This is what I've been able to garner from searching the forum re: 1965 Skylark dash lights. "The dash is welded in.<o></o> most Skylarks had multiple bulbs that pop in the back of the gauges. <o></o> Most have no wires. The twist out and light on contact with circuit board. <o></o> rotate your headlight switch...that controls instrument lights. That may restore your dash lights.<o></o> bulb #'s refer to brightness & type of socket.<o></o> put the correct bulb in the first time<o></o> Also check your fuses." My question, which I've been unable to find an answer to, is 'if the dash is welded in, does one access the dash light bulbs by reaching up under the dash, or by pulling the instrument cluster, or through some other method?
You should be able to reach up there and remove/replace whatever you need unless, of course, you have factory a/c. If so, you'll have to remove some things to access the back of the dash.
The instrument cluster can be removed, however I have never done it on either of my 65's. If your hands are small enough, or you can convince your wife, most of the bulbs can be reached from below the dash by reaching up, and moving those hands and fingers into positions they were not intended for. :laugh: If ALL your dash lights are not working, my first suggestion is check the head light switch.
Gentlemen, many thanks...my amended "1965 Skylark Dash Lights" searchable primer now says: If ALL your dash lights are not working, first check the headlight switch that controls instrument lights. Rotate your headlight switch...that may restore your dashlights. Also check your fuses. The dash is welded in. The instrument cluster can be removed, however no need, here. If your hands are small enough, or you can convince your wife, most of the bulbs can be reached from below the dash by reaching up. If you have factory a/c, however, you'll have to remove some things to access the back of the dash. Most Skylarks had multiple bulbs that pop in the back of the gauges. <o></o> Most have no wires. They twist out and light on contact with circuit board. <o></o> Bulb #'s refer to brightness & type of socket. Put the correct bulb in the first time.<o></o> <o></o>
Are you back in business? (Re: 1965 Skylark Dash Lights) Hi Jeff and mid-60s V-8 Buick fans, The only thing I would add to your primer is that the bulb type is the 194 instrument bulb. What you haven't explained to us is actually what is the condition of your car's dashboard lights? In my trusty wagon I had to replace all the bulbs around 1980 so about 25 years into the car's life. So it is possible the bulbs died even if they didn't get much use. On the other hand, what usually kills bulbs is use not time. So it just as possible that the bulbs are okay (even if they may not last too much longer.) I've got the dashboard out of my car because of all the work being done to it. While I'm at it, I'm replacing all the bulbs. It would be silly do to otherwise. Given how old your car is, you might add replacing the bulbs to your to-do list. However, if you can get them to work, you might make that a relatively low priority. You can do it without removing the dash in a day. It an easy task for a rainy day when you have nothing better to do. Cheers, Edouard :beer P.S. If you want to add that to your primer, I could take a photo of the back of the dashboard so that you see the position of the bayonet mounts that need to be removed from behind. It might help a little to visualize where you are trying to reach from behind. Probably that info is also in the service manual. If you don't have one, definitely try to buy one. The are available from various places.
Pictures of the rear of the Speedometer assembly (Re: 1965 Skylark Dash Lights) Hi Jeff and mid-60s V-8 Buick fans, Well today was as good a day as any for me do replace those 194 bulbs in the dash of my trusty wagon. While I was at it I took some pictures what should help anyone trying to do this with the dash assembled to have an idea of what they are grasping at. I created a gallery on SmugMug with higher resolution photos than I've put up here. So if there is a detail that matters, you can look here for those high-res pics: http://canebas.smugmug.com/Biquette...eplacing-194-Instrument-bulbs/29342585_Fw9c8j First an annotated photo of the back of the speedometer assembly: Perhaps overkill, but I wanted to make sure what folks were observing was clear. Now just for completeness a photo of the 194 bulb in its bayonet mount: I have one more tip for your "1965 Skylark Dash Lights" searchable primer. Have a 12 volt power supply handy and test each bulb before installing. It would be really silly to install a damaged bulb. ou: Cheers, Edouard :beer P.S. I tested the bulbs I was removing and only 1 out of the 9 bulbs had burnt out. Assuming I replaced the bulbs in 1980 (close enough) that would be around 30 years of life!! Anybody thinking about going with LEDs because they "last longer" - hmmm . . . . . . . Honestly that remains to be proven. Nobody has used LEDs for 30 years yet! :grin:
I would add possibly one note. In Edouard's photo of the rear of the instrument panel, the hole just below the speedometer cable connection is for a snap in light bulb that lites the gear shift pattern. It has a wire (gray I believe) and metal "fingers" that complete the circuit for this bulb. I tapped into it to get illumination power for the lites in my triple gauge set.
