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Dash Cluster Lights

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

  1. Jul 18, 2020
    Garrett Pirkey

    Garrett Pirkey Member

    East texas
    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2020
    Messages:
    50
    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?
     
  2. Jul 18, 2020
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2013
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    5,593
    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...
     
  3. Jul 18, 2020
    Garrett Pirkey

    Garrett Pirkey Member

    East texas
    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2020
    Messages:
    50

    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
     
  4. Jul 19, 2020
    Ohiowrangler

    Ohiowrangler Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Newark, Ohio
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    May 29, 2019
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    The bulb grounds thru the retaining clips. For test purposes you can ground it to any bare steel it will reach. Ron
     
  5. Jul 19, 2020
    Walt Couch

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

    cordele, Ga.
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    Mar 29, 2007
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    The last picture shows the light socket has both red and black wire. Red=power black=ground.
     
  6. Jul 19, 2020
    Garrett Pirkey

    Garrett Pirkey Member

    East texas
    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2020
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    50
    Picture is kinda deceiving Wires are dirty, only has orange wire.
     
  7. Jul 20, 2020
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    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.
     
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