Does any one know how to r/r lights behind the switch panel? This is an old 1989 Western Star 4965. Switch panel is set up much like our 379. The panel has switch labels that used to light up. Everything is dark when driving at night so have to turn on interior light to use correct switch. The switches work but there are no lights...I don't understand exactly how this setup works?
It looks like it should. Old truck is pretty rough behind the dash...lots of quick fixes it looks like. I was hoping there may be an alternative to that way of lighting. I've never repaired or replaced any of it. Easy? Expensive?
Could you post up pictures? Might be as easy as sanding some LEDs flat and hot gluing them to the back of the labels, it can be as simple or expensive as you want it to be, a couple of bucks gets it working, a few more gets you a PCB and a diffuser so you dont have "hot" spots of light shining at you.
If its using the same type of light up labels as my 1980 W900 then they'd be individual bulbs. If they're all out, either all the bulbs have burned out or there is a power/ground issue in that circuit. Start with verifying power and ground to those lights.
Here r the pics. Looks like I need a diffuser thing and figure out where to attach light and how to attach to switch labels... QUOTE="SpeedyGonzalez, post: 9367076, member: 209122"]Could you post up pictures? Might be as easy as sanding some LEDs flat and hot gluing them to the back of the labels, it can bes simple or expensive as you want it to be, a couple of bucks gets it working, a few more gets you a PCB and a diffuser so you dont have "hot" spots of light shining at you.[/QUOTE]
View attachment 295577 View attachment 295578 [/QUOTE] Any way we could get a clearer pic of the back if the switch panel? Cant really make out the optic fibers or where the enter the switch body
They don't enter the switch. That grey disk has a single light bulb that sends light to the labels above the switch through the optic fibers. If the fibers have been cut there's not much you can do about it. Putting a light to the back of the label won't make it light up. maybe you can check with a dealer for replacement labels connected with optic fiber I'm dealing with the same problem but haven't put too much effort into fixing it. I know which switch does what. When I get some time I'm going to try and take the label apart so I can put an LED behind it
Thanks gents. As I read the responses, the fiber-optics come attached to the labels and replaced as a unit? Problem with this old truck is the shade tree fixing that went on behind the panel...switch labels don't necessarily do what label says and some don't work(and wires r cut off)...I want to sort it all out and get it working appropriately. Why so many darn wires for these switches, lol.
If your optic fiber is cut the majority of the time, if it's a clean cut you can just use an LED and something like a brake line quick release that fits the cable. Otherwise you'll have to disassemble the panel and scrape away at the label until the fiber is no longer attached, at that point you can hot glue an LED to the back. Hot glue will diffuse the light and wont make it as spotty
