Dim bulbs in cluster?

[Cubey]

Is there something common that makes the bulbs in the cluster be very dim? I searched before posting this, and the only thread that was relevant was from 2011, with no resolution to the problem.

The OD switch on the dash and the HVAC controls are good and bright, and the dimmer does function. But the cluster is quite dim, when set at full brightness.

I had to adjust the brightness and contrast of the photo to make it look more like how it does to the human eye, because the camera wanted to make it look perfectly normal.

I suppose it could just be tired bulbs... but I had a 78 Dodge that was so dim, even with cheap LEDs, I had to put a front light strip of LEDs because even in daytime, it was hard to see the speedometer.

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[ihc1470]

Need to mearsure voltage to the bulbs and check for a good ground. The other issue I have seen a few times is over the years the bulbs get a coating of dust and that kills light output.

 

[Cubey]

Need to mearsure voltage to the bulbs and check for a good ground. The other issue I have seen a few times is over the years the bulbs get a coating of dust and that kills light output.

It appears that there's only two bulbs for the entire backlight on 3rd gen Econoline clusters.

Pics from eBay listings for reference. The other two bulbs between the side gauges are for turn signals and warnings. Top bulb is high beam. Bottom one.... not sure. Maybe it's also backlight.

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[franklin2]

See those green dome looking covers in the first picture? Those get old and cloudy over time and will not pass any light. This is a big problem on the 1980-1986 trucks. Your van cluster looks very much related to those older trucks.

I take the cluster and turn it over to the circuit board side and take a pencil and shove those green covers out after I take the bulb out of the way. If you want bright, then this will make a huge improvement, I do it to any older truck with this setup in it. The only difference it makes, which I do not mind, it makes the backlighting a yellow color from the bare bulbs. Some people do not like this, so they punch the covers out but then buy bulbs with colored lenses on them.

 

[IDIBRONCO]

I take the cluster and turn it over to the circuit board side and take a pencil and shove those green covers out after I take the bulb out of the way.

That's a great idea. I can remember when, at least some cars, had yellow (non colored) dash lights from the factory.

 

[Cubey]

See those green dome looking covers in the first picture? Those get old and cloudy over time and will not pass any light. This is a big problem on the 1980-1986 trucks. Your van cluster looks very much related to those older trucks.

The cluster is based on 1973-79 F series.

I ran across 8 green LEDs for $16 being, being sold as for 67-79 F series, with a 73-79 photo. I'm not in a big hurry, so I'll entertain other options. I almost never drive when it's very dark. That's why it took me over a year to realize they were dim.

The RV didn't have that issue oddly enough. I never had to touch the bulbs. But it was much lower mileage, so that's probably a factor.

 

[Cubey]

The whole dash is based on the look of 73-79 F-series, since 3rd gen Econoline came out in 1975.

77 F150:

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My 89 E350:

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[Rdnck84_03]

May want to check and see if those led bulbs are dimmable, some are blindingly bright and won't turn off even with the dimmer all the way down.

James

 

[Cubey]

May want to check and see if those led bulbs are dimmable, some are blindingly bright and won't turn off even with the dimmer all the way down.

James

The LEDs were in a 78 Dodge I haven't had for almost 10 years I was just mentioned how I had a dim cluster issue before. I tried regular 194s first, then tried LEDs. LEDs were slightly better but still dim.

 

[The_Josh_Bear]

Another issue with dim dash lights, or anything really, is the ground wire. A corroded one will make dim lights. Clean=full current!

 

[Cubey]

Another issue with dim dash lights, or anything really, is the ground wire. A corroded one will make dim lights. Clean=full current!

That was my first thought also. I dunno how it gets ground on these