Classic/Antique Car Repair: Gauge lights wont illuminate in 1950 Chevy 3100, Dash, Lights

Question
Can you tell me if there is a fuse box or relay switch for my 1950  Chevy pickup?
The 2 gauge lights did work and now they don't... the truck is mostly original -
it still has a 6 volt system and the OEM straight 6 power plant.

Answer
The gauge illumination lights are on the same fuse as your tail lights and parking lights, so if they are working, your problem is not the fuse.

Most likely, your problem is a buildup of oxide on the surface of the rheostat that controls your dash light brightness - the headlight switch knob that adjusts the gauge lights from off to full brightness.

This is a very common occurrence in old cars, especially in damp climates, or when the dash light knob hasn't been used in a while.

The way to clear this up is to wait until nightfall, so you can see what is happening, then pull the headlight switch out one 'click' to where your parking lights and your tail lights are on.  Now, without moving the switch in or out, just rotate the knob left and right through it's full range of motion many, many times, while you watch the dash gauges.  After many times back and forth, you will begin to see momentary flickers of light in the gauges.  Just keep exercising the knob and the light will get brighter and more consistent, and you will be able to adjust the brightness to your liking if you keep it up long enough.   Don't give up easily - sometimes you have to keep this up for 10 minutes or even longer, to polish off the surface of the nichrome wire that the rheostat is made of.  This works about 95% of the time.  If it doesn't work for you, you may have to replace the headlight switch.

Congratulations on keeping the noble old truck original.  I drove my 51 1/2 ton Chevy pickup from 1975 to 1994 - as a work truck. It was slow, but 100% reliable, and even though I overloaded it with Packard engines and other really heavy stuff, it always hauled the load without breaking down or overheating - those are great, hard working trucks, and nice looking too!  Just don't rev that 216 Cu In "splash oiler" too high - they weren't meant to be driven much over about 45 MPH.

Dick