dash/console lights

...There are 2 Rheostats. The one for the Gauges is just under the 'lip' of the dash, over the drivers' left knee. The second is obvious, it's on the dash over the center console, this controls the console lighting.
The rheostat may be 'burned-out'. Test by jumping both wires, lights should come on Bright. Simple...Some models, the Ignition Key must 'ON/RUN' for the Lighting to Work!

Problems can also be caused by:

Poor Grounds.
Blown fuses, bad contacts.
Burned-out bulbs.
Loose/Burned/Melted wire connections.
Bad switches/Burned Contacts. Most circuits carry a High Amperage, they get Very Hot!

You have your work cut out for you!
Welcome to Our World of Pantera Ownership and 'Fix-ation'!

Go to panteraplace.com 'technical' and find wiring diagrams, that may or may-not coincide with your model Pantera, but can be close enough to take some of the 'guess work' out of your search. You Can NOT Depend on the Wire 'Color'! It's different from Model to Model, Year to Year.

Good-Luck!

P.S. The gauge lighting has always been DIM, to begin with.

The '71 cars only had one rheostat for the instrument lights, located just above the driver's right knee on the face of the center console. Do as Marlin suggests, jump the wires on the back of the rheostat to test.

There should be a switch for the electric antenna. It was usually mounted on the lower part of the dash just above the driver's left knee.

John

quote:

here should be a switch for the electric antenna.

Another possibility is the radio now installed has a lead designed to send power to the electric antenna when the radio is turned on.

Larry