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My dashboard is very dim. I can make it dimmer with the light dial, but not brighter. The shop manual for a 1973 XR7 calls for a Constant Voltage Regulator on the back of the dash panel. For the standard Cougar it is called an Instrument Voltage Regulator (with a Radio Choke). I have 1972 XR7, and I assume the shop manual would work for the 72’s. Any experience with this or thoughts? Am I looking at the wrong solution? Thanks.
That doesn’t effect the lights. It produces pulses of 12 volts that average to 5 volts over time. It only supplies power to the fuel temp and oil pressure gauges.
You can upgrade to LED type bulbs for a much brighter dash. Keep in mind that incandescent bulbs lose brightness over time. Just putting in new bulbs will help a lot. I have also found that the little bulb compartments get a layer of dust inside and cleaning them out can do wonders.
xr7g428 - I realize this post is a year old, but it’s new to me. I just acquired a '70 coupe where neither fuel, temp, or oil pressure gauges work (albeit the fuel gauge does come to life every once in awhile). Would that regulator be a reasonable suspect? Does it even exist on a '70? Thanks in advance.