Over the past year, Just finished interior work in my 1986 IROC-Z. Added a aplpine amplifier, and Rockford speaker system and pulled it out of the garage a couple of nights ago and noticed that my dashboard lighting system is dim...could it be a amperage thing? Or could it be that the switch is filthy? Some of my buddies think I should check the "big Three" in my electrical system. I don't think I have a stock 104 amp alternator. Could the amplifier be draining my system? Need some help here.

 

Unless your lights are dimmer than normal, the issue is common in our cars. Many members replace the bulbs with higher intensity bulbs or try the LED route. Painting the inside of the bezel also helps.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/body...r-cluster.html

JamesC

 

LED Light Bulbs...I like the idea...can I purchase some that will simply plug in or to I have to get crafty with them? I like the idea of working the dash panel in lays. My interior colors are burgundy and maroon brick...probably not the best Interior colors to use to illuminate maybe a gloss white...I plan on just doing the dials. don't feel I need to do the idiot lights. Back to LED lights. I would love to convert to them. They use a lot less amps to run and I hear they're pretty bright.


I also discovered something today: I was moving the dash light dimmer switch, and my stereo (Bose) clock display began to flicker. Can I simply remove the switch and clean it with di-electric cleaner and a swab? Or if I can't, can I even source a new switch for an 1986 IROC-Z anymore?

 

I'll let you know in a couple days if they are worth the money. My car has 11 illumination lamps and 11 service/turn/hb lamps and 2 empty sockets (if memory serves me right). Of course you don't need THAT color, but I hear the 5050s are brighter than the ummm...let me look...3528s. The numbers represent size, 50x50 vs 35x28 and 5050s use a different setup. From what I read about them real fast doing research for mine. I also tested the resistances on the back of the gauges, had a couple 50+ ohms so I cleaned them and now down to under 1 ohm on every connection. As far as dimming goes, not sure if led's will or not. Also not sure if the dimmer switch itself is to blame. Mine had about 3/4 of the bulbs blown back there too. Dim lights.

 

My initial test is showing good results as far as brightness, but no dimmer. And it is 11 illumination, 11 service spots with 2 unused. 19 total lights.

 

My dash light for speedometer don't always come on. Drive it for a while and they start working again. Where is the connector for them?

 

its common for the bulbs to have a coat of dust on them . also the circuit board contacts turn brown (corrode ) from age. i use a pencil eraser to clean the board and the bulb holder contacts. and , of course i clean the dust off the bulbs. doing all this cleaning helps with the accuracy of the gauges ,and helps the illumination a whole lot

 

I love the LED lights too but no dimmer function. I think they do make LED bulbs that will dim like stock but are more pricey last I checked.