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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 116 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 116 | Last night I was driving around my '54 3800. The dash lights were working. I stopped at the gas station, turned the lights off. When I got back in the truck I pulled them on and the dash lights didn't go on. Headlights and all still work. I'm assuming that the bulb (s) blew? I can't find anywhere in the manuals about where the lights are. How should I fix this problem?
1942 BK 1/2 Ton Pickup
1954 3800 1 Ton Pickup
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall | | Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 | It seems odd that all of the bulbs would go bad at one time. I had the same problem with my 52panel and it turns out the NEW light switch is defective. I could twist the knob back and forth and would "sometime" see the dash lights flicker.
Perhaps you have the same problem??
...and of course, check the fuse panel for a bad fuse. | | | | | Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 116 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 116 | So I'm a beginner in a lot of this but the first thing I thought of was a bad fuse, however, didn't think this truck had fuses. Would they be under the hood in the black box attached to the fire wall?
1942 BK 1/2 Ton Pickup
1954 3800 1 Ton Pickup
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,675 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,675 | The dimmer rheostat on the light switch stalk is the most common cause. Try twisting the knob back and forth vigorously to see if you can rub away some of the corrosion. If that doesn't work, get a mirror up under the dash and look at the back of the light switch- - - -some of them have a built-in fuse for the dash lights. Last resort is a new switch.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 116 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 116 | It was the dimmer switch, it now works with a little wiggling back and forth. Thanks!
1942 BK 1/2 Ton Pickup
1954 3800 1 Ton Pickup
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 | If you can remove the knob, you could spray this rheostat cleaner/lubricant (or something like it - preferably with no silicone) to clean the oxidized contact surfaces. | | | | | Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 116 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 116 | Good to know! I'll try it!
1942 BK 1/2 Ton Pickup
1954 3800 1 Ton Pickup
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 1,747 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 1,747 | Yep the light switch. Common fails: dirty, burned out resistor and, loose wiper. On the AD type there is a "circuit" breaker like bit. Those contacts can get burned and dirty as well. Isopropyl based works well. No power when using please, it will burn until dry. Drys fast and cuts oils/grease, no silicone. https://www.zoro.com/crc-contact-cl...CPnuh5CQ38sCFWveMgod0v0PjA&gclsrc=ds
Steve H
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