Short in the dash lights

[Joseph K.]

I started with the dash lights becoming to dim and not being able to adjust the light intensity and then no dash lights. I surmised that I was dealing a bad/worn light switch rheostat. I purchased a new switch and last night I began the task of replacing it. But before I started I noticed that the fuse was blown to the parking lights. I decided to replace the switch anyway. Replacement was easy and everything worked. Before I put every thing back together I decided to leave the lights on while I screwed the dash back together. When I started, I slowly pushed the dash back in place and the fused popped on the dash lights. I looked around but the only thing that I can see is that the one of the bulbs to the tachometer is out of the socket( what a PITA its going to be to get it back in). Has any one had a short in the dash lights. If so how did you repair or does anybody have any ideas where to look?

Thanks for your help in advance
Joe

PS Any short cuts on the dash lights?

[Joe L.]

Re: Short in the dash lights

I started with the dash lights becoming to dim and not being able to adjust the light intensity and then no dash lights. I surmised that I was dealing a bad/worn light switch rheostat. I purchased a new switch and last night I began the task of replacing it. But before I started I noticed that the fuse was blown to the parking lights. I decided to replace the switch anyway. Replacement was easy and everything worked. Before I put every thing back together I decided to leave the lights on while I screwed the dash back together. When I started, I slowly pushed the dash back in place and the fused popped on the dash lights. I looked around but the only thing that I can see is that the one of the bulbs to the tachometer is out of the socket( what a PITA its going to be to get it back in). Has any one had a short in the dash lights. If so how did you repair or does anybody have any ideas where to look?

Thanks for your help in advance
Joe

PS Any short cuts on the dash lights?

Joe------


Yes, I have had it happen once on my 1969 and I had one hell of a time trying to figure it out. It turned out that there was a sharp "solder barb" at a point where several of the ground wires were soldered together within the dash harness. This was within the taped portion of the harness just to the right of the radio. The "solder barb" had worked its way through the insulation of some of the wires providing power to the dash lights and shorted them out. I thought that this was a real strange situation and likely unique to just my car. But, it might not be so unique.

[Joseph K.]

Re: Short in the dash lights

Thanks Joe I will follow the wires. Was it a loose piece or was it were it attach's to secure the harness?

Joe

[Joe L.]

Re: Short in the dash lights

Thanks Joe I will follow the wires. Was it a loose piece or was it were it attach's to secure the harness?

Joe

Joe------


It was not a loose piece. It was simply a "barb-like" protrusion of the solder at the point where several ground wires were soldered together. This "barb-like" protrusion worked its way over time through the insulation of a nearby power wire for the dash lamps and thus grounded it out.

[Joseph K.]

Re: Short in the dash lights

Joe------


It was not a loose piece. It was simply a "barb-like" protrusion of the solder at the point where several ground wires were soldered together. This "barb-like" protrusion worked its way over time through the insulation of a nearby power wire for the dash lamps and thus grounded it out.

Found the short it was a wire the pulled lose from a light socket on the oil gauge and touched the metal backing on the center console. It was a big job to find it. While I had the dash completely out I lubricated the tac and speedo cables. I got most of it back together and then though that I should check everything. I quit for the night when found that I must have loosened a vacuum hose on the windshield wipers...

Thanks for the help Joe