55 Olds dash lights and horn not working

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 2, 2015 | 08:07 AM
  #1  
scharpp's Avatar
Thread Starter
Scharpp
 
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 132
From: East Wenatchee Washington
55 Olds dash lights and horn not working

Just got her up and going, it took a few times pulling and pushing the headlight switch to get headlamps working, but I have no dash lights, anyone dealt with this before? also I can make horn work at the relay but not from the horn ring on column, every things original, but sitting since 1969 Thanks
Old Mar 2, 2015 | 08:18 AM
  #2  
oldcutlass's Avatar
Administrator
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 42,496
From: Poteau, Ok
The horn is switched by a single wire seeking ground under your horn ring in the steering column, it may be corroded and not making good connection. I'm not 100% familiar with the 55 light switch, does it turn left to right as the later model cars with a rheostat on the back that controls the dim function? Also check your fuses and see if the lamp fuse is blown or corroded.
Old Mar 2, 2015 | 10:46 AM
  #3  
scharpp's Avatar
Thread Starter
Scharpp
 
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 132
From: East Wenatchee Washington
Thanks Eric, yes the light switch turns back and forth, figured someone has dealt with this and maybe it can just be cleaned or something, I will pull the horn ring and clean the contact, hope that works, man what a horn, it sounds like a train haha
Old Mar 2, 2015 | 01:45 PM
  #4  
Rocketowner's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,393
From: Tennessee
Just use Spray contact cleaner on the rheostat of that dash light switch, and turn Back and forth several times ,and that will probably take care of the problem. Larry
Old Mar 3, 2015 | 03:02 AM
  #5  
Yellowstatue's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,086
From: Too close to Toronto!!
A '57 has a small fuse on the switch itself which powers the dash lights. Two amp or four fuse?
Old Mar 5, 2015 | 10:08 AM
  #6  
Ozzie's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,614
From: S.E. Louisiana, so far still in U.S.A.
As mentioned, there is a fuse on the light switch. It controls the instrument cluster lights, ash try lights, and the clock light. It is an SFE 2 amp. Also check the rheostat in the switch as suggested. Oxidation can form if it sits around without use, especially if the vehicle has "outside" storage.
The horn problem is also likely an oxidation problem. Clean the contact area on the steering wheel. If that doesn't fix it, trace the wire back from the relay and see where it will no longer trigger the relay.
Old Mar 22, 2015 | 05:29 PM
  #7  
scharpp's Avatar
Thread Starter
Scharpp
 
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 132
From: East Wenatchee Washington
Hey guys thanks, got the horn fixed as per your help, I will pull the light switch as find that darn fuze, what the heck would they do that for? I checked everything else thats got to be it
Old Mar 22, 2015 | 06:07 PM
  #8  
twintracks's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 430
From: SE Wisconsin
Send me the clock. I'll get that going for you.
Old Mar 23, 2015 | 02:41 AM
  #9  
ignachuck's Avatar
Frank Ignachuck
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,302
From: Maynard, Massachusetts
Originally Posted by twintracks
Send me the clock. I'll get that going for you.
X2 on that. Twintracks did a great job on my clock!
Old Apr 7, 2015 | 09:50 AM
  #10  
scharpp's Avatar
Thread Starter
Scharpp
 
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 132
From: East Wenatchee Washington
clock

Mine doesnt have a clock, I do have one in another dash but its to hard to change it out Thanks
Originally Posted by twintracks
Send me the clock. I'll get that going for you.
Old Apr 7, 2015 | 10:28 AM
  #11  
twintracks's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 430
From: SE Wisconsin
Yep, the speaker has to come out, otherwise, it's not too bad.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
kansasculass
Electrical
11
Dec 9, 2011 06:11 AM
Mattia-SS
Electrical
10
Aug 11, 2011 01:26 PM
Scottem
Electrical
2
Sep 28, 2009 10:23 AM
cbogartjr
Electrical
6
Aug 3, 2008 06:18 AM
<KEN>
Electrical
0
Sep 22, 2004 08:39 PM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 09:29 AM.