Need help with gauges not lighting up
 

Hey there, I need some help.
Here is the dash before. I know it looks pretty well lit but it's not. Something isn't right. The speedo light is perfect. But the other side is just barely lit. I think my phone adjusted the lighting. It doesn't look that good or I'd not worry with it.
I got new LEDs in today and have put them in all 11 sockets. (one was empty)
I tried them with the old twist housings and some with the new twist housings. But it still looks the same.
Any thoughts?
Gauges work fine. It's getting connection and power or they wouldn't be working.
The red engine light comes on when cranking, etc.
It's the left side that doesn't look right. Very dim. Dimmer is all the way up.
Just one of those things that bugs a guy.,..
Again, my phone made them look bright. They're not.
Thanks.


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.yot...cad46da6c8.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.yot...958a1cc8fe.jpg

Electricity problems? Better call RAD4Runner!

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/members/101367.html

Thanks.
Here's what's going on now

• With both the NEW and the OLD twist in connectors NO LEDS WORK> These LEDs are new and the specs say they will fit my year model.
  THIS is what I bought
  THIS is what I bought
  . I even bought another at an Autozone (paid 10 bucks for one) to test and it doesn't work in either connector either.

• The old original bulbs work better in the new connectors, which tell me the connectors were the problem, just not making good contact anymore.

So, being that the connectors seem to be the problem and the new ones can correct the dimness, I can replace the old bulbs with new bulbs and probably be ok.
My questions are:
#1; why do NONE of the LED's work when I know other guys have replaced, in the same model truck, LEDs and they work fine.
#2; Saying I'll go back with the original bulb, what number is the bulb? The numbers have all worn off. 168?

Thanks

Wow! Just saw "Dixie"! Beautiful truck but even more beautiful story about her!
Let's get her restored...

So you mean eve the old dash had the problem where one side is dim? Meaning it is not the fault of the LED's? Then, let's keep it simple. Stick to the original bulbs and not UPGRADE the problem.

Let's troubleshoot the original problem. I think there is some power loss to the left side.
Got multi-meter? Go to harbor Freight if you don't have one.
Got schematic to the dash lights?
Which of the connectors on the rear view go to the dim lights?
Do you see exposed metal trace / points that you can probe on the rear?

Thanks bud.
Ok, I got it all fixed. After being told the LEDs were polarized, I didn't know that, I took all of them out.
Hooked up the cluster with a spot that I could get my hand in and tested each of them. I used the left turn signal slot because it was convenient.
I had to flip more than half of the LEDs in the new connectors for them to light up in that turn signal slot. So then I had 10 working LEDs.
I put them all back in the cluster but some of them still didn't work.
So, I took the cluster back out, took them all out and LIGHTLY sanded each copper or brass or whatever it is around each of the holes that they screwed into.
Put them all back in and badabing...they all work now.
Will post a night pic later.
Got the speedo hooked back up.
Now just gotta get the trim back around it all.
Then next step is to await the new/old OEM radio shipping out tomorrow.
I've reconstructed the bracing (from where we fubarred it 30 something years ago) and tested the dud radio I bought to go back in there, so that's ready.
Wires are all ready to splice back into it and the plug.
Then put the bezel back that I bought a couple years ago to replace the one that we fubarred also. (cut the black box out to put a equalizer in it because we thought it'd look more cool.)
Then put all of the air ducts back. I disconnected the ones running to the side defrosters. But the others should hook back up ok. 'SHOULD'.
Then, it's off to get some body work done; rusted spots in bed and snarked right front bumper from another idiotic moment in my life.
There's Dixie's update! :)
Thanks for the help!
Mark

Here's a before and after.
So glad I did this.
Amazing the difference. I don't think they were that bright when I drove her off the lot in 1981. lol

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.yot...69e2a7d7a8.jpg

lovely!
Glad u got it fixed quickly!
Like my signature says, suspect connections first

Any chance I can get that old "dud" radio from ya?
I just want to fill the holes