I finaly had this car running at night and found that there are no dash lights I could not find anything in the owners manual about them is there a switch that dims them that I am missing?

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89 Ford F3504x4CC 7.3 IDI turboed Intercooler and running on wvo now powered by a 1997 Cumins
87 300SDL on bio and wvo killed by chevy truck 5-24-06
1999 E300TD black with gray int.

In my 83 300SD...
on the far left is a knob - it resets the trip odometer by pushing and dims/brightens the gauge lights by rotating. This knob connects to a rheostat on the back of the instrument cluster - rheostat may be corroded or the spring giving variable resistance may be broken. Mine had (2) 3 watt bulbs to illuminate the gauges - they may be burnt. There may be corrosion on the brass strips under the cream colored 4"x6" box that holds the gauge lights. Also, where the bulbs seat - look for corrosion there.

Thanks I will try that.

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89 Ford F3504x4CC 7.3 IDI turboed Intercooler and running on wvo now powered by a 1997 Cumins
87 300SDL on bio and wvo killed by chevy truck 5-24-06
1999 E300TD black with gray int.

On the instrument cluster is two quarter inch knobs below and each side of the speedometer the left one is for adjusting the dash lights. The reostat is notorius for disentagrating, I have made repairs to them but with a 1983 you should be looking for a new reostat.

It was the reostate I removed it jumped the two pins on the back of the dash and the lights came on .So I took it apart and found that it was a little corroded sanded wiper and put it back to gethere and they work.

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89 Ford F3504x4CC 7.3 IDI turboed Intercooler and running on wvo now powered by a 1997 Cumins
87 300SDL on bio and wvo killed by chevy truck 5-24-06
1999 E300TD black with gray int.