No dash lights

[Hemihead2]

1969 Dart- no lights are working for the gauges. There is power across the fuse block. I got the turn signals, hi beam and parking brake lights all working but nothing in the Speedo, ammeter or temp areas. Low oil light works as does the radio and floor console light…headlight switch works as does the dimmer (radio/ floor console lights). I put a couple new bulbs in the ones I could reach hoping something would work but no go. I’m stumped- any help out there? Thank you.

 

[Oldmanmopar]

It would be the orange wire going to the plug on the circuit board. There are times to male connector on the board comes off. That is where I would check. If the radio light works and dims with the headlight switch you know the orange wire has power . Your next place to check is the board. there is and easy fix for that if needed but the board would have to come out. I use a small machine screw and nut to replace the pin. Works every time and it will never break again.

 

[remytherat]

I have a 69 Dart with exactly the same problem. Nice to see this.

 

[Hemihead2]

It would be the orange wire going to the plug on the circuit board. There are times to male connector on the board comes off. That is where I would check. If the radio light works and dims with the headlight switch you know the orange wire has power . Your next place to check is the board. there is and easy fix for that if needed but the board would have to come out. I use a small machine screw and nut to replace the pin. Works every time and it will never break again.

Do you have a picture of where I should be looking? Everything there seems to be intact as far as I can tell. Thx

 

[mopardude62]

Scroll to the bottom of this thread and see if the posts and diagram help you follow the dash light path.

68 Barracuda Instrument lights not working | For A Bodies Only Mopar Forum

 

[Mattax]

Do you have a picture of where I should be looking? Everything there seems to be intact as far as I can tell. Thx

If the parking lights work then I'd start with the dash light fuse.
Do you have a test lamp or voltmeter? If so, see if there is power at either end of that fuse. Will only get power when parking lights are on. Make sure the knob is rotated someplace toward the middle.

 

[Oldmanmopar]

I believe you stated the radio light works. This is connected to the dash light circuit, The plug on the dash would have to be removed to see if the pin is broke off. Removing the cluster is the only way to see this and or properly testing this.

 

[RedFish]

Yep, all those other lamps in the instrument panel get their power from other circuits. Illumination gets shifter indicator, radio, maybe a ashtray lamp, all on an orange wire. Some instrument panels have 2 connectors with this orange wire in both. Thus gauge lighting on one side but not the other. Keep in mind that new bulbs are not a cure when the bulb socket and/or their contact to the circuit board is the issue.
If you are bound and determined to fix it, you will lower the steering column and pull that inst' panel. you'll do more contact cleaning on the circuit boards and their connectors.
It was all designed to last 10 years or more. It lasted 30 to 50 years. Dig deeper into your wallet. Do the labor and spend the coins to fix it proper. Includes new lamp sockets. Highest quality could reach 5 dollars plus each.
Follow all the threads of info here. Fix it and never worry about it again in this lifetime. Patch it and sell it. The choice is yours.