My turn for a dash light problem.

[DarkFireGT]

My gauge lights are not working... As far as I know, they haven't since I started tinkering with the car. The domelight works, and so does the "high beam" light, so I know it's not a fuse, because I'm pretty sure the dome light is on the same fuse. The fasten seat belt light lights... just not the gauges. I just don't see how all those bulbs can be out, but every other bulb works perfectly fine. All the gauges work, they just have no lights.

And the heater doesn't work, either, but I think this is due to having aftermarket ac installed in california. I'm guessing they bypassed the whole factory control unit. None of the switches on it do anything, even the fan switch. The A/C controls seem to work though, and the heater core appears to be operating.

Other than those minor things, it's now driveable (during the day time until the dash lights work). Took it out to eat yesterday, drove great. Still contemplating a 302 for next year though... we'll see.

 

[COBRAIIW]

Check your dash lights ground first.
Very common for lighting probs.

 

[77sleeper]

many times the switch/dimmer is bad as well turn on the headlights rotate the switch to the center position and give it a couple taps on the top of the knob

 

[Wart]

I feel the "how the hell do you get this )#*%& light switch knob out" question coming.

 

[DarkFireGT]

Well tapping on it didn't do anything. Where is the ground located? Is it on the back of the cluster?

Also, I've got one wire in the engine bay I can't figure out where it goes. It's black with yellow dashes on it. Here's a pic. Anyone?

 

[DarkFireGT]

I guess I'll be more specific, it comes out of the cluster of wires behind the fusebox.

 

[76_Cobra_II]

I feel the "how the hell do you get this )#*%& light switch knob out" question coming.

I found an EASY way to do this. I posted it in a "HOW TO" post in another MII Forum. If ya need, I will copy and paste.

 

[Wart]

Thanks, but not needed.

My hand remembers the way.

 

[LXXVICOBRA]

Also, I've got one wire in the engine bay I can't figure out where it goes. It's black with yellow dashes on it. Here's a pic. Anyone?

I'm not certain, but I think that black/yellow wire might go to the underhood lamp.
Why it's located where it is on your car, I don't know. I don't see that plug/connection on my car (there)....but perhaps because mine is an 8cyl, it's routed differently? This B-Y wire runs from the starter relay to the underhood lamp on mine, which also coincides with the wiring diagram I have.

 

[DarkFireGT]

hrmm... interesting. I'll have to take a look at that. Doesn't make much sense where it is, as you said...

Still no dash lights.. i guess it's time to pull the cluster and check it out. gonna be a long week waiting for a day off to do that.

 

[78CobraII]

hrmm... interesting. I'll have to take a look at that. Doesn't make much sense where it is, as you said...

Still no dash lights.. i guess it's time to pull the cluster and check it out. gonna be a long week waiting for a day off to do that.

You will need those headlight switch removal instructions if you haven't already crossed that problem.

I hope that you don't find your instrument cluster has an advanced case of CCS (Crumbling Cluster Syndrome). This is where the rear cluster plastic is disentegrating from old age. The one from my '76 hatch literally crumbled into dust when I tried to remove it last year. It had shown problems around the light sockets as early as 1983. I had to build them back up with model cement so that the lights could make good contact with the mylar wiring strip.