Interior dash board lights

[Ryan McNeill]

I am looking for instructions on the easiest way to replace the dash board lights on a 1969 Buick Lesabre custom convertible. 

[rocketraider]

Do you have a 1969 Buick factory Chassis Service Manual? The one the Buick dealer mechanics used. If not you should get one. They're frequently on ebay.

 

The CSM is divided into sections covering all aspects of the car and has an electrical and instrument panel section. That section should have info on dash lighting replacement, bulb specs and numbers, and if any disassembly is required to get to the bulbs.

 

Sometimes it's as simple as reaching up behind the dash. Other times you may have to move something out of the way especially on air conditioned cars. That's where the CSM pays for itself.

[Ryan McNeill]

Thanks for the tip I will in about a week.  This is my first old car and have only had it about a week. Can’t wait for the winter to start the interior rebuild. 

[Rusty_OToole]

If no one else will speak up... I'm no Buick expert but if they are like other GM cars of the period the dashlight bulbs are held in plastic sockets that screw into the back of the panel with 1/4 turn. You can reach up behind the dash and take them out, replace the bulb and put them back. Not easy to see them or get at them but can be done. Be sure to use the exact same bulb, they use different bulbs different places to get the right amount of light everywhere.

[rocketraider]

Follow SebastienBuick's 69 Electra restoration thread down in the Buick Forums. Good folks down there who will help and probably know exactly how to get at those bulb sockets Rusty mentioned (I'm an Olds guy). If you find one broken or burnt they're available in most auto parts stores.

 

Sebastien is young and he's doing that Electra in France.

[JACK M]

I have found that for the few minutes it takes to remove most front seats it can make under dash work much more tolerable.

[Studeous]

And you might find some coins (hopefully silver).

[rocketraider]

All I ever found shiny under a seat was old gum wrappers 🙄.

 

If you go the seat removal route, either pillows or folded towels on the seat mounting studs. They can find your most vulnerable place...😳😬😩🤯

[Ryan McNeill]

Perfect winter project then… I am having too much fun driving it to worry about dash lights right now. Seats and carpet are on order to start the interior rebuild. Pics to come soon, but I love this car!!

Thanks for all the help guys!!

[Larry Schramm]

One thought is to make sure the grounds for the dash are good.  If the lights are dim all over, very well could be a bad ground.

[EmTee]

Also check the headlight switch rheostat.  Do the lights brighten and dim fairly linearly when rotating the headlight switch?  If not, try moving the dimmer control back-and-forth a few times to hopefully wipe some of the oxidation away.  If dimmer operation is erratic, you may need to remove the switch and use some contact cleaner.  Note that rotating the dimmer fully clockwise past the detent should turn on the dome light.

[rocketraider]

Well- there's the simple solution. It's what I get for thinking the OP must have already checked that!😄

 

Ryan- hope you're riding around with the car top down enjoying your Burick!