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Technical => Electrical Tech => Topic started by: motorsport007 on October 21, 2009, 02:30:58 PM

Title: Digital Tach lite out 88 Cougar
Post by: motorsport007 on October 21, 2009, 02:30:58 PM
I did search, didnt find out anything.
But on my 88 LS Cougar, looks like a backlite is out
I can see the gauge working if I get up close to it
at nite, but it doesnt illuminate.
Was going to take the cluster out today, but thought Id
post this up prior to see what it comes up with.
Speedo and Driver info center pods lite up fine btw.
Title: Digital Tach lite out 88 Cougar
Post by: jpc647 on October 21, 2009, 03:10:49 PM
Mine was the same way, I checked the bulbs and couldn't figure out anything.
Title: Digital Tach lite out 88 Cougar
Post by: Haystack on October 21, 2009, 03:12:22 PM
For whatever reason, your light bulbs are not lighting. I have had them burn out alot on mine before.
Title: Digital Tach lite out 88 Cougar
Post by: motorsport007 on October 21, 2009, 04:12:00 PM
from what I gather there is also a power source
unit that may need replacing.
Im taking mine apart this week.
Title: Digital Tach lite out 88 Cougar
Post by: Thunder Chicken on October 21, 2009, 07:00:13 PM
If it's only the one gauge out it's likely the bulb. The replacemennt bulb is a hard to find halogen bulb, but you can use a simple 194 "peanut" bulb for replacement. HINT: If you take the cluster out, replace ALL bulbs. They're all the same age, and if one is gone others will soon follow.
Title: Digital Tach lite out 88 Cougar
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on October 21, 2009, 07:15:14 PM
Replacing all the bulbs probably isn't a bad idea, but those halogen type seem to have a high failure rate(and sometimes melt the socket)... Every 5.0 Bird I owned had those burned out, while the std 194 bulbs were fine...
Title: Digital Tach lite out 88 Cougar
Post by: thunderjet302 on October 21, 2009, 07:40:21 PM
My digital cluster (knock on wood) still has the 22 year old bulbs in it. Now when I start driving in the spring they will probably go out:hick:
Title: Digital Tach lite out 88 Cougar
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on October 21, 2009, 08:29:10 PM
Hey I rob bulbs from junk clusters, I've even used the #194s from a '69 Torino cluster I have upstairs... As long as they aren't blackened, I'll put them back into service...

I need to get off that Torino cluster, as it has a tach which should bring at least $200 on ebay...
Title: Digital Tach lite out 88 Cougar
Post by: CatCarMan2012 on October 22, 2009, 05:32:47 PM
I swapped all mine out for 501/W5W bulbs which are slightly higher wattage than the 194s.  Seems to be plenty bright to me.

-Z
Title: Digital Tach lite out 88 Cougar
Post by: jpc647 on October 23, 2009, 03:24:06 PM
Quote from: Thunder Chicken;295842
If it's only the one gauge out it's likely the bulb. The replacemennt bulb is a hard to find halogen bulb, but you can use a simple 194 "peanut" bulb for replacement. HINT: If you take the cluster out, replace ALL bulbs. They're all the same age, and if one is gone others will soon follow.


I take it your not talking about the the 6-8 bulbs that go around the cluster? Is there a bulb I forgot ot check? lol and got a picture of what your talking about?
Title: Digital Tach lite out 88 Cougar
Post by: Haystack on October 23, 2009, 06:07:06 PM
There in the back of the cluster near the curcuit board.
Title: Digital Tach lite out 88 Cougar
Post by: jpc647 on October 24, 2009, 12:01:18 AM
We are talking about the ones that plug into a switch  that then makes like a 1/4 turn back into place? The plugs are usually blue or black? If so I swpaped all those lights out when I had a problem, and it didn't solve anything. I think I even swapped out a cluster and it didn't solve it. I eventually gave up.
Title: Digital Tach lite out 88 Cougar
Post by: CatCarMan2012 on October 25, 2009, 05:49:56 PM
Quote from: jpc647;296165
We are talking about the ones that plug into a switch  that then makes like a 1/4 turn back into place? The plugs are usually blue or black? If so I swpaped all those lights out when I had a problem, and it didn't solve anything. I think I even swapped out a cluster and it didn't solve it. I eventually gave up.


I would check your dimmer output then (inside the headlight switch).
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