How to replace cluster lights on a '67 Coronet?

[chillbill]

My gauge cluster doesn't light up when the lights are on. The blinker lights work though. Is there a post, link etc on how to take the whole thing out and replace the bulbs?

 

[SDCoronet]

You have to reach behind the dash, find the rectangular knobs and give them a small twist for them to pop out. Its a pain. If none of them work at all, they might not be the problem. It my be your headlight switch.

 

[Mackman]

I found it was easier to take the instrument dash right out to replace the lamps. All mine were blown. Service manual tells you how to get it out . Not difficult.

 

[chillbill]

You have to reach behind the dash, find the rectangular knobs and give them a small twist for them to pop out. Its a pain. If none of them work at all, they might not be the problem. It my be your headlight switch.

When I was checking the car for purchase I swear I saw the dome light come on at one point, but it doesn't anymore. So it's possible it's not actually the dash but the switch. The headlights work though...

 

[slimt]

You are aware the headlight switch can be turned left and right to dim down to nothing or brighten . When the park or headlight knob is pulled? Just asking.

 

[chillbill]

You are aware the headlight switch turns when the park or headlight knob is pulled? Just asking.

Yes

 

[slimt]

Yes

Just checking. Check the fuse? Then bulbs.

 

[Jerry Hall]

If they don't work at all the fuse or clean the fuse holder. Rust and dirt in a 50+ year old fuse box is a pain. Then there is the headlight switch that controls the brightness. The switch can work the headlights and parking lights and still be defective for the instrument lights. The turn signal indicators work independently of the cluster illumination. It's unlikely that all the illumination bulbs are bad, but possible. Lots of possibilities before you toss in the towel. Get a test light and the wiring diagram and trace the trouble down.

 

[493 Mike]

The coiled rheostat on the HL switch does corrode. Rock Auto sells Standard brand switches for low $.
Mike

 

[Rusty 72]

I would check the fuse. Easy to check if you have power there with a light before pulling the cluster.
Good luck.

 

[chillbill]

So, found the fusebox. It's on the driver side and can be accessed from the underside. And yes, the instrument panel fuse is blown.
Found this late as I've got the cluster out of the dash. There are a few blown bulbs in there so glad I got it out.
Now just trying to figure out how to put the speedo cable back in....

 

[chillbill]

I was able to take the instrument panel cover off, and that made it easy to install the cluster back.
However, just the left most bulb is working. This one is not connected directly to the cluster circuit.
The central connector needs to be wiggled for the indicator and oil light to work. Even then, the other ambient light bulbs (connected to the cluster circuit) don't work. I'm going to clean up and solder the connecter pins so they make good contact with the circuit and give it another try.

The 'blue' lights are the ambient bulbs

There are four blue lights

 

[chillbill]

Since the left bulb is independent of the circuit and it works, I'm inclined to think the switch is working and it's just the circuit.

 

[chillbill]

Lights are working now. The temperature gauge wasn't working before and it is now. Clock still doesn't work, although the seconds hand moves sometimes...

I just realized the speedometer now starts at 30 :/
I must've rotated it while tightening the cable? Is it easier to adjust it from the wheel/transmission end? I don't want to take the cluster out again