Instrument lights weak

Only dim light is coming from my instrument panel, but it seems evenly spread, so it doesn't appear obvious that a bulb has gone out somewhere. (And yes, I have checked the dimmer by the light switch, it turned up max

There is only 2 bulbs at the top, (one above the speedo and 1 above the rev counter) and 1 in the clock/MFA, mine are 1.2w above the speedo and rev counter and a2w in the clock/MFA so they are not as bight as modern cars but I'm able to read them in the dark no problem.
You can try and wiggle the dimmer up and down a few times as it may just be a dusty resistor and do they dim more when adjusting the dimmer?
Another option is see what bulbs you have fitted and if you have 1.2w ones fit the 2w ones in there place but you will need to remove the instruments to get to the bulbs.

Before pulling the instrument panel out it's worth giving the multi connector a wiggle on the bottom corner of the cluster, solved all my Caddy dim lighting issues, you can reach up under after removing the lower dash section

Simon

I thought that the Mk1 dash lights were always like that, same as the headlights. 

They were designed that way!   

It is possible to retension the contact at the dinner section and give it a clean up too. Are the heater control, ashtray and cigarette lighter illumination all dimming with the switch? The bulbs all age easily and fail due to them being warm constantly. I changed to led, which was pretty good, but needs a clatter every now and then to keep lit. 

A popular mod was to replace the 1.2W bulbs with 2W bulbs.

quick test for a dead dimmer, pull the switch out and jump a wire from the red to the grey/blue. if dash lights are brighter the dimmer is at fault, if not its wiring or bulbs

The dimmer seems OK. The light responds softly and perfect when I turn t up and down. Only problem is that it's too little of the light even when turned to max. I haven't observed if the heater control illumination is dimming with the switch (and this car was delivered without cigarette lighter).

Paul's suggestion of changing to 2w bulbs makes sense. I just need to get hold of such bulbs.

mark1gls said

Another option is see what bulbs you have fitted and if you have 1.2w ones fit the 2w ones in there place but you will need to remove the instruments to get to the bulbs.

Did I not say that in my first post?  The heater controls may not light up as the bulb is hidden inside the panel and can blow as any bulbs can, it is possible to change the bulb but it's fiddly to open up the panel. You may have the early style control panel which has a bulb on the outside.
My light did not work for about 3 years then it come back on for 2 years and now it's stopped working again! May look at it some time but more important things to do to the car first.