Dash lights not working - where to start

[Tims65]

My dash lights are not coming on. The turn signals and high beam indicator work, but the dash will not light up when I pull the headlight switch.

Any ideas? Where should I start?

Thanks,
Tim

 

[JeffTepper]

Try turning your headlight switch knob clockwise and counter clockwise (back and forth) while the headlights are on to see if the rheostat in the switch is set to "dim" rather than "bright". If that isn't it check your fuses. Lastly, check the instrument bezel power wire coming out of the headlight switch to see if it is getting power from the switch (I think it is the blue wire with a red stripe but check a wiring diagram for your year model to make sure. Hopefully one of these suggestions will yield a solution. If not, reprot back and we'll try again.

 

[Tims65]

Try turning your headlight switch knob clockwise and counter clockwise (back and forth) while the headlights are on to see if the rheostat in the switch is set to "dim" rather than "bright"...

Checked the dimmer switch, no lights.

...If that isn't it check your fuses...

Are the gauge lights fused separate from the turn signal switch/high beam indicator?

Lastly, check the instrument bezel power wire coming out of the headlight switch to see if it is getting power from the switch (I think it is the blue wire with a red stripe but check a wiring diagram for your year model to make sure. Hopefully one of these suggestions will yield a solution. If not, reprot back and we'll try again.

Again, does this power feed just the gauge lights, not the turn signal light and highbeam indicator?

Thanks for the reply,
Tim

 

[JeffTepper]

Checked the dimmer switch, no lights.
The "dimmer switch" usually refers to the floor mounted switch for the high beam headlights. The dash lights are controlled by the headlight switch knob in the dash. Did you rotate the knob with the headlights on?
Are the gauge lights fused separate from the turn signal switch/high beam indicator? Yes
Again, does this power feed just the gauge lights, not the turn signal light and highbeam indicator? Yes

Thanks for the reply,
Tim

 

[Jonk67]

Just to verify, you did twist the headlight switch knob with the lights on, correct? Also, this just occurred, they were working previously?
The headlights, TS, horn, etc. all use the headlight switch as their fuse/relay. The dash lights should not be on that circuit.

Here's the wiring diagram for '65:
http://hammar.dyndns.org/~djhamma/wiring/wiring1965.htm

Here is the schematic for the dash lights, looks like they're #19 blue/red stripe
http://hammar.dyndns.org/~djhamma/wiring/1965/1965g.jpg

Find which fuse is 19 and see if you have power entering and coming from the fuse, then see if you have power at the pigtail where the dashlights unplug to remove the bezel, then verify you have power at the socket.
Follow it from the fuse to the lights. It just takes a $3 12V test light.
Jon