Help! Instrument lighting

[robert31]

New member and new vette owner. My 81 has very dim instrument lights. Turned the light switch from off to full but still no increase in intensity. Is this normal?

 

[Antz81]

Welcome to the CAC

In my experience the lights don't get super bright. But there is a easily noticeable difference when turning the knob. If you don't get this variation then the switch may have failed.

 

[82ColEd]

As well as the above, i also have had it where the bulbs (the tiny ones) start fading over time or fail. To get them replaced, you'll need to pull the cluster forward to get to it from behind.
Welcome to the !


Stefan

 

[robert31]

As well as the above, i also have had it where the bulbs (the tiny ones) start fading over time or fail. To get them replaced, you'll need to pull the cluster forward to get to it from behind.
Welcome to the !


Stefan

Yeah, I kind of thought that due to age, the bulbs may be weakening but all of the gauges are difficult to see at night. Could be old age of the driver also.

 

[bill81vette]

Welcome to CAC!!!!
Try new bulbs and see if it makes a difference....
The one for the HVAC selector is the only one you really can't see until its dark.
Good luck!!!

 

[Yoda]

Robert & Welcome...

Here is an old thread that may shed some light on this subject
Specifically Post #8

Bud

 

[robert31]

Thanks all for the comments. When I replace the factory radio I'll check the bulbs. I plan on keeping the radio in case the new buyer (if I sell the car) wants to go back to original condition.

 

[Lakeside49]

I installed "soft white" (to avoid the cool blue hue which is a personal preference) wedge LED bulbs and I drilled out the down fire lighting hole for the A/C controls to be about 20-25% larger and night driving is great again. Who cares about losing most of the dimming feature with LEDs, because, when you can't see the factory instruments clearly because they're already too dim....