Dash dimmer switch question

[gran coupe john]

Is there a good way to check this dash dimmer switch to see if it is good? They are wanting big money for the knock offs.

 

[pschlosser]

Are you referring to a procedure to bench test with a DMM? If you have yours on the bench, a spray can of contact cleaner is a must-have in your collection.

If yours is missing or completely dead, $100 for a reproduction isn't terrible. I recently purchased the whole 3-switch (standard dash) panel, just to get that switch. While they may be finicky, they are pretty robust and work well for many years after cleaning and lubrication.

Let me review the wiring diagram and come up with a test procedure...

 

[Challenger RTA]

Do a dimmer switch bypass. See if the lights are working first. The dimmer sw is feed through the headlight sw. As the blue arrows show.

The L1 16 BK* connects to splice 1. That will be hot all the time when the battery is hooked up. Feeds through the headlight sw as the blue arrows show. Feed to L7-18BK

 

[pschlosser]

I cannot find my spare dimmer switch to confirm, but from memory, the center pin feeds 12VDC to one of the side pins, varying from 0-12 volts as the dimmer moves from low to high.

Thank you @Challenger RTA

 

[gran coupe john]

This switch is more than likely 55 years old. I know it worked back in 98. I had it throughly cleaned. Maybe not grounded?

 

[pschlosser]

when this is all through, if you're throwing it away, I'd like to take a crack at it.

 

[gran coupe john]

Thank you RTA

 

[BSG]

Is there a good way to check this dash dimmer switch to see if it is good? They are wanting big money for the knock offs.

View attachment 145875

ohm meter

 

[gran coupe john]

Got the switch to work on light bar. Is there lights in the instruments?

 

[pschlosser]

Got the switch to work on light bar. Is there lights in the instruments?

not that I recall. front-lit only.

 

[Challenger RTA]

Got the switch to work on light bar. Is there lights in the instruments?

The light bar is the only source of lighting. Below is a link if you choose to improve the lighting. Dash lights a Brighter possibility