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  • #1

    Electrical: Instrument lights - none

    My '64 Commander now has a new engine. Just got done with the install, but now I find I have no dash lights. I strongly suspect the rheostat...making a lot of crunching noises (like I have always experienced!) but I swore the lights worked earlier in the spring.

    My question: is there any reason that I shouldn't jumper/bypass the rheostat out of the loop to see if it is the culprit?

    The two fuses are ok...headlights, parking lights, turn signals all work ok.

    Thanks...

    Doug
    sigpicGood judgment is the result of experience; ...experience is the result of bad judgment.
    Tags: None
  • #2
    No reason at all. If the rheostat is the culprit you will just have a very bright dash.
    Brad Johnson,
    SDC since 1975, ASC since 1990
    Pine Grove Mills, Pa.
    '33 Rockne 10, '51 Commander Starlight. '53 Commander Starlight
    '56 Sky Hawk in process

    Comment

    • #3
      Just do what most do, turn the Instr. Lts. rocker switch to HI, and forget the dimable mode that nobody uses or wants anyway!

      Did you install all new 1557882 (#57TR) Transparent RED bulbs as original?
      StudeRich
      Second Generation Stude Driver,
      Proud '54 Starliner Owner
      SDC Member Since 1967

      Comment

      • #4
        Originally posted by StudeRich View Post
        dimable mode that nobody uses or wants anyway!
        No offense, Rich but, as a professional driver for over thirty-five years, I can assure you being able to dim the dash lights is desirable. Once you get beyond the city lights and are out cruising the dark expanses, a bright dash will adversely affect your ability to observe the road ahead. Even when driving in town I tend to keep my dash just bright enough to be legible. I would much prefer to see what's in front of my moving vehicle. Bright lights reduce the opening of the pupil of the eye. A wide pupil is needed to enhance night vision.

        Just my experienced opinion. FWIW
        Brad Johnson,
        SDC since 1975, ASC since 1990
        Pine Grove Mills, Pa.
        '33 Rockne 10, '51 Commander Starlight. '53 Commander Starlight
        '56 Sky Hawk in process

        Comment

        • #5
          I support Rockne10 - The dash lights should be just bright enough to make the gauges legible. I never drive with them all the way bright in any car. I also have many years experience as a professional driver as well as many more years of amateur driving.
          I would bypass the rheostat as a test and then either clean or replace it, as needed.
          Gary L.
          Wappinger, NY

          SDC member since 1968
          Studebaker enthusiast much longer

          Comment

          • #6
            So...what you are saying is that with the rocker switch on "hi" it bypasses the rheostat? ...I have no lights with the rocker in either position. So therefore I might have yet another problem altogether.

            I have the service manual that includes the wiring schematics, but my eyes are 62. Guess I'll have to dig up my magnifying glass and check out the old electron path!

            thanks...
            sigpicGood judgment is the result of experience; ...experience is the result of bad judgment.

            Comment

            • #7
              That is exactly CORRECT Doug!

              Rockne10 and Gary; are you referring to modern Cars, Trucks, Busses or some Studebaker models with White gauge backgrounds & very bright lights, possibly? If so I would have to agree.

              This is a '64, with RED Instrument lights that match the taillights of cars ahead, they should not be distracting at all. Also all Studebakers have indirect Instru. lighting, never BRIGHT like a new Vehicle!

              I have been hammered on this OPINION before here, so I was ready for ya this time, Lol!

              Dimmers, bah humbug!
              Last edited by StudeRich; 10-14-2011, 06:04 PM.
              StudeRich
              Second Generation Stude Driver,
              Proud '54 Starliner Owner
              SDC Member Since 1967

              Comment

              • #8
                Well the rule of thumb is that the weakest link in an electrical circuit is the switch. Guess I will have to take the rocker switch out tomorrow and give it a look see. From what I have read on this sight, it doesn't sound like it is too difficult to take a switch apart and clean it up.
                sigpicGood judgment is the result of experience; ...experience is the result of bad judgment.

                Comment

                • #9
                  Originally posted by StudeRich View Post
                  That is exactly CORRECT Doug!

                  Rockne10 and Gary; are you referring to modern Cars, Trucks, Busses or some Studebaker models with White gauge backgrounds & very bright lights, possibly? If so I would have to agree.

                  This is a '64, with RED Instrument lights that match the taillights of cars ahead, they should not be distracting at all. Also all Studebakers have indirect Instru. lighting, never BRIGHT like a new Vehicle!

                  I have been hammered on this OPINION before here, so I was ready for ya this time, Lol!

                  Dimmers, bah humbug!
                  To each his own. I have experience with new and old cars. This includes several 1964 Studebakers including four 1964 Cruisers, of which, I used one as an everyday car for quite awhile.
                  Gary L.
                  Wappinger, NY

                  SDC member since 1968
                  Studebaker enthusiast much longer

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Originally posted by StudeRich View Post
                    ...Studebaker models with White gauge backgrounds & very bright lights, possibly? ...
                    I have been hammered on this OPINION before here, so I was ready for ya this time, Lol!
                    Any model actually. '63 Cruiser with rheostat, '53 with hi-lo switch. '51 has the UV filter so it's not an issue. I've even considered adding a rheostat to the '33.

                    Oops! I forgot. We're not supposed to drive old cars after dark.

                    Brad Johnson,
                    SDC since 1975, ASC since 1990
                    Pine Grove Mills, Pa.
                    '33 Rockne 10, '51 Commander Starlight. '53 Commander Starlight
                    '56 Sky Hawk in process

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      I agree with the assertion that the gauge backlighting should be "just bright enough to be legible" but I haven't yet driven a Studebaker that had what I would consider "bright" backlighting!
                      --
                      55 Commander Starlight
                      http://members.cox.net/njnagel

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        The nice thing about having the red bulbs is it doesnt disturb your night vision. It is for this reason aircraft uses red instument lighting.
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