Good advice, Dick! Also, once the switch is removed a shot (or three) of tuner cleaner from Radio Shack, etc will clean most/all of the grungy buildup off of the rheostat. Since doing that, the dash lights on my '67 CC work fine! Since I had the cluster out, I also took care of cleaning the other switches as well.
Carl Falletta, '67 CC, Las Vegas NV
From: "Dick Benjamin" <dickb@xxxxxxxxx>
Reply-To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: RE: IML: 1968 Imperial Dashboard Lighting
Date: Thu, 24 Aug 2006 21:25:57 -0700
MIME-Version: 1.0
Received: from imperialclub.com ([206.55.133.79]) by bay0-mc8-f4.bay0.hotmail.com with Microsoft SMTPSVC(6.0.3790.2444); Thu, 24 Aug 2006 21:31:55 -0700
Received: from mail.sdccu.net [216.190.15.204] by darkterritory.com with ESMTP (SMTPD32-8.05) id AB061B5D0146; Thu, 24 Aug 2006 21:22:30 -0700
Received: from May252004 [67.150.10.251] by mail.sdccu.net with ESMTP (SMTPD32-8.15) id ABDA1A09003C; Thu, 24 Aug 2006 22:26:02 -0600
>Sorry, guys, the 67-68 headlight switch doesn't mount in the traditional
>way, and the dash light rheostat is on a separate assembly anyway. To
>service either of these controls, the sub assembly containing all the
>switches, including the washer, wiper, plus the rear fan, the twilight
>sentinel and the auto-pilot if so equipped has to come out to access the
>mounting screws for the switches, and to get at that, the cluster bezel has
>to come out first. Study the FSM for detailed instructions, else you may
>mar the steering column, or even damage the crushable sleeve that protects
>your chest in a front end collision. The plastic windows over the gauge
>legends are also very easily damaged - work with care!
>
>If your only problem is lack of dash lights, follow the suggestions
>regarding exercising your thumb until it's raw - my bet is that they will
>come back to life.
>
>These cars tend to sit for years without the owner ever changing the setting
>of this control - and layers of oxide build up on the windings of the
>rheostat. This is so common as to be almost a universal complaint with
>these and other cars with rheostat controlled dash illumination.
>
>Dick Benjamin (who's had so many 67-68 dashes apart I can almost do it in my
>sleep).
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>[mailto:mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Geoff Simpson
>Sent: Thursday, August 24, 2006 5:10 PM
>To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>Subject: Re: IML: 1968 Imperial Dashboard Lighting
>
>Tom,
> If you have to remove the switch from the dashboard you can release
>the knob and spindle by depressind a small springloaded button on the back
>of the switchblock and withdrawing the knob. You will then be able to
>unscrew the front lock ring and the switch will come out from the back.
>Unhook the batt 1st. Geoff Simpson
>
>_________________________________________________________________
>Need more speed? Get Xtra Broadband @
>http://jetstream.xtra.co.nz/chm/0,,202853-1000,00.html
>
>
>
>----------------- http://www.imperialclub.com -----------------
>This message was sent to you by the Imperial Mailing List. Please
>reply to mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and your response will be
>shared with everyone. Private messages (and attachments) for the
>Administrators should be sent to webmaster@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>To UN-SUBSCRIBE, go to http://imperialclub.com/unsubscribe.htm
>
>
>
>
>
>
>----------------- http://www.imperialclub.com -----------------
>This message was sent to you by the Imperial Mailing List. Please
>reply to mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and your response will be
>shared with everyone. Private messages (and attachments) for the
>Administrators should be sent to webmaster@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>To UN-SUBSCRIBE, go to http://imperialclub.com/unsubscribe.htm
>
Back to the Home of the Forward Look Network