dash board lights

[72cruzr]

I have no dash lights for night driving. Can't see the speedometer or gauges. the paper sheet is corroded. Is this a replaceable item? Any experts out there? Thanks.

Perry

[centurion 455 ragtop]

My guess its the fuse. Its the smallest fuse. Or it can be the headlight switch is bad

[Smartin]

Or the headlight switch is turned down all the way. Try turning the headlight knob counterclockwise until it stops. If you go further, it will turn the interior lights on manually. If it is already up all the way, then look for the fuse.

[Gum,beest]

Check the first suggestions first
The light are replaceable but it is a nightmare to do
And if you have replaced them like i did the lighting isn't very bright i am thinking of replacing them to led
You have to remove the dash pad and disconnect the speedo cable and loosen the dash cluster then you can move it enough forward to replace the bulbs
If you have to do his replace all the light bulbs

[73 Centurion]

"the paper sheet is corroded"

I'm not sure what you're refering to. There is plastic sheet on the back of the speedometer housing that has copper traces to run the lights. If this is corroded you should probably replace it. Instrument panels pop up on eBay from time to time, or you can use one from any full size Buick from 1971-1973.

Do you have lights in the clock or behind the heater controls? If those light up the fuse and headlight switch are working fine and you'll need to replace the bulbs.

The clock is one of the easier bulbs to replace. Remove the stereo knobs and gently pry the decorative plate off. Behind the plate 2 screws hold the clock in place. Remove them and you can get at the bulb on the back. Replace that bulb first and see if you can get it to light up. If it works you can replace the rest. If it doesn't work you need to check the switch and fuse. Once you get the clock bulb working you'll probably have some of the other lights working, but you'll probably still have some burned out bulbs to replace.

If nothing is lit then you should try turning the headlight switch (it's the easiest fix). If you get a flicker then try turning the knob back and forth to hopefully clean the contacts.

If you have no lights and no flicker you can check the fuse. If you don't find a problem you'll either have to spend some quality time with a voltmeter tracing the circuit and finding the problem, or you'll spend some money paying a mechanic to do it.

There are directions for removing your dashpad elsewhere on this site. Once the pad is off you have pretty good access to the wiring and the bulbs. You can reach the bulbs from under the dashboard but I wouldn't recommend it. It's easier to remove the pad and work from the top.

Let us know what you find,

John