My lights all of the sudden went out on my instrument cluster and HVAC controls. I did a search on here to see what has been said about this before. I checked the fuse and the fuse is still good. So, I am thinking next that it is probably the dimmer switch. Now that I think about it, it was getting tempermental to the point where I had to have it just right for the lights to come on. So, my question is where can I get a switch and does anyone have a "how to" on it? I checked at a local parts store and they didnt have one. I checked out 50resto and couldn't find anything either.
Dimmer Switch
- Thread starter AdamFogle
- Start date
04sleeper
Founding Member
You are probably correct with your diagnostics.
FYI: If you order one, order one for a 93. They upgraded the dimmer switch somewhere in 92ish. (Assuming this is for your 90)
As far as the install, it is pretty straight forward. Pull out the headlight and hazzard switches and unplug, unbolt the cluster housing and other surrounding panels to access the screws. Pull it out and it will expose the 2 screws holding it into the dash. Unscrew them and unplug it and plug the new one in.
Not too hard.
FYI: If you order one, order one for a 93. They upgraded the dimmer switch somewhere in 92ish. (Assuming this is for your 90)
As far as the install, it is pretty straight forward. Pull out the headlight and hazzard switches and unplug, unbolt the cluster housing and other surrounding panels to access the screws. Pull it out and it will expose the 2 screws holding it into the dash. Unscrew them and unplug it and plug the new one in.
Not too hard.
stangjunkie
New Member
- Nov 15, 2004
- 381
- 0
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mine did the same thing but i wiggled it and they came back on... still a little tempermental but i think i decided mine is a ground wire
Saleen0679
10 Year Member
AdamFogle said:
If this is for your 90 then 50resto carries them under the p/n LRS-11691A, but they are now up to the ridiculous price of $90. Your best bets are probably the junkyard or ebay as mentioned. I also have an extra used one here if you can't find one.
R&R is easy as 04sleeper mentioned. You may not even have to remove the Hazard and Light switches if the harnesses give you enough slack to pivot the cluster trim so you can access the Panel Dim switch.
It sounds like you already ran the rheostat up and down to try and clear it out. Rats.
Kevin, how far backwards does your retrofit go? Said another way, I wasn't sure if there was a difference in the dimmers in tilt/bagged cars vs non? That's a nice tip that I hadn't heard before.
Kevin, how far backwards does your retrofit go? Said another way, I wasn't sure if there was a difference in the dimmers in tilt/bagged cars vs non? That's a nice tip that I hadn't heard before.
Thats a good question...b/c mine is getting ready to go. It has to be in JUST the right spot to work. Will one from the "updated" 93 work in the '87 dash?
Saleen0679
10 Year Member
I had to replace mine in 97. It basically became an on/off switch. When I got mine it didn't even have the 'Panel Dim' label. I had to transfer the label from the old switch.
The newer style is just a different design with the same front mounting dimensions and is a little shorter in depth and is made out of plastic instead of aluminum. The contacts have been changed from the coil spring to contact pads. The dome light part of the switch has also been updated.
When I replaced mine the green adhesive they used to keep the spring contact in place had turned into a powder mess that had to be vacuumed out from the mounting area.
The newer style is just a different design with the same front mounting dimensions and is a little shorter in depth and is made out of plastic instead of aluminum. The contacts have been changed from the coil spring to contact pads. The dome light part of the switch has also been updated.
When I replaced mine the green adhesive they used to keep the spring contact in place had turned into a powder mess that had to be vacuumed out from the mounting area.
04sleeper
Founding Member
Well I'm surprised that I know something you didn't JT. LOL....HISSIN50 said:Kevin, how far backwards does your retrofit go? Said another way, I wasn't sure if there was a difference in the dimmers in tilt/bagged cars vs non? That's a nice tip that I hadn't heard before.
It can go back until 87. I put in a lot of 93 parts into my 88 GT and that was one of the things that I noticed.
There are quite a few differences in the years actually.
The dimmer switch was one thing I liked better along with the updated seat belts, and updated dome light.
Yes. It will work just fine. The plug is the same and everything. Just look at the pic Saleen0679 put up.Prime Lord said:
I didn't have any pics handy or I would have posted them up.
I think I still have a few of the older dimmer switches laying around somewhere.
Saleen and Kevin, thank you very much. I know what route I'll go when the time comes. Normally, I just hardwire dimmer circuits when they go bad (I need full brightness anyhow). This sounds like a nice alternative.
Kevin, you and Saleen alone know volumes more than I.
Kevin, you and Saleen alone know volumes more than I.
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