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Post Info TOPIC: 66 interior dash lights supposed to dim?


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66 interior dash lights supposed to dim?


 

Hi guys,

Just checking with anyone who has a 66' Canso, this is not an SD car. The question is we are putting my dash back together and we're looking at getting the dash lights to dim on the headlight switch, it's been so long that I can't recall if they did. The headlight switch does have the rheostat so I assumed it did. I have replaced the headlight switch since I can't get it to work, we have gone through the original service manual and from what we can see laid out in the wiring, it doesn't appear that it does dim. We've spoken to a contact that said that it should, we just are struggling to see how after disecting the service schematic. If someone has one of these cars and could confirm, we'd be greatful.

Thanks in advance.

Tony



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Tony


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Yes, I've had a 66 Nova and for sure the dash lights are dimmable.

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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles 

1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars



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the dimmer is built into the light switch itself, it looks like a small coil. similar to this,

 G6671.jpg



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And should also dim in both positions, parking/headlight. Check for a jumped wire bypassing the rheostat or short. Clockwise dims,counter brightens. 






-- Edited by hawkeye5766 on Tuesday 7th of March 2017 01:42:30 AM

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Thanks for this...I'm still investigating this and will look for a jumped wire. I have spoken to a few key sources and gotten different answers from both of them. One of them claims like you that yes they dim, the other is a Nova guru from the US and claims they did not. Still working through this... I trust yours does dim as you stated. Thanks again.

 



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Tony


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Absolutely from new they were made to dim. I have owned many many GM's 65 and newer, and never seen one that didn't have dimmable dash lights.

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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles 

1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars



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Carl Stevenson wrote:

Absolutely from new they were made to dim. I have owned many many GM's 65 and newer, and never seen one that didn't have dimmable dash lights.


 x2 they all had a rheostat for dimming dash lights in the switch. Should dim! and yes both dim...66 2dr and 66 4dr.



-- Edited by hawkeye5766 on Saturday 11th of March 2017 12:41:45 AM

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Jim, I'm shocked that since this topic is about "dim" you haven't made some sort of comment about Doug...

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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles 

1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars



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Carl Stevenson wrote:

Jim, I'm shocked that since this topic is about "dim" you haven't made some sort of comment about Doug...


 Was just "dim" not "dim Witt" I'm sure he'll brighten up one day!!!!



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Thanks again, we'll go back to the drawing board

 



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Tony


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Do you want me to look for a wiring diagram for your car? I think I might have one. You could confirm your wiring is correct at the switch.

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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles 

1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars



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Carl Stevenson wrote:

Jim, I'm shocked that since this topic is about "dim" you haven't made some sort of comment about Doug...


 Carl don't make me go to JohnneeD's side against you?



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"The pursuit of perfection is frustrating and a waste of time because nothing is ever perfect. The pursuit of excellence is commendable and worth while. Therefore strive for excellence, not perfection"


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No no no, that was a neutral comment, and innocent question to Jim!!!

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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles 

1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars



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Hi Carl, I've been referring the 66' Acadian/Beaumont service manul, but if you have something else, I'm all ears....

Thanks

Tony



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Tony


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Do you have an owner's manual for your car? I don't have one for a 66 Nova or Acadian but my 66 full size Pontiac owner's manual explains about increasing or decreasing instrument panel light density by rotating the control knob. I know the Acadian owner's manual will say the same thing.

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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles 

1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars



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the 1966 Acadian shop manual show a rheostat on the light switch. in all the acadians ive delt with over a forty five years ive been involved with them , all had dimmers

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Great idea Carl, never thought of that as I didn't even think I still had it and voila yes I did and yes it confirmed the following from it:

"instrument panel lights can be increased or decreased in intensity, or turned off, by rotating the control knob. To operate dome light, turn switch knob fully counterclockwise.

My current switch doen't allow it do so, so I ordered the AC Delco part # that I sourced online, it doesn't allow it, so I will continue to work through the wiring to see what else it could be.

Thanks for the help.

Tony



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Tony


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Thanks for confirming.

Tony



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Tony


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If the wiring at the switch all looks normal, it seems like it must be that the wire for the dash lights is in the wrong port in the connector at the switch.

Man, what a stumper. And you know it's gonna be something simple!

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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles 

1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars



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Don't know if this is the same issue....

I had similar issue with my 1963 switch.....took it apart (not difficult)

The coil on the rheostat wasn't making good contact. Worn down?

Cleaned it up ,made better contact........works fine now.



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Curious...did you ever figure this out???

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Sorry for missing this....no, never solved it.

Replaced the switch, went through the entire harness and the way its laid out in the schematic, it doesn't look like it ever had the ability to dim....I know many of you replied that it certainly does....I had one Nova guru out of the US tell me they don't.My only thoughts were is it possible some basic models such as mine didn't? Like I said, wot of time went into trying to solve it and we had no luck so I dropped it for now to move onto other things in putting the car back together. I will advise if I ever get it going.

Thanks again

Tony



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Tony
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