1985 Delta 88. loose dash lights

The bulbs behind the speedo are loose. I replaced all 3 bulbs. only one was working the other two were burned out.

The one over the 5 comes on with a little tap on the dash or hitting a bump, the one over the 85 was one, went out, then came back on after pretty much spanking the dash. Stayed on until I pulled in the driveway, then went out again and has been out since.

I'm going to be reloacting my tach and have to pull the dash out again. How do I get it to work and stay working? I replaced all the bulbs with SilverStar 168 bulbs and damn, what a difference in lighting!!

 

The bulb housings or holders have 2 copper srping type contacts on them. Give them a little bend outward to hold them tighter. Also check the printed circut for corrosion where they make contact and also check for breaks in the copper printed circut.
Good Luck

 

My experience is that dash lighting in those year cars can be troublesome. My Custom Cruiser put me thru dash disassembly on a regular basis when the speedo lighting went out. Last time I tried to replace one, when I pushed the bulb into its socket the carrier plastic was brittle and the damn socket pushed right thru it.

So, even though it goes against my grain, I took a tip from the Fast and Furious crowd and got a 12" LED strip at Walmart. Stuck it to the top edge of the carrier, wired it into the old radio lamp lead and walla! I can see me speedometer at night again. Actually have to dim the dash lamps a little, the LED is so bright. Yah, it's unnaturally white light for that year car, but it's a driver so big deal. Better to be able to see the dash at night.

 

Wow I was going to do this mod exactly next week! Please post pics asap I want to see the silverstar difference.

 

Post pics of your dash night setup please guys.

 

I was going to try the bending the contacts a bit. Just wanted to see if that was a good way to go. I did this with a flashlight when I was younger and mom and dad said "you broke it, too bad"

I wouldn't call silverstars a mod, but it is a big improvement. I suggest doing it. However you have to take the dash apart to see which size bulbs are in there. My old Delta had 194's, this one has 168's. Pics are not going to do it justice

I like the LED thing. I might try that next if this doesn't work

 

You only bend 'em a little - less than 1/16"
Before them, use a little wire brush on a dremel tool on those contacts and the ones on the sockets that contact the PCB. You can bend them a hair out also.

Before reinsertion, use a "linear graphite deposit eradicator" (pencil eraser) to shine up ALL the PCB pads (do NOT use a dremel on those)

I have done this with no issues so far!

 

Rob- the carrier has to come out of the car to access the PCB. Bulbs are replaced from the front by pulling the speedometer cluster. There's only about an inch of room between the back of the carrier and the firewall on these year cars- not enough to get hands in and twist out the lamp sockets.

 

Forgot about the different assembly on these...
Buffing up the PCB may be difficult so try just doing the sockets and see what happens.
If a dremel wont fit, try a nail file.
If no luck, then much more disassy will be needed.

 

pics pics pics