Speedometer lights

[tireman74]

So I'm in the process of replacing my speedometer and dash panel, and without thinking I pulled all lights out out of the speedo without marking them. I disconnected the battery so now I can't figure out what is what. What would happened if I connected the battery to figure it all out before I put it all back together?

 

[Neuner]

Not sure I understand your question. Are you trying to figure which ones are burnt out?

 

[Torxhead]

Would a wiring diagram help you out here?

 

[Hedgehog]

Hint, the speedometer lights go in the light sockets in the back of the speedometer.

Seriously, there is no magic and usually the lights, by their wire length and general position in amongst the other wires. Also, don't upgrade to the larger bulbs, they will fit, but are to hot and will melt the plastic bulb covers inside the speedometer head. Also, clean the area around the bulb holes. The spring clips are part of the ground circuit.

 

[tireman74]

I'm wondering if the bulbs I pulled out of the back of the speedo are just used for back lighting or are they used for blinkers, high beam indicator, etc. and if they are used for reasons other than backlighting how do I figure them out before I put the dash back on?

 

[Neuner]

All of the above that you listed. I'll have to find the wire color coding notes. They should be marked in an FSM if you have one.

 

[tireman74]

I've got a FSM, but I was looking at it and to be honest, I am stupid when it comes to reading the diagram.
I am wondering if I after I get all the other things hooked up (wipers, headlights, blower, guages) if I can connect the battery back up and use the process of elimination to figure out what is the left blinker light, right blinker light, high beam indictator etc.

 

[Torxhead]

I would think you could use a test light for that.

 

[Hedgehog]

The flasher bulbs will look a little different from the back light bulbs. I believe the back lights will have an orange wire while the turn signals will have other colors. It is fairly simple to plug the lights into their respective holes, yes even by feel. I'd get everything else done and installed. When everything is in place turn everything on and see what goes where, including hitting the turn signals. Warning, nothing will light up until the bulb housing is grounded on the speedometer housing or some other ground wire.

 

[tireman74]

Thanks I didn't realize that the lights used the speedo house as a ground.

 

[thistle3585]

Any way to get brighter lights in the speedo and not cause damage?

 

[tireman74]

Since I had it all apert, I went back with new bulbs and that brightened mine up a little. I think my old ones had 33 years of dust on them.

 

[Neuner]

I put LED bulbs in my gauges and it really brightened them up. They are also a lot less of a power draw.

 

[tireman74]

I put LED bulbs in my gauges and it really brightened them up. They are also a lot less of a power draw.

Did you have to change the wiring or anything?

 

[Neuner]

Nope. Just ordered from www.superbrightleds.com that fit the bulb socket and it worked fine.

I can't remember but I don't think the lights dim correctly. Either full on or off. I don't believe LEDs are dimable unless you have a proper control board. I liked mine the full brightness anyways.