Quick dash light question '71 GTO
 

On a car equipped with "idiot" lights, when car is keyed on, only the OIL and GEN lights light up for the normal few seconds and then go out. The TEMP light does not light. Is this correct, or should all 3 light up for a moment. If it should, and maybe if the bulb is not functioning, how easy or not is it to access?

thanks

Watch it and see if it lights up while cranking. Not sure about the '71', but that's how temp 'bulb test' worked on older models.

Post back what you find out.

Fairly certain it doesnt light. Is the bulb easy to access?

Dave, the temp light will only come on when the car overheats. Then you know something is wrong somewhere. ;)

So upon startup, the only dash lights that will briefly light up are OIL and GEN? TEMP should not briefly illuminate?

The oil pressure and charge light should stay on with the key on, engine off, and go out when the engine starts. The temp light should light with the ignition switch in the crank position as a bulb test.

On a '69 you can reach all the bulbs in the cluster from behind without taking anything apart. I would think a '71 would be similar.

You could ground the wire at the temp sender and see if the light comes on.

What LPete said, "You could ground the wire at the temp sender and see if the light comes on."

Ground the dark green wire at the temperature sender with the key on and the bulb should light up.

If the car has AC, you might have to drop some duct work to get better access to bulbs on the back of the cluster. Look at where the temp light is on front to know where to feel in the back. With a helper you can shine a pen light in the bulb hole to see if you've got the right one. A good mirror might subtitute for a helper.