Gauge Cluster

[James C.]

Having trouble w/the "Brake"/"Light" lights on my gauge cluster. If I have the accessories on and turn on the lights the "Brake" light comes on but not the "light" light(headlights rolled up or down doesn't matter). Need a little help. I'm in new territory w/gauge clusters.

Thx.
Jim C.

[Rick A.]

Re: Gauge Cluster

Hey Jim - been sometie since I played around with gauge cluster - but sounds to me like you have a ground problem somewhere

[Richard M.]

Re: Gauge Cluster

Jim,

It seems like someone reversed the indicator bulb sockets between BRAKE and LIGHTS.

With key in RUN or ACC and the E-Brake set, does the LIGHTS lamp illuminate(assuming it's actually the BRAKE lamp which got reversed in the cluster)? If not, it may be a dead bulb or a problem with the E-Brake switch under the dash. The wire for the BRAKE lamp socket is Black. The ground for this lamp is a tab in the socket which presses on the metal cluster.

The bulb for the LIGHTS telltale indicator lamp should flash when the headlamps are on and the buckets are not rolled up to max. The wires to this socket are Gray/Blk and Light Blue. It should be a plastic socket. The bulb type is a #257. This is a special flasher bulb. When activated it comes on solid then after a few seconds begins to flash.

You'll have to gain access to those lamps by pulling the cluster rearward enough to get your hands up there. You may have to drop the steering column down a bit before loosening the cluster. Get 5 long 1/4"-20 bolts and replace each of the cluster attachment screws with the long bolts. This allows you to slide the cluster rearward a bit. Be careful you don't put too much strain on the oil gauge feed line. The tach and speedometer cables may give you some resistance. You may need to release the tach cable from the distributor.

edit.....after rereading your description....

OR

you had the Ebrake set, which turned on the BRAKE indicator, and the problem is just a LIGHTS telltale lamp circuit or microswitch problem. Up by the headlamp bucket motors are 4 Gray/Blk wires with plastic terminal insulators. Check that those are attached to the 2 microswitches.

Rich

[Norm B.]

Re: Gauge Cluster

A few years ago I had a problem on my '63 with the "Brake" light staying on. It was quite a while ago so I can't remember the exact details of correcting the problem other than it turned out to be just a minor adjustment to the switch near the bottom of the steering column. Try giving the brake handle a turn counterclockwise as far as it will go when all the way in the released position. If that results in the light going out then it is probably the adjustment of the switch.

The only thing that has me wondering a bit right now is that I am not sure if either light is supposed to illuminate in the Accessories position.

[James C.]

Re: Gauge Cluster

So I tried your advice, put the ignition on acc kept the parking brake on and turned on the lights w/the lights in the down position and the brake light came on and was solid not flashing so I am assuming the brake/light sockets so to speak are reversed and I don't have the bulb # 257 in.
So I'll pull the cluster reverse the sockets and get the correct bulbs. Thanks for all's advice and I'll let you know how I make out.

Jim C.