Dash Lights Update:
I replaced the two 3W lighting bulbs on the dash cluster today and removed the rheostat for inspection and possible rebuild. In the meantime, I simply fitted some crimps to the two posts on the back of the dash - same as by passing the rheostat.
This did not yield the results I was hoping for.
With the lights turned on:
- No main illumination from either of the new bulbs (inserted to match bulbs that I took out)
- High Beam Indicator light ON when High Beams OFF. OFF when high beams ON. (Neat!)
- Blinker lights both illuminated always
- Center console lights illuminated fine
So, that's worse than before. So I disconnected the rheostat bypass and cluster returned to previous state which to recap is:
- Everything works as expected except the main illumination. And the dimming from the rheostat of course. And no console lights are on, too.
Anyone heard/seen behavior like this before? Seems very odd and not at all what I expected.
Also,
of note: s
omeone else has been back here messing with things. There is a wire attached to one of the terminal posts:
The connected wire terminates behind the dash in a grouping of other wires. A ground of some sort? The crimps used on the wire are not factory so I assume this was an attempt to fix/do something.
Not sure what the next course of action is, if no ideas- I'll bust out the voltmeter and see what is/isn't getting power.