Dash lights not working.

[Jim E]

'69 Dart instrument panel not lighting up. Looking up behind drivers side left in a clamp I see [ for lack of better knowledge} what looks like a condenser for points. This has a short black wire with a flat male connector. Any advise or experience in this area?

 

[Professor Fate]

That capacitor is used with the instrument voltage limiter for noise suppression and voltage filter. The tab on the wire shares a slot with the middle leg of the limiter.
As far as the lights not working, make sure (especially if the cluster has been out) that the board has a good solid ground- these clusters are pretty finicky with that. I usually run a separate ground wire from the board to the dash frame to ensure a solid reliable ground. This is assuming you have confirmed that you have power in to the light circuit.

 

[67Dart273]

Here is how dash lights work. The headlight switch has TWO power sources. B1, which is UNfused, and comes direct from the ammeter circuit, feeds only the headlights.

B2, which comes from a fuse in the panel, feeds, power to operate park/ tail, and dash lamps

The dash dimmer control -- (wiggle and twist the headlight switch knob to clean the rheostat and make sure it is twisted toward the left, CCW) --it receives power inside the HL switch from the same B2 source. This means the tail/ park lights MUST be working before the dash lamps can work

The dimmer controlled power is sent out on tan wire DOWN TO the fuse panel where it goes through the INST fuse. Then fed out to all dimmer controlled lamps on ORANGE wire.

I would start by checking tail park lamps, working/ twisting the dimmer several times, and then with the switch in park and the dimmer twisted substantially left, access the fuse box. Look underneath for the fuse with a tan on one end and several orange on the other. Check with a lamp/ meter and see if you have power there.

 

[67Dart273]

If you do not have a service manual/ wiring diagrams, wander over to MyMopar.Com. You can download factory manuals there, free, and aftermarket wiring diagrams which are somewhat simplified and sometimes easier to follow. Not all years have manuals for both Dodge and Plymouth, so sometimes you have to be happy with the "opposite" brand

 

[Jim E]

I thank y'all for this information. I do have a wiring diagram but will check in on that manual ya suggested. Looks like I will have to remove the panel to make sure all is done. Purchased this a few months ago and thought this would be a good investment to join FABO, APPRECIATE the help!