Dash Lights 1978

[psg]

Driving down the road, flash at the fuse panel and instrument lights horn etc are dead. Is there a first place to look to find the short? Is there an inherent weakness in that particular circuit? I haven't been doing anything at the back of the panel for awhile. psg

[Damini]

Try looking behind the fuse panel and see if anything melted, fuse, Panel, wires, etc..
There is an instrument Rheostat switch #40. Looking at the wiring diagram, it looks like it could have blown.
Follow the gray/red wire from the hazard switch to a red/green wire through a plastic plug you'll find the Rheostat switch. It also has a yellow and a red/white wire going to it. There is also a current recep. #81.
Both of these run through the hazard switch and seem to affect everything your talking about.
http://www.artigue.com/fiatcontent/wiri ... g_1978.pdf
P. 3

[psg]

I pulled the rheostat and connected the circuit directly, bypassing the rheostat. The lights came on and the fuse did not melt. I put the rheostat back in and no lights, turning the knob made no difference. Is there any other test I can perform or should perform on the rheostat?

[aj81spider]

You can pull the rheostat and put a meter across it measuring ohms. As you move the dial you should get varying values of resistance. From what you described it sounds like the rheostat has an open and replacing it is in order.

[124JOE]

i have a spare $10

[psg]

thanks for the offer but I was able to open up the rheostat and repair a wire and so it looks like I am good to go again but I will keep you mind if this doesn't hold. thanks. psg

[124JOE]

i see your are good with your hands
i hope it holds out for a long long time