Volvo RWD 140-160 Forum

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Instrument lighting 140-160

posted by  dakotaboy on  Sat Jan 22 22:55 CST 2011
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last visit: Mon Oct 6 11:53 CST 2014
[RELATED]

Looking for help to tackle one nuisance item with my 140. The instrument panel does not light up at night. I've swapped a couple of clusters and each of them behave the same. Is there something like a ground that goes bad somewhere under the dash?

Thanks.








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    Instrument lighting 140-160

    uid 37336's pic
    posted by  B20Paul. on  Sun Jan 23 08:47 CST 2011
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    last visit: Mon Oct 20 10:54 CST 2014
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    Probably the rheostat, I always delete mine because full bright ain't that bright anyhow.

    --
    Three 164's, Two 144's, One 142 & a partridge in a pear tree.








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    Instrument lighting 140-160

    uid 37893's pic
    posted by  R Salesman on  Sun Jan 23 07:14 CST 2011
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    last visit: Mon Jul 30 19:30 CST 2012
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    First, make sure the fuse isn't blown. Then check the condition of the rheostat (internally). If it looks corroded, consider by-passing the rheostat and hard-wiring to full bright.
    --
    '74 164E








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    Instrument lighting 140-160

    posted by  derek uk on  Sun Jan 23 06:39 CST 2011
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    last visit: Fri Oct 24 12:33 CST 2014
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    Can we assume that the rheostat is wired in correctly and functioning as it should? Fully turned to one end of the control switches off the lighting.








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      Instrument lighting 140-160

      uid 5322's pic
      posted by  alschnertz on  Sun Jan 23 07:05 CST 2011
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      last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:32 CST 2014
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      I second the rheostat.
      With age, they become "chalky" and deteriorate.
      It's ususally pretty easy to clean them up and get them working again, however the instrument cluster will have to come out - still pretty easy.
      Make sure the ends of the rheostat wire are very clean where they are rivetted.

      If all else fails, I think I have one or two extras.







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        Instrument lighting 140-160

        posted by  dakotaboy on  Sun Jan 23 09:05 CST 2011
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        last visit: Mon Oct 6 11:53 CST 2014
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        Well that was an overwhelming vote for the rheostat being the culprit. I'll pull the cluster and clean it up a bit.

        The only thing that makes me wonder whether this is the problem is that I've swapped two other clusters only to find the same results.

        Looking at the electrical diagram, there is a wire that goes to ground. I don't know where it is located under the dash however.

        Thanks in advance for the suggestions.








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          Instrument lighting 140-160

          uid 5322's pic
          posted by  alschnertz on  Sun Jan 23 09:14 CST 2011
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          last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:32 CST 2014
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          Are the lights for the climate controls working?
          They are not intended to dim with the instrument cluster - at least on '68-'72 models
          What I'm getting at is that if those are working but the instrument cluster is not, I would be even more suspect of the rheostat.







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            Instrument lighting 140-160

            posted by  dakotaboy on  Sun Jan 23 12:56 CST 2011
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            last visit: Mon Oct 6 11:53 CST 2014
            [RELATED]

            No, the lights for the climate controls did not work.

            However, I have had success. All those that had suggested the rheostat as the culprit were dead on.

            I took mine apart and there was enough crud to keep it from functioning. Putting it back together with the two little springs in place in my garage at sub 30'F temp was challenging. Put the cluster back together and relocated it into the dash. Voila, the repairs worked!

            Thanks to all for pointing me in the right direction.







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