No dash lights

[takehikes]

Everything works electrically in my 68 F100 except the dash lights.
Put in new bulbs, fuse is good though I am going to change it to new just in case.
No lights in dash or the heater control (did not check bulbs there, I will replace them).
After that any suggestions?

[cep62]

The headlight switch has a rheostat for dimming the dash lights , turn the knob and change the dash lights and turn on the dome light.
It can get dirty or worn.
if you take the switch out you can see it , the round white thing with the spring in it.
Also check for power and grounds.

[takehikes]

I think I may have figured it out.
The wiring diagram shows the power going to the lighter then off to the dash bulbs and the heater control bubls. Well guess what? The PO removed the lighter and put a push button there for the horn (I removed it and fixed the horn properly). It would appear I need to get under there and figure out what the PO did to the wiring for the lighter as that may be the whole issue....bulbs good, fuse good but not connected!!!

[basketcase0302]

I think I may have figured it out.
The wiring diagram shows the power going to the lighter then off to the dash bulbs and the heater control bubls. Well guess what? The PO removed the lighter and put a push button there for the horn (I removed it and fixed the horn properly). It would appear I need to get under there and figure out what the PO did to the wiring for the lighter as that may be the whole issue....bulbs good, fuse good but not connected!!!

Can you please show us what wiring diagram your looking at? I've never seen the dash lights powered from the cigar lighter in any Ford before in 30+ years of working on them.

[takehikes]

the wiring diagram for 1968 on this site. However you are right I went back and traced it more carefully and while the lighter is in the same circuit the instrument lights do not come from it. The heater illumination does though. I'm missing both so I have to get under there and see what the PO did.

[Steelhorse]

Good luck under there...I expect to be spending some quality time under the dash this weekend...
Just wanted to chime in and +1 with basketcase0302 on the headlight switch assembly; I just replaced mine this past weekend and got my dash lights back! Those rheostats get pretty crunchy after 47 years (or 48 in your case!)

[basketcase0302]

Seems like the switches themselves last for 20+ years but the rheostats do go out easily.
You can also play with the copper tang on it and get them to start working again a lot of times.