guys. Will do that.

**Palf70Step** · 03-26-2004, 11:58 PM

If you are removing the cluster anyways, I would take the back apart and repaint the inside reflective surfaces for the lights. I used wally world chrome paint, some others used white. That with the newer style bulbs makes a HUGE difference. It's much brigther (better) than stock. A simple and cheapo fix too.

Longhorn Man · 03-27-2004, 12:07 AM

I have always painted the inside of my inst panels white, it helps more than any bulb upgrade would ever do alone.
Just take it all apart, and where ever you see that funky greenish paint, paint it white...I guess the fake chrome paint would do too, but the white paint does give off a 'soft' glow.
Here is a pic I stole from Josh. He did this and was able to get a good night time pic.

*rickspickuppart* · 03-27-2004, 12:31 AM

that is a nice pic, it creates a "glow" around the gauges and is alot easier to read.

Shawn

bigmikey · 03-27-2004, 12:40 AM

thanks longhorne. I would have never thought of that..

Longhorn Man · 03-27-2004, 12:44 AM

You can also install colored lights once you paint the back ground whate. If you install the colored bulbs when it is all green, it'll just look like crap...onless puke is the color you are going for here.

03-26-2004, 06:47 PM	#3
71-longbed Its Magically Delicious Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: oregon Posts: 2,398	168 bulb are direct replacements for the 198 and there 1/3 brighter ..... __________________ 71 C10 LWB 350sbc -TH350 12 bolt 3.42 Posi Of all my favorite things to do, The utmost is to have a brew. My love grows for my foamy friend, with each thirst-quenching elbow bend. Beer so frosty, smooth, and cold it's paradise pure liquid gold. Yes beer means many things to me that's all for now cus I gotta pee.

03-26-2004, 06:53 PM	#5
71-longbed Its Magically Delicious Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: oregon Posts: 2,398	i just get a flashlight and pull the little black sockets out with my hands ... turn them counterclock wise and then pull right out ... some of the upper ones are really hard to get to.. but this will give you an idea if a few are burnt out or not .. __________________ 71 C10 LWB 350sbc -TH350 12 bolt 3.42 Posi Of all my favorite things to do, The utmost is to have a brew. My love grows for my foamy friend, with each thirst-quenching elbow bend. Beer so frosty, smooth, and cold it's paradise pure liquid gold. Yes beer means many things to me that's all for now cus I gotta pee.

03-26-2004, 09:38 PM	#9
ShamrockCustoms Project56 on hold Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Burleson, TX Posts: 489	remove the cluster, remove the bulbs. clean the contacts on the bulbs and the contacts on the cluster. plug it all back in. after years and years, lots o' crud build-up happens. this cleaning alone will improve the lighting because of better contact. also, check wiring and grounding. always a factor on old vehicles. good luck! __________________ Shamrock Customs Forever-in-the-Future Custom Shop 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS daily driver 1956 Chevy Stepside rodstoration on winter hold

03-26-2004, 11:58 PM	#11
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 46,974	If you are removing the cluster anyways, I would take the back apart and repaint the inside reflective surfaces for the lights. I used wally world chrome paint, some others used white. That with the newer style bulbs makes a HUGE difference. It's much brigther (better) than stock. A simple and cheapo fix too. __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

03-27-2004, 12:07 AM	#12
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	I have always painted the inside of my inst panels white, it helps more than any bulb upgrade would ever do alone. Just take it all apart, and where ever you see that funky greenish paint, paint it white...I guess the fake chrome paint would do too, but the white paint does give off a 'soft' glow. Here is a pic I stole from Josh. He did this and was able to get a good night time pic. Attached Images

03-26-2004, 05:50 PM	#1
bigmikey Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: SLC utah Posts: 64	Help. My dash guage lights are dim..... the dash guage lights on my 69 chev truck are dim, does anyone know how to make them brighter?, could it be that they need new bulbs?, or would it be something else?, thanks in advance..

03-26-2004, 06:08 PM	#2
jef5150 Inline 69 Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: valleysprings,california Posts: 1,018	the speedo,and fuel gauge each have 2 bulbs ,more than likely you burned out 1 for each gauge. i believe its bulb #194 jeff

03-26-2004, 06:49 PM	#4
bigmikey Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: SLC utah Posts: 64	do I just have to unscrew the bezel from the front?, and will it come out far enough to switch them out?, or is there another way it comes off?, thanks..

03-26-2004, 07:06 PM	#6
67Fleetsidedream Wiseass secured himself a BAN Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: MOON!!! Posts: 2,282	Did you try turning the head light knob?

03-26-2004, 08:25 PM	#7
bigmikey Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: SLC utah Posts: 64	yeah, thats the first thing I tried. When I take off the guage cluster, are the wires behind it going to be tight?, or will I have enough room to get the old lights out?..

03-26-2004, 09:34 PM	#8
67Fleetsidedream Wiseass secured himself a BAN Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: MOON!!! Posts: 2,282	It will not be tight as long as you unscrew your speedo cable off the cluster.

03-26-2004, 10:21 PM	#10
bigmikey Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: SLC utah Posts: 64	thanks guys. Will do that.

03-27-2004, 12:31 AM	#13
rickspickuppart Account Suspended Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,284	that is a nice pic, it creates a "glow" around the gauges and is alot easier to read. Shawn

03-27-2004, 12:40 AM	#14
bigmikey Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: SLC utah Posts: 64	thanks longhorne. I would have never thought of that..

03-27-2004, 12:44 AM	#15
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	You can also install colored lights once you paint the back ground whate. If you install the colored bulbs when it is all green, it'll just look like crap...onless puke is the color you are going for here.



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