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Cluster bulbs won’t turn on

  • Thread starter Thread starter adrianV04
  • Start date Start date Jun 10, 2021
A

adrianV04

New Member
Jun 9, 2021
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Hayward
Jun 10, 2021
#1
  • Jun 10, 2021
  • #1
I have a 92 gt and I replaced the factory cluster bulbs to led but when I try to turn them on it doesn’t work I checked the panel dim and only one wire from the 4 wirings on it has power what do I do?tips on where I can fix this issue.
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,249
17,932
224
Massachusetts
Jun 10, 2021
#2
  • Jun 10, 2021
  • #2
Try flipping the bulbs around. LEDs have positive and negative leads and will not work if installed backwards
 
Reactions: HemiRick
A

adrianV04

New Member
Jun 9, 2021
2
0
1
Hayward
Jun 10, 2021
#3
  • Jun 10, 2021
  • #3
Mustang5L5 said:
Try flipping the bulbs around. LEDs have positive and negative leads and will not work if installed backwards
Click to expand...
Does it matter if the wires from the panel to turn the cluster lights on not work like such as the wirings that connect to the panel I checked which wirings gave energy and it was only one
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,249
17,932
224
Massachusetts
Jun 10, 2021
#4
  • Jun 10, 2021
  • #4
The dimmer needs to work. The feed for the lights in the entire interior all stem from the dimmer. There's also a 5amp fuse as well you want to check if none of the interior lights (switched and hvac panel) don't work
 

revhead347

Apparently my ex-husband made that mistake.
20+ Year Stangneter
Jun 14, 2004
9,297
1,641
214
Acworth, GA
Jun 10, 2021
#5
  • Jun 10, 2021
  • #5
LED lights don't like dimmers. They are designed to work at a fixed voltage. So they sell LED 168/194 bulbs for marker lights and such that run at 12-14 volts, but they really aren't intended to be used in your instrument cluster. Your best bet is to swap back to filament style bulbs.

Kurt
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,249
17,932
224
Massachusetts
Jun 10, 2021
#6
  • Jun 10, 2021
  • #6
They have LEDs that work fine with dimmers. I have them in my cluster. Nice and bright and can dim them way down if needed
 

HemiRick

I'd be looking at jacking under the house
Jun 28, 2020
723
272
73
Memphis TN
Jun 10, 2021
#7
  • Jun 10, 2021
  • #7
Yes I have blue LEDS in my cluster that work fine w the dimmer. BTW when I 1st put them in about half didn't work because they needed to be turned around.
 

mikestang63

SN Certified Technician
Aug 27, 2012
11,606
8,859
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In the garage
Jun 12, 2021
#8
  • Jun 12, 2021
  • #8
don't buy the cheap Flea Bay LED's .. I bought ones that do not have to be specific polarity and work with the dimmers. If you already have the cheap ones. just use an electric drill or 9V battery and test leads and test the polarity of each bulb before installing. Mark the + side and on the back of the cluster you can trace the circuit for + and -
 

7991LXnSHO

wanna catch the space herp
10 Year Member
Sep 1, 2010
7,387
2,745
194
Kearney, NE
Jun 15, 2021
#9
  • Jun 15, 2021
  • #9
mikestang63 said:
don't buy the cheap Flea Bay LED's .. I bought ones that do not have to be specific polarity and work with the dimmers. If you already have the cheap ones. just use an electric drill or 9V battery and test leads and test the polarity of each bulb before installing. Mark the + side and on the back of the cluster you can trace the circuit for + and -
Click to expand...
I wonder how those are internally wired to go that? Diodes have polarity, light emitting or not.
Do do they work well and do you have a source? I have another project that NEEDS better dash lights, and standard bulbs in the similar size do not vary much in CP or watts.
 

mikestang63

SN Certified Technician
Aug 27, 2012
11,606
8,859
214
In the garage
Jun 15, 2021
#10
  • Jun 15, 2021
  • #10
7991LXnSHO said:
I wonder how those are internally wired to go that? Diodes have polarity, light emitting or not.
Do do they work well and do you have a source? I have another project that NEEDS better dash lights, and standard bulbs in the similar size do not vary much in CP or watts.
Click to expand...

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