Ok, so about two months ago I noticed the left side of my gauges starting to dim. I'd figured that maybe there was a wire loose and i just needed pound the gauges. Well a couple of weeks later the entire left half was out. It's especially difficult at night to know the battery levels or if it's over heating (not that it's been a problem, but it's a nusance.

Does this sound like a loose wire or do you think the lights are burnt out?

A little bit of background though, i bought some blue glow gauges on ebay that I wanted to install. These are generic and the instructions stated that the needles did not need to be taken off. After I unscrewed everything I noticed that the needles would have to be taken off, and after I took off the oil gauge needle off I put it back immediatley thinking it would be a bad idea to mess with these in fear that I would put them back wrong and have bad readyings. Now, might of I tripped something that dimmed then later broke the lights? Why is only one side off?

PS I still have the gauges, is there any easy way to install them? Should I go to a dealer. Keep in mind that my truck is not new, it's a 96 with 120k miles on it.

On the left side down below the level of the steering wheel, there's a knob that turns left or right. This allows you to change the level of brightness on the dash lights, check to see if it's all the way to the right (bright), then check to see if it's gotten knocked loose.

Another thing to ponder - how old is your alternator?

On the left side down below the level of the steering wheel, there's a knob that turns left or right. This allows you to change the level of brightness on the dash lights, check to see if it's all the way to the right (bright), then check to see if it's gotten knocked loose.

lol..i hope that isn't the issue.:iceslolan

it just sounds to me that the bulb may have lived out it's life--check out the forum archives and tear into the dash--past posts detail how to get in there.

Does this sound like a loose wire or do you think the lights are burnt out?.
sounds just burned out

A little bit of background though, i bought some blue glow gauges on ebay that I wanted to install. These are generic and the instructions stated that the needles did not need to be taken off. After I unscrewed everything I noticed that the needles would have to be taken off

the needles always have to be removed--unless you cut the guages.

PS I still have the gauges, is there any easy way to install them?

no

Should I go to a dealer.

sure--and they'll charge you $120. just tear into them--if you screw something up-fix it. it's a learning experience.

worst thing that can happen is you break the needle (replace it) or pop a relay (replace it)--that's what junk yards are for.

You can get the bulbs at Radio Shack for a few bucks, I'll post the part # if I can find it. And easy enough to put in, just takes a while.
But I would check your alt. Mine was doing the almost the EXACT same thing just before my alt died. (Only mine was the entire panel)

The lights you will need are $1.49 for a two pack.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103780&cp=2032058.2032232.2032293&allCount=16&fbn=Type%2F12+Volt&f=PAD%2FProduct+Type%2F12+Volt&fbc=1&parentPage=family

And this is a great writeup on how to change the lamps in the dash switches. The process is almost the same for the gauges.

http://www.planetisuzoo.com/articles.htm?id=94&Replacing_Light_Bulbs_in_Isuzu_Switches

^^^^good posting

Thanks I'll look into those bulbs. Replacing the needles if they're broken isn't a problem, it's putting them back where the gauges are correct that is the problem.

I think someone answered my question on if it was easy to replace the gauges and that answer was a no. Thanks everyone for your input.


Ivan

The lights you will need are $1.49 for a two pack.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103780&cp=2032058.2032232.2032293&allCount=16&fbn=Type%2F12+Volt&f=PAD%2FProduct+Type%2F12+Volt&fbc=1&parentPage=family

And this is a great writeup on how to change the lamps in the dash switches. The process is almost the same for the gauges.

http://www.planetisuzoo.com/articles.htm?id=94&Replacing_Light_Bulbs_in_Isuzu_Switches


Hey man, i appreciate it, this should REALLY help out!!

Thanks I'll look into those bulbs. Replacing the needles if they're broken isn't a problem, it's putting them back where the gauges are correct that is the problem.The Voltmeter, oil presseure and coolant temp needles are only there for your convenience and not really to accurately indicate any of the parameters. As long as you get them close and they move freely, so as to show you when one of the parameters changes dramatically, you will be fine.

The Voltmeter, oil presseure and coolant temp needles are only there for your convenience and not really to accurately indicate any of the parameters. As long as you get them close and they move freely, so as to show you when one of the parameters changes dramatically, you will be fine.


Although true, I would have to take off also the speedometer and gas gauge because it all needs to taken off to put on the glow gauges. i believe those are somewhat accurate. I would assume the speedometer is really accurate or else cops would be on my tail more often the normal.