instrument lights

I have finally got my dino and wondered a simple question - why no instrument lights ?

I presume that the rheostats go over time - ay suggestions of how to do a quick check, fuse looks ok.

R

 

Snowric - there are several things to check if your instrument lights are not working.

First, check the fuse under the front bonnet. Self explanatory.

Second - Turn off the lights, and gently remove the round retaining nut and withdraw the rheostat from the dash. Depending on VIN number, there should be two rheostats, one for the instrument lights and one for the wiper motor (speed). Determine which is the one of interest by wetting the windshield with soap or Windex (or lift them but they will flop down when rotating), turn on the wiper, and determine which rheostat impacts wiper speed when rotated.

Remove the instrument light rheostat and disconnect the two spade connectors. Keep them clear of the ground, turn on the lights, and touch the two spade connectors together - short them together. This bypasses the rheostat. If the lights work, it is the rheostat presenting problems. If not, then check the voltage to both wires and see if you have 12 volts to one of them. You should. If not, you have a bit of hunting to do.

Before going much further, tell us how this works out. I have taken my rheostat out of the circuit to 1) reduce heat and potential for fire and 2) I need more light in the instruments. Simply create a "pig-tale" by taking a short, heavy gauge wire (12-14) and crimping to male spades on to each end, with tape or heat-shrink to insulate the metal. Short the two leads and you will have full voltage to your instrument lights.

Jim S.

 

Congratulations on your new purchase! What can you tell us about your Dino? Serial number, colors, etc.? Photos would be good too!

Mark

 

instrument lights are controlled by headlight relay. When you turn on headlights, relay energizes the wire to the rheostat alrrady mentioned. this wire is hot when headlights aqre on. I am not sure if this wire is fused as I don't have a schematic in front of me at the moment.
clay

 

thanks for your replies - turns out I had a grumpy rheostat and, after a little gentle tweaking I found a bit of carbon track that works....also found that dino parts.de sells replacements.

In answer to your previous questions my car is 01676, so a series 2, delivered to Maranello as a demonstartor in early 71. Was dino azurro but now rosso chiaro. Restored in 2002-2004 by previous owner and bought by me last year.

Picture at Nick cartwrights (who has just rebuilt the gearbox for me) attached.

Snowy
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Hello Richard,

your front (grill, bumpers and air intake holes) look like from a mid/late E-serie Dino. Has that been changed?
Your Dino overall looks great.
#01676 is featured in the book "Ferrari Dino 246 GT Super Profile" from 1987 (ISBN 0-85429-576-3)
A couple of pictures, still blue at that time.

Regards Matthias