Roadrunner Dash Went Dark

[Blazer85]

I was working on my 68 roadrunner tonight trying to get the dash lights to work. I had them all working, including aftermarket gauges, except the left side speedometer light. I pulled it out to see if it was burnt out or if it was a bad connection. Now none of the gauges light. I've check and can't find a loose ground wire anywhere. Any ideas?

 

[Hemi 354]

Did you check the fuse?

 

[Lionized]

Dimmer switch.

 

[Blazer85]

Fuse is good i checked, how should i check the dimmer switch?

 

[Lionized]

Turn on your lights and roll it up and down.
Spray some contact cleaner and lubricant in there while you're at it.
My Super Bee dash lights went dark a few times while I was restoring the instrument cluster. Always turned out to be the dimmer.

 

[Blazer85]

Ok, thank you very much for the advice. I will try it in the morning

 

[Blazer85]

Yep, dimmer switch was the culprit...... :hello2:

 

[Lionized]

Glad I could help.
:icon_thumright:

 

[Dennis H]

Mine too. Could buy a new one for about a zillion dollars. in the meantime I'll just fiddle with it and spray with electrical cleaner.

 

[moparedtn]

Yeah, those dimmer switches are $$$. There's a fella on eBay who rebuilds them and does an excellent job, though.
I went through a few junkyard ones, then finally bought one of his. Problems all solved, every light on the car came
to life.
Ma Mopar seemingly ran EVERYTHING through that dimmer switch, like it was a terminal block or something.

 

[Coronet 14]

I think Performance Graphics rebuilds them also

 

[mutt71]

I've sprayed the dimmer switch and no change at all. I guess I need a new one.

 

[mutt71]

I have a question before I go out and buy a replacement. My dimmer works to turn on the overhead light without issue. It's the dash lights that don't work. Could it be something else by chance?

 

[Dennis H]

I have a question before I go out and buy a replacement. My dimmer works to turn on the overhead light without issue. It's the dash lights that don't work. Could it be something else by chance?

Good question. My dash lights come on JUST AHEAD of the bump to turn on the overhead light. Very short window. Mine could be next.

 

[bigmanjbmopar]

Depending on its condition its repairable, since you have sprayed it... with? it is freed up but are the contacts making up when the wheel is rolled? I know its a pain but take it out and make sure. Its basicly a rheostat that also has a contact for all on.

the rheostat is the big spring inside if the copper bar on the wheel is not touching every spot on the spring it will lose contact, just spray stuff on it does not fix that part lol clean and lubes it good lmao

If it all looks like it's there just check to make sure its making contact if not you can ever so slightly bend the copper bar in to make it touch. also take a small piece of wet/dry sandpaper and clean the contact spots on the bar.

 

[moparedtn]

Good info, "Big". Further, folks, realize the overhead light part of the switch and the panel dimming part
are actually separate switches within the switch.
I can see it being perfectly possible for one to work and not the other as a result.

If all else fails, check this guy out on ebay:
http://www.ebay.com/usr/devininsm
He's been professionally rebuilding Mopar switches for a lot of years and did an amazing job on mine.

 

[Mebsuta]

I sprayed my dimmer switch one time. That caused it to start blowing a fuse under the glove box, which turned off all the lights but the headlights. This went on until it completely dried out a day or two later.

 

[Lionized]

I sprayed my dimmer switch one time. That caused it to start blowing a fuse under the glove box, which turned off all the lights but the headlights. This went on until it completely dried out a day or two later.

What were you using?!

 

[Mebsuta]

What were you using?!

It was probably CRC electronic cleaner. I did notice that after I left it alone a day or two, the dimmer switch would actually turn the dome light on again, which is what I was trying to do in the first place.

That switch and all the electrical stuff in my car is is old. It's been there since the Johnson administration, and maybe it just didn't want to be sprayed that day.

 

[Lionized]

It was probably CRC electronic cleaner. I did notice that after I left it alone a day or two, the dimmer switch would actually turn the dome light on again, which is what I was trying to do in the first place.

That switch and all the electrical stuff in my car is is old. It's been there since the Johnson administration, and maybe it just didn't want to be sprayed that day.

Electronic cleaner and contact cleaner/lubricant may be two different types of solvents. All I've ever used is contact cleaner/lubricant. Little more expensive than any other product I've seen but appears to do the trick. Never blown a fuse.