[e0em9mlc]

Has anyone solved/improved the brightness of their SS gauge cluster lights...The dimness of the lights with OEM bulbs drive me nuts. Turn signal, E-brake, Bright light and Oil pressure indicator lights are fine...just reading the instruments (Amp, TAC, Speedo, Clock, Temp and Fuel) at night could be greatly improved... Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Mike

 

[modern malibu]

LEDS?

 

[keithb]

take it apart and clean the 50 years of dirt and grime from the lenses filter

 

[e0em9mlc]

LEDS?

I've used LEDs and OEM bulbs without any significant difference in illumination.

Mike

 

[e0em9mlc]

take it apart and clean the 50 years of dirt and grime from the lenses filter

No lenses to clean for the area in question (bulb goes into an open cavity in the housing)...the only lenses are Turn signal, E-brake, Bright light and Oil pressure indicator lights and they are fine. Issue is not enough candle power.

 

[72soft-top]

Maybe install a headlight relay harness. It takes the headlights off the instrument lighting.

 

[modern malibu]

This may sound too obvious, but are you sure the reostat on the headlight switch is turned to the maximum position? Superbright Led's is a good source for replacement bulbs for all auto and home applications.Many options to choose from.

 

[e0em9mlc]

This may sound too obvious, but are you sure the reostat on the headlight switch is turned to the maximum position? Superbright Led's is a good source for replacement bulbs for all auto and home applications.Many options to choose from.

Yes, it's in the correct position...Over the years I've owned 5 chevelles...never had one that provided good lighting to the dash at night. Looking for someone that may have found a solution to the problem.

Mike

 

[e0em9mlc]

Maybe install a headlight relay harness. It takes the headlights off the instrument lighting.

The lights are working and are bright...just not enough light for the area that the small bulb needs to cover to illuminate the cluster...

 

[blm]

Well the simple answer is LEDs. Ive gone round and round on my 69 and check out the thread below for a comparison between incadescent and LED bulbs. Dont know what year you are talking about but I would recommend changing the bulb sockets to Pico brand which are sold at Summit and Superbright LED bulbs which are only their own website. I used the "warm white" on all my LED bulbs as that is the closest to the tone of an incadescent bulb.

Started Led Project

Well one of the projects I am doing on my 69 the winter is to convert the interior over to LEDs. Had considered exterior brake/tail/turn signal LED bulbs but decided they dont make a big enough difference. Decided to change every interior bulb with the exception of the turn signal bulbs and the...

www.chevelles.com

And here is one showing the instrument bulbs in post # 14.

69 Instrument Bulb Sockets/ LED

I am dealing with removing my instrument bezel for I think the 4th time in the last 6 years. I have also decided to change the 1895 bulbs over to LEDs. Two problems I am dealing with is the plastic bulb sockets, which are AAW replacement sockets, do not stay engaged very well into the holes on...

www.chevelles.com

 

[Droptop72]

I installed LEDs (and cheap ones at that) and it made all the difference in the world. Before I did it, I legitimately could not read the the speedometer and gas gauge at night. I think the thing that probably makes as much difference as anything is that the LEDs are drawing less juice through my 49 year old printed circuit board.

 

[keithb]

No lenses to clean for the area in question (bulb goes into an open cavity in the housing)...the only lenses are Turn signal, E-brake, Bright light and Oil pressure indicator lights and they are fine. Issue is not enough candle power.

don’t forget the back of the cluster is painted in a green reflective paint. If there is to much dirt and grime back there it won’t work near as well My restored cluster with stock bulbs is very bright at night. Just saying

 

[p40]

like stated by some in this post get some superbright led bulbs they come in diff brightness and color iv got them in my 66 dash and made a world of diff

 

[blm]

Scratch what I said about the Pico sockets. Those are for a 69 and earlier. I see you have a 70. I believe they take a different bulb.
Here is a link for 70 bulbs.

1970 Chevrolet Chevelle LED Lights | Super Bright LEDs

Our Vehicle Bulb Finder is a quick and easy way to locate LED bulbs for your 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle. Whether you're searching for replacements for burned-out or dim incandescent bulbs or if you simply crave the long-lasting, energy-efficient, instant lighting...

www.superbrightleds.com

 

[e0em9mlc]

Thanks Guys...I think a better LED than I had before is in order...

Thanks again...Mike

 

[e0em9mlc]

I installed LEDs (and cheap ones at that) and it made all the difference in the world. Before I did it, I legitimately could not read the the speedometer and gas gauge at night. I think the thing that probably makes as much difference as anything is that the LEDs are drawing less juice through my 49 year old printed circuit board.

I hear you...sometimes I think GM didn't want me to be able to read the gas gauge. I think that's why it's so small and in the location they place it...LoL

Mike

 

[e0em9mlc]

Scratch what I said about the Pico sockets. Those are for a 69 and earlier. I see you have a 70. I believe they take a different bulb.
Here is a link for 70 bulbs.

1970 Chevrolet Chevelle LED Lights | Super Bright LEDs

Our Vehicle Bulb Finder is a quick and easy way to locate LED bulbs for your 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle. Whether you're searching for replacements for burned-out or dim incandescent bulbs or if you simply crave the long-lasting, energy-efficient, instant lighting...

www.superbrightleds.com

Just ordered some of the 5 SMD tower bulbs...I guess 5 is better than 1...LoL.

Mike

 

[modern malibu]

Just a note on leds, They are polarity sensitive. Test operation before installing the dash carrier into the opening.

 

[blm]

Just ordered some of the 5 SMD tower bulbs...I guess 5 is better than 1...LoL.

Mike

If you looked at the pics in the first link in post number 10, the bulbs you ordered in the same bulb that is shown in oil pressure gauge. That gauge takes a single bulb.

 

[Droptop72]

I hear you...sometimes I think GM didn't want me to be able to read the gas gauge. I think that's why it's so small and in the location they place it...LoL

Mike

Well, I have the idiot light SS dash with the BIG fuel gauge, and I STILL couldn't see it. Changing the heater panel bulb out for an LED made a huge difference for me too. It's still not as good as the car probably was new, but at least now I have some idea where the switch and levers are. That is a twist in bulb, and I had to switch the wires around to get the polarity right for that one. The 194 bulbs in the dash, if they don't work, you just spin them around and plug back in. As was said, don't reassemble anything until you are sure everything is working.