Crazy Electrics...

[karlkafer08]

Hi all, well I just got this 1976 Valiant on Friday and just started to go through some things on the car today. Its crusty and ugly so I do not expect alot out of this thing, but I do want the dash lights and the turn signals to work. The Turn Signals do work sometimes if I hold the switch lever just right and say a few Hail Mary's, but only one the indicator lights on the right in the dash works. All of the outside lights work properly when I perform this bizarre ritual and I am pretty sure it is the switch that is causing my grief. My temp gauge, amm. gauge, and fuel gauge lights all work...as well as the high beam, and the cig light and glove box light....they all dim with the dimmer too. I already changed the speedo lights with out any change in their nonworking status...lol.....Any suggestions ?
In addition, how do you get the knobs off of the wiper and headlight switches ?? Trying to change dash light bulbs with the bezel in the car was a real pain in the butt and I got bloody hands for nothing today...:toothy10:

 

[player1up]

Well, in my garage, no job is done right without blood being drawn
First things first, Take the whole cluster out, the gauges and everything bolt/screw right to the back of the bezel so no getting it out of the way unless its out of the car. ( Just be very careful with the main round plug as any sideways stress can pop a weak pin off the board.

The knob on the headlight switch doesn't come off, the whole shaft comes out. There is a little clip on the side of the switch that will release the shaft, but you will be able to see this with the cluster out.

My guess for the lights is corrosion on the contacts, or a broken trace on the circuit board

 

[a68postcar]

sounds like a bad t/s switch to me. the contacts get worn off and then you have to hold it L or R to get them to work. sometimes the pivot pin wears out the plastic and you get the same thing. also, if you are going to remove the cluster, disconnect the battery first. then when you pull the cluster back a little you can undo the ammeter wires as you lay it back. i've found it much easier to do if you lower the steering column. don't take it out, just drop the top bolts and lower the column a couple of inches.BTW the ammeter nuts are 3/8" and its double nutted. i hold the one under the wire and turn the one holding the wire so that i don't break the stud off of the wire inside the gauge. good luck man. this aint no big deal. just take your time,and if you get in a bind just post back here and we will help. i guarantee it.

 

[karlkafer08]

Thanks for the reply fellas...BTW, today when I got home I noticed that I left the doors unlocked and my kids snuck into the car to play space ship !!!! and in doing so they knocked the passenger side window off its tracks and down into the depths of the door !!!!!!! ARGH ! :angry7: However, I cannot be too mad at them because some how my 6 year old son got the speedo lights to work!..At least for now !! LOL