1975 Dodge Truck Instrument Cluster Lights

Tiny
OLDDODGETRUCK
  • MEMBER
  • 1975 DODGE TRUCK
  • 5.2L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 127,000 MILES
The instrument cluster lights don't work on my 75 Power Wagon. The directions to find them aren't in the Haynes manual and I can't find the lights. I know power is going from the switch, but none of the lights come on. This might be a dumb question, but where are the lights? Thanks in advance.
Tuesday, April 21st, 2015 AT 7:35 PM

10 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,330 POSTS
The lights are plugged into a number of small black sockets that you have to twist counter-clockwise, then pull out. It's unlikely all the bulbs burned out at the same time. How do you know the head light switch is okay?
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Tuesday, April 21st, 2015 AT 7:56 PM
Tiny
OLDDODGETRUCK
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  • 66 POSTS
I replaced the switch, and then I used a multimeter and figured out which wires went to which lights. The switch had power going in to it from two sources, I cleaned up the ground, and all the wires going out had power going to them. I also have a tach wired into the dash lights, so I know there is constant power.
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Tuesday, April 21st, 2015 AT 8:06 PM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
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Do you mean the tach has a light wired into the dash light circuit? If so, does it dim normally with the head light switch dimmer?
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Tuesday, April 21st, 2015 AT 8:17 PM
Tiny
OLDDODGETRUCK
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Yes it dims.
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Tuesday, April 21st, 2015 AT 8:18 PM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
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  • 34,330 POSTS
Then you probably DO have all the bulbs burned out on the cluster.
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Tuesday, April 21st, 2015 AT 8:32 PM
Tiny
OLDDODGETRUCK
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  • 66 POSTS
I didn't think that they would all go out either, that's why I spent 3 hours making sure power was going into the dash. Do I have to take the whole dash out or just the bezel?
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Tuesday, April 21st, 2015 AT 8:36 PM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
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Pull the cluster out. If you have a map light under the top of the dash pad just to the right of the steering column, remove its two screws too, otherwise it can be broken. The speedometer cable has to be disconnected, either after the cluster is pulled out a little ways or from above the steering column under the dash. There's a plastic latching finger to press, then you can pull the cable off.
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Tuesday, April 21st, 2015 AT 8:43 PM
Tiny
OLDDODGETRUCK
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  • 66 POSTS
Then do the sockets twist out from the back or are the lights right there?
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Tuesday, April 21st, 2015 AT 8:48 PM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,330 POSTS
There's a circuit board on the back of the cluster. The sockets are pushed into holes in that board, then they're turned to lock them in place.
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Tuesday, April 21st, 2015 AT 9:00 PM
Tiny
OLDDODGETRUCK
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Okay, thanks for the help.
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Tuesday, April 21st, 2015 AT 9:06 PM

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