my 73 can' see dash lights early evening, thoughts?

[Lawrence R.]

All the bulbs are working but early evening I cannot see the dash gauges good on my 73 any thoughts about this, I have the dash apart right now so it would be the time to make changes. Thanks

[Tom H.]

Re: my 73 can' see dash lights early evening, thoughts?

Is the rheostat feature working in the headlight switch ???

[Lawrence R.]

Re: my 73 can' see dash lights early evening, thoughts?

Tom, yes it is but when turning the switch sometimes the lights dim more or go out, do you think I need a new switch?

[Tom H.]

Re: my 73 can' see dash lights early evening, thoughts?

Not real sure on the 73 switch if one can repair or clean them up, but it sure sounds like that may be part of the problem.

Hopefully one of the C3 giuys will jump in here and help.

[Lawrence R.]

Re: my 73 can' see dash lights early evening, thoughts?

Thanks Tom

[Jack H.]

Re: my 73 can' see dash lights early evening, thoughts?

Sounds like you should first remove the HL switch and visually inspect the dimmer pot. Lights should smoothly dim and brighten in response to twisting the control knob.

Those that act erratically, have one of two issues in general.

(1) Oxide build up on either/both the pot resistance windings and/or the pot wiper arm. This can be addressed by spraying/soaking the pot with electrical contact cleaner and, while wet, exercising the pot from end to end. There are prior posts on what to use and TV tuner cleaner that has a lubricant additive works...

(2) Pot resistance windings are simply worn from prior use... This creates high/low spots that the pot wiper is having trouble with from a contact point of view. Sometimes you can squeeze out a little more useful life by disassembling the HL switch and stragetically 'bending' the pot's wiper arm to get a bit more down force.

On #2, if you haven't taken a HL switch apart before to clean, lubricate and re-assemble it, be prepared for a jig saw puzzle experience! Once the upper body plate comes off, the internal pieces of the switch tend to 'explode' into the air as all is spring loaded and held in place by the contact pressure of the upper body plate...

It takes some experience (learning curve) to get a feel for how to remove the plate and retain the relative position(s) of the switch's internal contact components!

[Lawrence R.]

Re: my 73 can' see dash lights early evening, thoughts?

To save time and agravation I think I will just buy another switch. thanks for the replys.

[Paul L.]

Re: my 73 can' see dash lights early evening, thoughts?

Even when working properly they are dim.

[Robert R.]

Re: my 73 can' see dash lights early evening, thoughts?

Paul is correct.
If you are comparing to how new cars light up, your '73 will seem dim even with all new lights.
Had a similar experience two years ago as after only driving mine in daytime due to shorts in the old harness, was concerned that with the new harness and new bulbs and switch that the dash lights were barely lit til it was really dark outside.
We realy get spoiled with the new technology.