Gauge cluster wire location question

[mtnmankev]

The wire from the bulb seems to connect to the ground at the ash tray, and I bet if I put the bulb in the socket the wrong way it will produce a dead short to ground for the gauge lights .....
Can anybody verify my theory and tell me which of the PC copper strips it needs to contact.
OR, is this ground wire REALLY needed and I can simply install a bulb without the ground wire ??

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[Goldie Driver]

The wire from the bulb seems to connect to the ground at the ash tray, and I bet if I put the bulb in the socket the wrong way it will produce a dead short to ground for the gauge lights .....
Can anybody verify my theory and tell me which of the PC copper strips it needs to contact.
OR, is this ground wire REALLY needed and I can simply install a bulb without the ground wire ??

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I believe that is the fiber optic cable that illuminates the ashtray.

So, not a ground - put the bulb in and go.

 

[mtnmankev]

THANKS !!!
Upon looking at it closer, I didn't see where it would make a ground connection so your suggestion makes perfect sense, and the pickup points right at the base of the bulb, so it's not going to work with LED bulbs I am installing but will require a standard bulb (if I can find one with enough brightness).
It sucks to get old and fall apart and need more illumination at night just to see anything.

 

[Goldie Driver]

THANKS !!!
Upon looking at it closer, I didn't see where it would make a ground connection so your suggestion makes perfect sense, and the pickup points right at the base of the bulb, so it's not going to work with LED bulbs I am installing but will require a standard bulb (if I can find one with enough brightness).
It sucks to get old and fall apart and need more illumination at night just to see anything.

You talking about the truck , or you ?

As I peck this answer 1 fingered while wearing 2x cheaters...

 

[mtnmankev]

I put a 168 bulb in the socket (the brightest of that base style bulb) and when I look at the other end of the fiber optic cable thingy, it sure isn't very bright plus the RH side of the gas gauge doesn't get illuminated as well as everything else..
So, I guess I go back to the original idea of using all LED's for gauge lights and figure another way to see the ash tray at night.

 

[Snoots]

Take a Q-Tip and some alcohol and clean both ends of the fiber.

 

[Craig 85]

168 is the OEM bulb for all dash lights.