L E D Bulbs In Stock Gauge Cluster

[Gearbanger 101]

So last season, I bit the bullet and did the swap. First off, I gotta say.....HUGE improvement. Made me like my stock gauge cluster all over again.

I changed all of the bulbs, but the "low battery" indicator light.

My issue....

After changing the high beam indicator bulb, I've noticed it doesn't seem to come on right away? The lights need to be on for a few minutes and the high beam indicator used for a minute or so before it will illuminate. Once it comes on the first time, it works flawlessly for the duration of the drive?

if I manually pull the lever in (like you would to flash someone) it lights up right away....but will only stay lit while the arm is depressed? Otherwise, the above has to occur?

I initially though it was a bad bulb, or the bulb in backwards (polarity reversed), so I both switch and switched them around an there was no change. I then assumed it might be an issue with the cluster itself, so I put a stock bulb back in....and it worked flawlessly?

What's the deal. Is this a polarity, or a voltage issue with the LED bulbs?

 

[mikestang63]

Could be similar to the battery light, it requires the higher resistance bulb?

 

[rbohm]

i am thinking you have a dimmer switch issue.

 

[Gearbanger 101]

i am thinking you have a dimmer switch issue.

How so? Dimmer switch functions perfectly? No other bulbs are affected other than the high beam indicator light?

 

[rbohm]

a little dirt in the worn place in the switch means that one light wont light up, usually the high beam indicator. i had the same issue with a foot mounted dimmer switch in my old 70 falcon. high beams worked just fine, but the indicator light would not light up. after a while though, after a little use, the switch self cleaned and the indicator started working just fine.

 

[Gearbanger 101]

a little dirt in the worn place in the switch means that one light wont light up, usually the high beam indicator. i had the same issue with a foot mounted dimmer switch in my old 70 falcon. high beams worked just fine, but the indicator light would not light up. after a while though, after a little use, the switch self cleaned and the indicator started working just fine.

Its plausible I guess.....I'll give one of my spare switches a try and see if it becomes more consistent.

 

[rbohm]

Its plausible I guess.....I'll give one of my spare switches a try and see if it becomes more consistent.

actually you might first try shooting a little WD40 into the switch if you can and see what happens.