re turn signal dash light ?

[Wayne P.]

My right dash turn signal appears to be missing the green plastic piece. goes into a cardboard tube
I believe the light has come loose and fallen out. not sure how the bulb attaches.
Is this accessible from under the dash or do I need to move the cluster out from the dash
using longer bolts to slide out ? Thanks for any suggestions.
Happy new year.

[Donald O.]

Re: re turn signal dash light ?

While it has been at least 20 years since I had my cluster out, you will need to pull the cluster away from the dash pads. If you have a small dental or inspection mirror and a small light source you can then at least look into the light's cavity and see whats what.

DonO

[Edward J.]

Re: re turn signal dash light ?

Wayne, I cannot see that green plastic piece falling into the cluster since the card board tube holds it in.If the socket fell out then you should try the longer bolts trick and slide it back, a note - The oil pressure line on engine side should be undone, tach. cable ( at distributor ) un-done, and reach hand under dash for speedo cable.

[Joe R.]

Re: re turn signal dash light ?

Wayne,

Sorry to break the bad news but that cluster will have to be removed from the car for the lens to be replaced. The cardboard tube is held in place by the outer bezel on the back of the cluster. The cardboard tube hold the lens in place. I just don't see any way around removing the cluster. Someone in the past probably has used an oversize bulb and it burned or crystalized the green lens. It will have to be replaced.

JR

JR

[Norm B.]

Re: re turn signal dash light ?

I agree that you will have to pull the cluster. It will be an almost impossible task otherwise. I attached a couple of pictures from my '63 to give you an idea of what the back of it looks like.

P1020198.JPG - Resized.jpgP1020205.JPG - Resized.jpg

[Wayne P.]

Re: re turn signal dash light ?

Thanks for all the info and pictures. Looks like an extended winter project. electrical isn't my strong point but willing to try. Digital camera always helps.

[Norm B.]

Re: re turn signal dash light ?

Hi Wayne,

There is lots of information available on pulling the instrument panel. It is not that daunting a task but it does require a little dexterity and lots of patience. No real expertise in anything electrical is required other than unplugging wires and lights. I put little masking tape labels on each light wire as I unplugged it and it gave me a lot more confidence when I put it back together. Since my car is a driver I left the labels on and that made the job so much easier the second time around a couple of years later when I had to pull the panel for a different reason. The most difficult or annoying thing was removing the oil pressure line. If I remember correctly it was a 1/4" wrench but I could only turn it about 1/16th of a turn each time I put the wrench on. I suggest that you consider ordering all new bulbs before you start and so you can replace them before you re-install the panel.

Here is something like what you will see once you get the panel out;

P1020196.JPG - Resized.jpg

[Wayne P.]

Re: re turn signal dash light ?

Thanks for the pictures. I noticed a couple capacitors . I only have one on the amp meter.
Some previous owner has also notched out the bottom curved part that goes against the steering column. I will have to source a new panel.

[Wayne P.]

Re: re turn signal dash light ?

Well I took the plunge and have the cluster taken out. Found the bulb came out.
I the cluster apart and used a water based paint stripper to take all the paint off.
Ordered a bulb set and Amp meter from Long Island .
Would anybody have a suggestion for the silver bezel paint and the Black dash paint.
I would like to get it as close as possible . I can post pictures later. Thanks

[Donald O.]

Re: re turn signal dash light ?

Wayne, I would use SEM Trim Black. To me, it has the perfect black and gloss. I used it on my 67's cluster and console.
DonO

[Wayne P.]

Re: re turn signal dash light ?

Thanks Donald Would you also remember the silver / gray color for the Benzyls ? The part that requires painted inside and out that is only showing chrome on the to edge.

[Dan H.]

Re: re turn signal dash light ?

Wayne, Krylon Dull Aluminum will look great on the bezels.
Dan