Hey Guys,.
Hope someone can help me out. I have a '64 Cutlass. I removed one of the dashboard lights from the instrument panel cluster, (the one next to the left turn signal bulb) to test it because I thought one of the bulbs might be out. The Bulb was good, but when I put it back in. Poof. Now I have no dashboard lights, and the 3 Amp Instrument panel fuse blows every time I turn on the headlights. All other interior lights work. (I was also doing some other electrical work but don't think it had anything to do with this issue) I think I might have messed up the contact points when I removed the bulb, which another Olds owner suggested to me might be the case.Of course the panel is old and looks a little rusty when I look up from under the dash. Anyone have any fix suggestions. I hope I don't have to remove the whole instrument cluster. I would probably rather have someone do that for me but good luck finding that person. I was also told I might have to replace the circuit board.
Any ideas? Thank You..

 

You can remove the board from the back. Remove it and check for shorts.

 

Common sense says that when it was working before and not it's not, the first thing to look at is the last thing you touched.
I'm guessing that you shorted one of the traces on the printed circuit. Either the bulb socket is not installed properly or you got the printed circuit out of place and now it's shorting.

 

So you are saying there is a way to take the circuit board out without removing the instrument panel?

 

Have been into my instrument cluster a few times over the years. Remove the instrument cluster, the only logical way to access and test confidently. Look for black mark on the board circuit and contamination.

 

Highly unlikely that any of the raceway circuitry has been affected by an open circuit. I've never seen any issues whereas any of the lanes were charred. Could be a bad fuse holder (Check that). Those circuit boards on those older Oldsmobile's would be considered military grade today. They are practically bulletproof. The dash panel (Instrument Cluster) should be easy to remove as opposed to the newer cars. Make certain that the resistance of the new bulb is the same. What type bulb are you using, provide the specs? Check for any internal fuses located in the wiring. I must say, out of all the cars I've owned, I have never had any with rust under or near the dash panel.

* I see you live in N. Hollywood. I lived on Vineland Ave. back in the 70's.

 

Thanks to everyone for the advice. I am using the original bulb that goes into the back of the instrument panel. (which I tested and it works) They have 2 contact points on the front of the socket where it screws in. I'll post a pic when I get a chance. I will be swamped with work for the next couple of days, then I go out of town for 5, so won't be able to deal with this for at least a week. But I will do what it takes to get this fixed.

I live one block from Vineland Ave. & Victory Bd. in North Hollywood.