Topic: 78' dash lights
in Forum: C3 Electrical
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I have a 78 L48 with no dash lights. They just kind of went out one evening...all of them. At least I'm assuming that there is more than one light illuminating the gauges. It doesn't seem to be a fuse issue. Any suggestions?
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Lifetime MemberHOWELL, NJ - USA
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Vette(s): 1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.
Sounds like either a bad ground or a headlight switch. Are the headlights, tail lights, marker lights working?
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
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Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
One simple thing to check first...is the light switch turned all the way one direction? You may have accidentally "dimmed" the dash lights...wouldn't be the first time that's happened!
If that isn't the problem, then you may have lost the ground to the cluster, or the headlight switch may have taken a doo-doo(tech term). Do the gauge lights on the center console work?
If that isn't the problem, then you may have lost the ground to the cluster, or the headlight switch may have taken a doo-doo(tech term). Do the gauge lights on the center console work?
Joel Adams
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I had the same prob. My headlight switch went "crispy" as my mechanic called it. I bought the catalog item part - it does not work, it does not fit! There are used or NOS units around and they are no more expensive then the crappy ones from China. It was a 10 minute fix..
It's not the dimmer switch. I checked that first thing. None of the instrument lights work. maybe it is a ground issue.
Kebo, did your headlights still work when you had your problem? Because my headlights work just fine. The dome light works just fine when I turn them on with the headlight knob.
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
[QUOTE=Foley] It doesn't seem to be a fuse issue....[/QUOTE]
Does this mean you have checked the fuses(both sides) with a voltmeter/test light? If so, and the fuses all tested good, then I'd be more inclined to think the headlight switch has taken a poopie...
Does this mean you have checked the fuses(both sides) with a voltmeter/test light? If so, and the fuses all tested good, then I'd be more inclined to think the headlight switch has taken a poopie...
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Foley - Thats what I thought, It wasnt the dimmer switch.. I lost all lights on the dash. I couldnt understand why the head lamp switch needed to be changed. Low and behold a 30 sec diagnosis by my wrench out did 6 hours of diagnotics by me. As he said, We've seen a ton of these.. Unless the 78 is scematically diff then an 81, the fuse that holds the dash lights, holds other stuff too.
in Forum: C3 Electrical
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