The Gauge Cluster Conundrum

SSnakeGT127 · Feb 20, 2022

Ok, this maybe a bit naive to ask but I need to ask anyway.

But would a bad or failing dimmer switch prevent all the gauge lights and A/C accessory lights to stop working.

Drove the car one night and all then gauge lights just stop immediately stop illuminating, gauges all still mechanically work ( well the ones that do work lol)

Not a big deal, but it is slightly annoying at night, car just hibernating in the garage at the moment till it’s warm enough to start playing with it again.

Might change the gauges out to something different at some point, not sure yet and somehow get my RPM tach working, just not crazy about putting the giant 5in in there lol.

General karthief · Feb 20, 2022

The dimmer wheel can get green crap built up and make the connection sketchy
Take it out and clean it with electronic spray cleaner, check for power at the connector too.

SSnakeGT127 · Feb 20, 2022

I should add, this has happened before on several occasions, but the gauge lights would eventually come back on, I normally would fiddle with the whole cluster until it came back on (not completely secured at the top), now just stop coming on completely.

evintho · Feb 21, 2022

That's usually the problem. Had dimmer switches go out in 2 different Mustangs. If yours doesn't clean up, they're all over Ebay.

stanglx2002 · Feb 21, 2022

Most likely is the dimmer switch and there is a "super technical way" to fix it too. You do not need any tools FYI.

Open the Driver Side Door
Locate the Dimmer Switch just left of the steering wheel
Take your index finger and scroll the wheel all the way to the left
Then scroll the wheel all the way to the right
This is the important step
1. Scroll the wheel to the middle of the wheels travel from steps 2&3
2. Then move the wheel left and right very quickly

In all seriousness, the Dimmer Switch is a common issue and the contacts the wheel scrolls on start to corrode over time. Moving the wheel back and forth quickly cleans the contacts and should address your issue.

Mustang5L5 · Feb 21, 2022

Yes, dimmer is the first “stop” for interior lighting. From there it goes to fuse 13, so check that as well. Should be a 5 amp fuse

90sickfox · Feb 22, 2022

I've had to replace a bunch of dimmer switches for the same issue. Another issue could be the printed circuit on the back of the cluster. You said you moved it around and it started working, so it may be a bad connection at the plug.

When this move is over I'll get you to the house so we can go through it all. The lift should be here in a couple weeks. We'll be cruising in no time.

I'm still jealous of those TTops...

Wayne Waldrep · Feb 26, 2022

Here ya go...... Same thing was happening to me.

Thread 'Dimmer Switch' https://www.stangnet.com/mustang-forums/threads/dimmer-switch.922518/

SSnakeGT127 · Mar 6, 2022

I appreciate it guys, I went ahead and took the cluster out to see If anything was disconnected or tingle up, so far the only thing I see is my # 13 fuse (5amp) keeps blowing out as I just replaced it a second ago and the back of the cluster looks a little haggard, don’t know if that would stop it completely.

Getting LMRs new updated retro cluster is very tempting but it’s so dang expensive, otherwise I get that in a heartbeat.

I like to keep my interior components close to stock as I can, but with parts 30 plus years old, you can only go so far to maintain them longevity lol.

90sickfox · Mar 7, 2022

That gauge cluster printed circuit has several broken and 1 missing trace. They do sell a reproduction printed circuit. The hazard light harness needs to be put back in the plug. That'll cause issues with wires touching each other. If you tape them up individually we can walk you through re-pinning another connector.

Willybill32 · Mar 7, 2022

The gauge cluster flexible circuit board on my ‘86 had to come out several times. At the end I had loose copper traces, which we glued back in place, and everything works. NPD sells replacement circuit boards.

Bill

SSnakeGT127 · Mar 7, 2022

Yeah I was looking at the printed circuit broads at NPD, which I'm probably going to order from, as well as a hazard switch pigtail from LMR, ( The old one literally broken apart a couple years back) and somehow I repin them to make the flasher/ turn signals come back on,

So overall, I had a few things to tackle, including this and some others stuff non-related, not nothing too crazy.

StratTone · Mar 8, 2022

I'd get a new hazard connector for sure and repair the circuit traces on the back of the cluster. Make sure nothing is touching in the mean time and hook it back up one connection at a time and see if the fuse blows. If not then you know the problem was in the cluster with a touching trace. If it does you have a starting point to trace back.

The Gauge Cluster Conundrum

SSnakeGT127

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

SSnakeGT127

evintho

stanglx2002

CT Material here

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

90sickfox

Wasn't a pretty sight...and I've got big hands

Wayne Waldrep

Before I post a pic, do you have one of yours?

SSnakeGT127

Attachments

90sickfox

Wasn't a pretty sight...and I've got big hands

Willybill32

But at least it's tight!

SSnakeGT127

StratTone

Member

Similar threads

The Gauge Cluster Conundrum

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

CT Material here

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Wasn't a pretty sight...and I've got big hands

Before I post a pic, do you have one of yours?

Attachments

Wasn't a pretty sight...and I've got big hands

But at least it's tight!

Member

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