Just finished wiring up the headlights and park lamps and they actually work. However, my instrument lights do not. All things being equal, is it possible to take the instrument light wire from the harness and attach it to the low beam terminal on the headlight switch so I can have working inistrument panel lights? Haven't checked the harness to see if it wired up correctly, but I'm pretty sure I didn't mess anything up. I really took my time doing it. The headlight switch is a used original BTW, but everything else is working fine. I'm thinking that the coil on the switch that controls the dimmer action for the instrument lights is not good anymore. Any experience with this? Andy
Andy, I fought the same battle and ended up buying a new switch from CP. Wired it up with no problem and moved on to the next item. Good luck, Gater
Yes, you can attach the instrument wire to the low beam contact of the headlight switch and the instrument lights should work when you get the headlights on. It appears you are aware that the dimmer function would not work then... no problems otherwise. Just in case the inst. lights still don't work, try putting a temporary ground wire to the instrument panel somewhere in case the panel itsself has failed to make a good ground.
Headlight switch Andy, I also had the same symptoms, and just like Gater I bought a new switch from CP and all was solved. Steve
Dash Illumination Andy ; Not sure why you'd want to wire it like that as they'll go out when you use the high beams ~ The usual fix is to attach them to the parklight circuit.....
Yabut... Yeah, but... When I turn the park lights on, they go on. When I turn on the headlights, the park lights go off. Is that right? Or are the park lights supposed to stay on when the headlights are on? If so, then the headlight switch is worse off than I thought. Andy
Cool That's a MUCH better idea than the low beam or the park lights Thanks Nate. You da man (as usual). Possible to install an external, under dash mounted dimmer on that? Just trying to save a buck as the new headlight switches are spendy and I'm on a budget. Trying to save any way I can and get it on the raod. Really close now. Tail lights, signals, rear bumper, windshield install, insure, register...DRIVE. THAT close. Andy
Yea , Right Just don't blame me when the <magic> smoke comes boiling out from under the dashboard........ I have an older headlight switch that doesn't have a dash dimmer rheostat.... ApparentlyAD's were the first GM trucks to have it , I'd thought it came in with the Task Force series. I don't think it necessary , YMMV . I want to see pictures of happy kids going to get ice cream in Daddy's truck !.
Nate, Wired it up late last night. Dash lights work great. You are right. No need for the dimmer. A nice warm antique glow to the instrument panel. Looks really cool. Adapter plate rigged for the '54 horn behind the '47-'53 grill and installed, wiper motor installed, original turn signal cup rebuilt and installed. Now on to completing the wiring; turn signals, rear harness extension and rear lights. Will wait for the kids to install the shocks, rear bumper and other small stuff. Andy
