Starting to troubleshoot my inop dash gauge lighting

[Gaz64]

Originally Posted by 767Jockey

Thanks what I was thinking, quick and easy. I don't even have to remove the rheostat from the dash to do it. In fact I'm thinking I don't even have to remove the wires from the rheostat to do it, just connect a jumper between the two wires on the back, that should bypass the switch and the lights should come on if the circuit is good. No?

Yes, just a jumper in parallel will bypass the rheostat, 0 ohms (jumper) in parallel with example 50 ohms (rheostat) equals 0 ohms. Lights should be full bright if rheostat is faulty.