[72projectbird]

What actually lights up the fuel gauge in a 70 GTO? Mine is dark, but I don't see a light behind it. There's bulbs for the oil, generator, and temp warning lights, but nothing behind the fuel gauge.

Is it a fiberoptic? I'd like to be able to see the gauge at night. lol

[Ben M.]

There's a bulb in the housing for the top and bottom of the leftmost pod. Twist-style just like the idiot lights.

[Peter Serio]

The fuel gauge lights up by reflected light. There are two #194 light bulbs in the back of the housing which are to the left & the right of the fuel gauge dial. The light bounces off of the painted surface of the interior of the housing and then off of the back of your #1 circle.

The light then reflects in from the edges of the view window off the the white lines on the face of the fuel gauge. The light does not reflect off the background paint which is black.

Often you will have a burned out light bulb. Replace light bulbs first. Sometimes the copper pathways in the printed circuit will peel off of the mylar. Replace the printed circuit. Sometime the plastic bulb holders corrode inside. Clean them using a very small file; that or a piece of #400 or 600 sandpaper

Over 50 years the interior painted surfaces of the steel housing will rust. The resulting brown discoloration inhibits night time lighting.

That and a yellowed, scratched or hazy lens will also dim the night time lighting. The clear plastic turns yellow from exposure to sunlight. Once clear plastic turns yellow it cannot be cleaned or polished as the yellow coloring actually becomes part of the plastic. After many years those old lenses should be replaced.

[72projectbird]

Thanks for the help guys!

I'll look into it today. My other dash lights work, so it's probably some burnt out bulbs. It's a pain in the ass fitting my hand up there, but I'll get it done.

[Peter Serio]

"It's a pain in the ass fitting my hand up there, but I'll get it done. "

GM considered that, so there is a way to use a small open end wrench to help loosen the bulb sockets to get to the light bulbs.

[MrWrestlingII]

Originally Posted by Peter Serio

"It's a pain in the ass fitting my hand up there, but I'll get it done. "

GM considered that, so there is a way to use a small open end wrench to help loosen the bulb sockets to get to the light bulbs.

Nice Tip.

[72projectbird]

Huh, I never would've guessed that!

Thanks for the tip!