[RonAndDads'68]

Hi guys, great board!! I'm trying to get my dash lights working. There looks to be two different types of sockets. I'm working on the right side cluster, the one with the clock, not the speedo.I pulled a socket with one grey wire off of the back of the dash, and I think the bulb fell into the dash. This socket, with the one grey wire, has holes for stabs from the dash to hold the socket in place. The other sockets (temp, oil, etc) look to be different, as they seem to clip into their holes. My first question is , are there two different type bulbs, one for idiot lights and one for illumination? and second, can i replace these from the back?
Thanks

 

[dreinecke]

First off, welcome to Team Chevelle!

The grey wires are the dash lights like you said, and yes, you can replace them from the back. It is a little tough though, and there is very little slack in some of the wires. The metal part attaches to the actual socket and then snaps into the dash hole. These like to come loose though and fall out alot, so most folks get a good glue and glue them into the socket.

These are two different bulbs if I'm not mistaken.

Also, if you look at the back of the cluster, the holes are marked with what goes where.

------------------
David Reinecke - aka - FINE 68
1968 Chevelle 300 Sport Coupe Deluxe
http://home.att.net/~thereineckes/

 

[Gene McGill]

Just to clarify what David said- The "stabs" that are on the dash you are refering to are actually part of the socket, but have become detached when attempting to remove the socket from the dash. Had this piece remained attached to the socket, you would not have lost the bulb inside the carrier. What you need to do is remove that piece and glue it to the socket, as David suggests, prior to replacing the bulb.

 

[68Elkie]

What I noticed on my '68 dash is that the Dash Lights are the ones on the single gray wires with the metal pieces that fall off (I got three loose bulbs in one of the holes.) The bulbs for the idiot lights are two wires and have a full socket that you plug into the back of the dash.

As far as bulbs go: (for my '68)
Instrument Lamps: 1816 (3cp)
Indicator Lamps: 1895 (2cp)
Hi Beam Indicator: 1445 (1cp)

They are all "Miniature Bayonet" bases, but notice the different 'Candlepower' ratings.

A good reference that I use for bulbs is at http://www.electerm.com/lauto.html

Good luck - and if anybody has any extra 'metal parts', I'm missing three of them.


------------------
Ed
'68 El Camino (Current Project)
'66 Caddy Conv (Cruiser)
'87 Vette Conv (Daily Driver)

 

[RonAndDads'68]

Hey thanks for the info guys!!! I got the rest of the sockets out and are letting the glue dry as I type this.I also found that one of the stabs is broke off on one of the sockets. Sure seems like a bad design. I'm going to try to measure the hole and see if i cant find an indicator light that would just replace the sockets and bulbs all in one. Hey 68Elkie thanks for that url, but where did you get the cp rating?
Thanks again, and I'll post if i find a repalcement.

 

[68Elkie]

I'm glad you asked - ignore my previous post. I bought a 1968 Wiring Diagram and there's a light bulb table on the front page. I was going to scan it for you, but just noticed that it's labeled 64-67. (And that was the only page that's not included in my Factory Assembly Manual, which I should've bought first!)

So, I checked a 64-71 Chilton Manual. It says for 64-68 Chevelle, the Instrument Panel lamps are 1895; 2cp, and the rest of the bulbs are the same as the Chevy II. The Chevy II listing says Gas, temp, oil, hi-beam indicator, clock are all 1895; 2cp, and Traffic Hazard (which I assume means turn signal indicators) are 1445; 1cp.

Looks like I'll be changing some of my bulbs - I didn't think the dash looked quite right - turn sigs too bright and hi-beam too weak.
--
Ed


Instrument Panel

 

[RonAndDads'68]

ok , hey thanks again. i think the super glue held, but i'm still going to try to find a replacement panel bulb/socket to replace them with. Anybody need any 1816's?
LOL

[This message has been edited by RonAndDads'68 (edited 11-26-2002).]