Olds Instument cluster light not working

Oldsmobilliam · September 9th, 2009, 11:09 AM

My lights behind the speedo arent working. We replaced the bulbs to no avail. I am thinking it may be the dimmer control on the light switch. The headlights work fine but not the dash lights. Any suggestions would be delightful.

Olds64 · September 9th, 2009, 12:28 PM

When you replaced the bulbs did you check for 12V coming to the light? If it isn't there then trace it back to the dimmer switch and make sure 12V is going to the dimmer switch. If the dimmer switch doesn't have 12V then you have to figure out why. The easiest thing to start with would be to check all of your fuses.

Lady72nRob71 · September 9th, 2009, 01:12 PM

On some models, the INST LMPS fuse is the one you are seeking.
If the fuses are good, the dimmer switch on the light switch may be bad. Rotating it quickly back and forth may cause them to flicker. If so, replace the switch.

Oldsmobilliam · September 9th, 2009, 02:42 PM

I remember it did used to flicker, and for a while there it would come back on with a few moderate slaps to the dash with my hands.

I will try those ideas, sirs.

joe_padavano · September 9th, 2009, 07:19 PM

I have had the rheostat contact in the light switch go bad, so that is a possibility.

Yellowstatue · September 10th, 2009, 03:23 AM

A few moderate slaps with a big hammer would probably work better

X2 on changing the switch...my '57 dash lights didn't work either and it was a bad connection at the rivet holding the contacts together inside the switch...

rocketraider · September 10th, 2009, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldsmobilliam

I remember it did used to flicker, and for a while there it would come back on with a few moderate slaps to the dash with my hands.

If the INST LPS fuse tests good, check the ground straps behind the dash. There's one that circles the headlight switch and another that surrounds the instrument cluster and radio-HVAC controls area.

Does the dimmer rheostat operate smoothly thru its travel or are there rough spots in it?

Olds64 · September 10th, 2009, 06:43 AM

I wonder, is this rheostat easy to purchase, or is it a part made of unobtanium?

rocketraider · September 10th, 2009, 07:30 AM

It's part of the headlight switch.

For some reason I thought you were talking about a 70-72 A-body car. I see you have an early 80s Ninety Eight. The dash cluster lights seem to be a recurring problem on 77-84 B/C cars; on my CC wagon the right side speedo lighting stays off over half the time but on occasion will light up normally, and sometimes the left side lighting will blink off. I think it's probably a squirrelly connection on the printed circuit behind the cluster. What's really aggravating is the carrier has to come out of the dash to inspect the PC.

By the time you've pulled the speedometer head to access the lamps, it doesn't take much more to remove the carrier.

Oldsmobilliam · October 17th, 2009, 07:37 PM

it spins just fine, when i turn it all the way the overhead light comes on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocketraider

If the INST LPS fuse tests good, check the ground straps behind the dash. There's one that circles the headlight switch and another that surrounds the instrument cluster and radio-HVAC controls area.

Does the dimmer rheostat operate smoothly thru its travel or are there rough spots in it?

Dan Wirth · October 21st, 2009, 12:25 PM

I agree with Olds64. This should be done first, then isolate trouble further to the switch, if necessary.

September 9th, 2009, 11:09 AM	#1 (permalink)
Oldsmobilliam Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Appleton, WI Posts: 57	Olds Instument cluster light not working My lights behind the speedo arent working. We replaced the bulbs to no avail. I am thinking it may be the dimmer control on the light switch. The headlights work fine but not the dash lights. Any suggestions would be delightful. __________________ Oldsmobilliam 98

September 9th, 2009, 12:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
Olds64 Landyacht Club President Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lawton, OK Posts: 4,286	When you replaced the bulbs did you check for 12V coming to the light? If it isn't there then trace it back to the dimmer switch and make sure 12V is going to the dimmer switch. If the dimmer switch doesn't have 12V then you have to figure out why. The easiest thing to start with would be to check all of your fuses. __________________ Ferris, my father loves this car more than life itself... Apparently, you don't understand! Ferris, he never drives it! He just rubs it with a diaper! Cameron Frye Ferris Bueller's Day Off 1986

September 9th, 2009, 01:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
Lady72nRob71 Moderator Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 1,916	On some models, the INST LMPS fuse is the one you are seeking. If the fuses are good, the dimmer switch on the light switch may be bad. Rotating it quickly back and forth may cause them to flicker. If so, replace the switch. __________________ -Rob Young 1972 Cutlass Supreme Convertible (442 clone) -"Lady" (My mistress...) http://www.flickr.com/photos/robsalbum/sets/ 1986 Cutlass Supreme Coupe - "Pristine" 1978 Ford (Old Faithful) a.k.a. "the Tramp" 1997 Cadillac STS (for sale - too many cars!) 1999 Harley Davidson Sportster - "the Freedom Machine"

September 9th, 2009, 02:42 PM	#4 (permalink)
Oldsmobilliam Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Appleton, WI Posts: 57	I remember it did used to flicker, and for a while there it would come back on with a few moderate slaps to the dash with my hands. I will try those ideas, sirs. __________________ Oldsmobilliam 98

September 9th, 2009, 07:19 PM	#5 (permalink)
joe_padavano Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,396	I have had the rheostat contact in the light switch go bad, so that is a possibility. __________________ Joe Padavano 64 Jetstar 88 Conv 66 442 L-69 Conv 68 W-30 69 H/O 69 442 70 W-30 72 442 84 Custom Cruiser 86 Caprice wagon (w/307 Olds)

September 10th, 2009, 03:23 AM	#6 (permalink)
Yellowstatue Certified Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Too close to Toronto!! Posts: 567	Heavy handed A few moderate slaps with a big hammer would probably work better X2 on changing the switch...my '57 dash lights didn't work either and it was a bad connection at the rivet holding the contacts together inside the switch... __________________ '57 S88 HC et al; '68 442 M20; '68 442 M21; '68 W30; '68 Vista et al; '80 -'84 Regency et al; '96,'98.'99 Aurora..Ignition ON

September 10th, 2009, 06:43 AM	#8 (permalink)
Olds64 Landyacht Club President Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lawton, OK Posts: 4,286	I wonder, is this rheostat easy to purchase, or is it a part made of unobtanium? __________________ Ferris, my father loves this car more than life itself... Apparently, you don't understand! Ferris, he never drives it! He just rubs it with a diaper! Cameron Frye Ferris Bueller's Day Off 1986

September 10th, 2009, 07:30 AM	#9 (permalink)
rocketraider Oldsdruid Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Danville Vajenya, the Last Capital of Dixie Posts: 1,214	It's part of the headlight switch. For some reason I thought you were talking about a 70-72 A-body car. I see you have an early 80s Ninety Eight. The dash cluster lights seem to be a recurring problem on 77-84 B/C cars; on my CC wagon the right side speedo lighting stays off over half the time but on occasion will light up normally, and sometimes the left side lighting will blink off. I think it's probably a squirrelly connection on the printed circuit behind the cluster. What's really aggravating is the carrier has to come out of the dash to inspect the PC. By the time you've pulled the speedometer head to access the lamps, it doesn't take much more to remove the carrier. __________________ I know absolutely nothing about Oldsmobiles. Just ask the owner of Oldspower.com

October 21st, 2009, 12:25 PM	#11 (permalink)
Dan Wirth Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Southwest Posts: 372	I agree with Olds64. This should be done first, then isolate trouble further to the switch, if necessary. __________________ Dan W. -------------------------------------- 1957 Oldsmobile Holiday J2 Rocket/Super 88 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora 4.0L 2002 Ford F250 Turbo 7.3L Diesel Pusher

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