1967 Dash Cluster 1816 Bulb Question

[Kirk McHugh]

I removed my 67 dash cluster last week to get it reconditioned. I noticed an 1816 bulb socket that was empty and just hanging behind the cluster when I removed it. I assumed at the time that one of the gauge lights had fallen off. However, as I count the number of holes in the back of the dash and the number of light sockets hanging in the car, I seem to have 1 too many light sockets. Is there always an extra 1816 light socket in the 1967 dash cluster wiring? Maybe for some option that I don't have? Maybe I just need to count better?? Thanks.

[Grant M.]

Re: 1967 Dash Cluster 1816 Bulb Question

Kirk,

Although I don't have a 67, I'm not aware of any "spare" or "optional" sockets that should be found. There is a socket/lamp that back lights the ignition switch, that on my car when purchased had a burnt-out bulb in it and was just dangling behind the cluster--could this be the socket you've found?

Good luck,

grant

[Allan J. Wicklund]

Re: 1967 Dash Cluster 1816 Bulb Question

Al W.

[Allan J. Wicklund]

Re: 1967 Dash Cluster 1816 Bulb Question

I'll place a photo on the Corvette Forum site for you. Good Luck! Al W.

[Kevin M.]

Re: 1967 Dash Cluster 1816 Bulb Question

Post it here you needed to place it in the box below without IMG. Helpful pictures by the way

Kevin

[John H.]

Re: 1967 Dash Cluster 1816 Bulb Question

Kirk -

There are two lights that don't go in the holes in the "can" on the back of the cluster; one in the ignition switch housing, and one that clips on the outside of the lighter housing. Are both of those installed?

[Kirk McHugh]

Re: 1967 Dash Cluster 1816 Bulb Question

John,

I have a sneaking suspicion that it must have been one of those that the previous owner didn't have installed. It was just haging down on the left-hand side (facing dash - window wiper switch area) without any bulb even inserted into it. So, once the dash was out I counted the 1816 "bulbs" and then counted the 1816 holes in the back of the dash cluster and seemed to have one extra bulb. From what you are stating however it seems that I should actually have two extra 1816 bulbs for the ignition switch and the lighter housing. I know that there wasn't one on the lighter housing as I unscrewed it and removed it before the cluster was even out of the car. So maybe, it is for that. What does the clip to the lighter housing look like? Can I get one from a current supplier? Thanks.

[Kirk McHugh]

Re: 1967 Dash Cluster 1816 Bulb Question

Ok, I see Corvette Central item 252002 Lighter Element Bulb Shade for $10.50. So, how does that "clip" to the actual lighter element? Thanks.

[John H.]

Re: 1967 Dash Cluster 1816 Bulb Question

Kirk -

There are two pierced slots in the lighter housing; you squeeze the two tabs on the "shade" and they insert in the slots.

[Gerard F.]

Re: 1967 Dash Cluster 1816 Bulb Question

Kirk,

From the sketch I did when I did my 67 cluster, I think there are 11 illumination bulb sockets with gray wires. 7 of these come from the right (passenger) side of the harness, and 4 come from the left (driver) side of the harness. The ignition light and cigar lighter light come from the right (passenger) side. The lighter shade housing just clips into the two slots in the lighter housing.

If you found a socket dangling in the vicinity of the wiper switch, it is probably for the socket hole in the cluster just above the wiper switch. That one comes off the left side of the harness.

Maybe someone rearranged the sockets in the holes (or maybe I'm all balled up with my left and rights But when you go to set that last bulb socket, in a contorted position, and it won't reach, you know you have the wrong socket in the wrong hole. Been there

Great photo above looking at the back of the cluster. Right is left in the photo from my directions above.

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

[Kirk McHugh]

Re: 1967 Dash Cluster 1816 Bulb Question

I've got the lighter bulb figured out now. Now, where exactly does the ignition switch bulb go?? Thanks.

[Kirk McHugh]

Re: 1967 Dash Cluster 1816 Bulb Question

Never mind. Just looked at the Assembly Manual UPC6/B4 and see that the bulb would still be mounted on the switch assembly hanging in the car. Will check it out when the weather gets a bit warmer here in Ohio.

[Timothy B.]

Re: 1967 Dash Cluster 1816 Bulb Question

Kirk,

I am not positive on this but I think the ignition key switch bulb is a # 53 bulb which is very small. It may be used somewhere else but I need to look, my memory tells me high beam indicator.

[Kirk McHugh]

Re: 1967 Dash Cluster 1816 Bulb Question

By the looks of the picture, it would appear that it would have to be.

[Jack W.]

Re: 1967 Dash Cluster 1816 Bulb Question

Kirk, another possibility is that you have a 63-64 cluster housing in there, which used 2 fewer illumination bulbs (the ones with the grey wires). That would leave you (with a 67 harness) with two extra bulbs with no home.

Has led to some head scratching before, although it is not likely the case here. Just a thought.