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1968 Trick to getting brighter dash lights

Born1968

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 17, 2017
Messages
68
Location
Los Angeles California
The trick to getting brighter dash lights 1st you need a motorcraft 1967 cougar headlight switch You also need a motorcraft electronic voltage regulator please understand those are the stock bulbs not LEDs
Check all grounds
this should make your dash lights brighter
20220424_041820.jpg
 
Last edited:

franklinair

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Joined
Mar 1, 2007
Messages
4,740
What voltage do you read as the alternator output? (It should read 13.3 to 13.7 max)

Neil
 

franklinair

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Mar 1, 2007
Messages
4,740
IIRC, the Cougar H/L switch has higher internal fusing value due to operating 4 headlights when on Hi-Beam as opposed to a Mustang with only 2 headlights on Hi-Beam. The Instrument Light rheostat should be the same resistance on either type of switch.
The only way I see the Instrument Lights being brighter would be the V/R allowing the Alternator to put out higher voltage. That's why I asked about the Alternator output voltage level. (Should be 13.3 to 13.7 volts)
Someone @ WCCC should know for sure.

Neil
 

wallace

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Joined
Feb 23, 2004
Messages
181
Hi which voltage regulator, the instrument voltage regulator or the one on the radiator support? Wally
 

Mosesatm

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Joined
Jan 18, 2005
Messages
9,009
I don’t think the dash lights go through the gauge regulator.
 

franklinair

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Mar 1, 2007
Messages
4,740
Correct, Only the instruments are powered by the IVR. The instrument lights are 12V powered by the Alternator & Voltage Regulator.
LEDs and clean diffusers (the blue light bulb covers) would brighten the dash lights.
 
Last edited:

wallace

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 23, 2004
Messages
181
I did what was reported. Definitely a little brighter but I think I need to clean the diffusers and do LEDs
 

franklinair

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Joined
Mar 1, 2007
Messages
4,740
You might want to replace the old blue diffusers. They become cloudy over the years. and fresh ones are much better.

Neil
 

franklinair

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Joined
Mar 1, 2007
Messages
4,740
LED's & NEW blue diffusers will make a world of difference. WCCC has a video on this.

Neil
 
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