1970 Mark III Instrument Panel Lights

We thought we’d share a resent inquiry from one of our regular customers, as this can be a common problem…. Bill.
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Chris –
I noticed on the 70 white Mark III that the instrument panel lights were not coming on when I turned on the parking lights or the headlights. I replaced the 6 amp fuse and they still did not work. I checked the fuse and found it had gone bad. I put in another new fuse and tried the lights again and still no instrument panel lights. I pulled that fuse out and found that it had gone bad.
Would you or any of your guys have any idea what in the instrument panel light circuit might be blowing out the fuse? Both other cars work fine. Is there any particular area I could have the guys at the shop look at to determine what the problem might be? I’ve got a copy of the Mark III’s electrical system schematic so I can use that with the shop if you have any ideas on what to check.
Otherwise, I hope things are going well at Lincoln Land. Won’t be long and we’ll be heading to Ocala. I did order an entry level Pace American enclosed car hauler trailer so I hope to have it for the trip down. That should save a lot of cleaning effort!
Take care,
Jerry
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Jerry –
That 6 Amp fuse is for the dash instrument panel lights and any others that may be on the instrument panel dimmers (light blue with red tracer) wire such as radio dial and climate control illumination, etc.
The first suspect in my opinion could be a shorted wire that goes up the steering column to the transmission quadrant shift indicator. Have this wire unplugged at the lower column and then try another fuse. Things at Lincoln Land are looking great and the weather is turning for the better.
Bill
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Bill,
Thanks for the tip. I’ll give it a try this week and let you know.
Take care,
Jerry
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Chris,
If you are in the proximity to “Bill’s Corner,” please pass on my thanks to him for his excellent advice regarding the instrument panel lights not working in the white Mark III. I was out at the hangar last night and was able to disconnect the wire going up the steering column as he suggested. After putting in a new 6 amp fuse, I turned on the parking lights and much to my delight the instrument panel lights and other lights on that circuit came on just like they are supposed to. Obviously, the light for the shift indicator did not come on but that’s no big deal.
I appreciate all the assistance — and I’ll holler at you if I get in over my head again!!!
Jerry