'95+ Gauge Cluster Lighting Questions

[Caman96]

I thought the dimmer does effect gauge cluster brightness, have to check that. Did you see this thread?

1995-99 GMT400 Gauge Cluster Bulb Sizes

Ended up swapping out the bulbs in my cluster this weekend, couldn't find definitive answers anywhere so here's the bulb sizes for the 95-99 cluster: Large black socket - 161 bulb (3) Large gray socket - 194 bulb (3) Large off-white socket - 194 bulb (2) Small gray socket - 74 bulb (9)

www.gmt400.com

 

[df2x4]

I thought the dimmer does effect gauge cluster brightness, have to check that. Did you see this thread?

1995-99 GMT400 Gauge Cluster Bulb Sizes

Ended up swapping out the bulbs in my cluster this weekend, couldn't find definitive answers anywhere so here's the bulb sizes for the 95-99 cluster: Large black socket - 161 bulb (3) Large gray socket - 194 bulb (3) Large off-white socket - 194 bulb (2) Small gray socket - 74 bulb (9)

www.gmt400.com

It does, but I believe it only effects the main background illumination, not the indicators.

I knew I'd seen a thread where someone posted bulb numbers, thank you! Now between that thread and this one it looks like we have all the part numbers with and without the sockets included.

 

[Caman96]

It does, but I believe it only effects the main background illumination, not the indicators.

I just checked and the whole cluster including the gauges go from complete dark to full brightness with dimmer switch.

 

[AuroraGirl]

I just checked and the whole cluster including the gauges go from complete dark to full brightness with dimmer switch.

indicators would be high beam, turns. possibly others like low fuel lights, check engine lights etc. Those are meant to stay at a fixed brightness. they are meant to stand out as a design. if they are dimming, your printed circuit might have issues

 

[Caman96]

indicators would be high beam, turns. possibly others like low fuel lights, check engine lights etc. Those are meant to stay at a fixed brightness. they are meant to stand out as a design. if they are dimming, your printed circuit might have issues

No, df2x4 is asking if dimmer controls brightness of cluster gauges. At least in mine it does. I’m not having any issues.

 

[df2x4]

No, df2x4 is asking if dimmer controls brightness of cluster gauges. At least in mine it does. I’m not having any issues.

I was actually wondering about the indicators like AuroraGirl described, I knew the gauges themselves could be dimmed down. It doesn't appear that the dimmers in my trucks effect the turn signal indicators, CEL, SES light, etc. Just the gauges and the PRND321 indicator backlight.

 

[Caman96]

My apologies AuroraGirl. Guess I’m the “Dim” wit.
I had never even considered the “turn signal indicators, CEL, SES light, etc.” would dim.

 

[AuroraGirl]

My first car had the High beam indicator smack square center in the cluster, it was oddly large, and it was BRIGHT. Early on I pondered it and did the analyses on it, because that blinding blue d*** being like doctor manhattan when everything else is dark lol

 

[Orpedcrow]

Just as a side note I’ve seen plenty of “blown bulbs” that the filament will break then swing around inside the bulb and weld itself back on causing an erratic works-doesn’t work-works situation.

 

[df2x4]

Just as a side note I’ve seen plenty of “blown bulbs” that the filament will break then swing around inside the bulb and weld itself back on causing an erratic works-doesn’t work-works situation.

@1998_K1500_Sub just mentioned this in another thread as well. I'm thinking you guys are probably right. It's still working though... Knock on wood...