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Dash Cluster Lights

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by Garrett Pirkey, Jul 18, 2020.

  1. Garrett Pirkey

    Garrett Pirkey Member

    1977 CJ5

    the other night, I went through and tested and sorted all the wires that come through the speedo area. Each orange wire with light socket is for the spedo lights or other dash lights.

    I’ve tested with both Style test lights and when I pull the light switch I get power, but when I put a bulb in, I get nothing. I’ve turned the knob to make sure it’s not being dimmed and nothing. I’m using #53 lights per the manual.

    Any ideas?
     
    Garrett Pirkey, Jul 18, 2020
    #1
  2. FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Does the bulb socket ground into the housing?...maybe need to clean a bit of paint or make some fresh surface for the bulb socket to ground to....and maybe make sure the speedo housing is grounded to the dash through the mounting bolts (or just run a ground wire yourself). Kind of guessing its a grounding issue...
     
    FinoCJ, Jul 18, 2020
    #2
  3. Garrett Pirkey

    Garrett Pirkey Member


    I’m not sure where it grounds, only has one
    Wire coming in, I ran a test wire from the metal frame around the socket with no luck. See pictures below.


    https://photos.app.goo.gl/FHT73xrcsyXsreaS7

    https://photos.app.goo.gl/K7R79HxFpHkcbWcS8
     
    Garrett Pirkey, Jul 18, 2020
    #3
  4. Ohiowrangler

    Ohiowrangler Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    The bulb grounds thru the retaining clips. For test purposes you can ground it to any bare steel it will reach. Ron
     
    Ohiowrangler, Jul 19, 2020
    #4
  5. Walt Couch

    Walt Couch sidehill Cordele, Ga. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    The last picture shows the light socket has both red and black wire. Red=power black=ground.
     
    Walt Couch, Jul 19, 2020
    #5
  6. Garrett Pirkey

    Garrett Pirkey Member

    Picture is kinda deceiving Wires are dirty, only has orange wire.
     
    Garrett Pirkey, Jul 19, 2020
    #6
  7. timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    If there is a single wire, the socket must be grounded to the cluster or dash for the light to work. If in the cluster, the cluster must be grounded to the dash. Use a clip lead and connect the metal part of the bulb socket to the dash and see if it lights. Be sure you are using a good bulb - test it for continuity with your multimeter.
     
    timgr, Jul 20, 2020
    #7