67 Dash Lights -Flickering?

[kwkenf]

My dash lights started to flicker on and off on my 67. I know when my head lights did that, I had to replace the light switch (2-3 years ago) because it was drawing to much power and was causing the problem. What do you think this could be?
Thanks for your help.

 

[67CoupeDriva]

Some possibilities:
1. Bad ground from the dash panel to the car body (is it JUST dash lights, or other interior lights i.e. radio, courtesy if you have them).

2. The ubiquitious wire short somewhere

3. The headlight switch potentiometer. If you take the switch back out you'll see a spring-like coil of wire forming nearly a complete circle near the front. There should also be a metal contact that slides along that coil...that's what dims your lights when you turn the switch. I have had to lightly sand corrosion off of mine a couple of times, and gently bend the metal contact down to ensure good, consistent contact with the coil. A light coat of dielectric grease will slow the corrosion some.

4. Poltergeists.

 

[kwkenf]

It's just my dash lights, as for the interior lights. I never tried them. If it happens tonight, I will turn them on and see. Radio stays on. What about the little transformer on the back of the dash panel? I bought a new one over the winter(haven't installed it yet). I was going to see if that would make the lights abit brighter. But I doubt that will work because things weren't built the same way back then. LOL.

Thanks,

 

[TheWolf]

If you mean the voltage regulator, it gives constant power to the guages, so I dont think it would effect the brightness/flickering. If it were bad, I think your gauges would be going haywire. My best guess is the headlight switch. Btw, if you want brighter you might want to look into the glowing guage overlays from Scott Drake. It requires modification, a steady careful hand, and you CAN'T go back since they glue down. I just added them to my 67 and they work great.

 

[mustangdave]

You might also check for a loose wire. Does the headlight switch get power right from the fusebox or the ignition switch?

 

[kwkenf]

I will let you know sometime this weekend.

Thanks for the info guy's.

 

[ForceFed70]

It's not the regulator.. dash lights run off 12V. Only the guages need 5V.

Definately turn on the interior lights and see what happens.

When this happened in my car(interior lights flickered also) , it was due to my alternator packing it in. Could also be a voltage regulator problem, or just a loose connection/ground in the charging system.

 

[kwkenf]

Well it only happened once last night. And the interior lights stay on when the dash went off
I have a new alt as of last year so it shouldn't be that. I will take the light switch out and check (as stated above). I will also check my grounds and connections.

Thanks again.