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Topic: Dash lights went out.

in Forum: C3 Electrical


Dash lights went out.

Posted: 6/20/04 8:46pm Message 1 of 14
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Batavia, IL - USA
Joined: 3/27/2003
Posts: 622
Vette(s): 496 big block, Dragvette 6 link, 12 bolt IRS conversion, Going for fastest Vette IRS E/T
My dash lights went out suddenly and I tried to see if any fuses are out but they all looked good. My dash lights never were very bright and the dimmer didnt even work until it was turned all the way over just before the dome lights turned on. I suspect its the light switch itself. should I replace this first or is there something I missed? Thanks!


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Dash lights went out.

Posted: 6/20/04 9:16pm Message 2 of 14
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Hot Springs, AR - USA
Joined: 4/24/2004
Posts: 3236
Vette(s): 69 Conv #'s match 427, TKO-600/.64, 3.36HD-Posi, HT, T/T, PS, PB, PW, SP, Leather, Comp XE264HR & Roller Rockers & Lifters, Air-Gap RPM intake, Holley St Av 770 VS, MSD 6AL+Dist+Blaster SS, K&N, Jet-Hot Hooker Side-Pipes, Steeroids, Al Rad, Spal Fans
could be it...

and your switch sounds like it needs to replaced anyway (my current and last 69 both do/did this exact thing with the dimmer) but if that fails.. check your ground..

you can manually test this by pulling a light from the dash.. turning the light on.. and connecting a wire from the battery to the socket to ground it. this will let you know if it is a ground or a hot problem.

no light... id look switch..
light ... look ground


Dash lights went out.

Posted: 6/21/04 6:13am Message 3 of 14
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HOUSTON, TX - USA
Joined: 11/15/2002
Posts: 296
Vette(s): 1976 L-48 coupe
Sounds like the dimmer control to me. Try rotating it cw and ccw a bunch of times. Those type old controls frequently ended up with bad contacts.


|wavey|


Dash lights went out.

Posted: 6/21/04 8:16am Message 4 of 14
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Newark, CA - USA
Joined: 4/29/2004
Posts: 350
Vette(s): 1969 Corvette 4-speed ZZ-4 crate Monza Red
Make sure your tail lights work because they are on the same fuse most of the time.


Dash lights went out.

Posted: 6/21/04 9:02am Message 5 of 14
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United Kingdom
Joined: 7/23/2003
Posts: 79
Vette(s): 1974 sb/auto convertible Le Mans blue
1971 bb/auto convertible Mille Miglia red
hi, happened in my '71 3 weeks back. in this case it was the fuse (and the rheostat is dodgy too). I believe the tail llights still worked because the monitor lamps were ok

have you tested the fuse for continuity? optical assessment can be difficult.

good luck


Dash lights went out.

Posted: 6/21/04 9:34am Message 6 of 14
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CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH - USA
Joined: 12/2/2003
Posts: 6424
Vette(s): 1975 C3 Red, T-Tops, Black Interior. All I need is time and money! Getting there!
There is a 5 amp fuse in the fuse box that is for the dash lights. It is only one when the switch is on, and will vary voltage as the lights are dimmed. If the fuse has power, go to the dash. If there is no power to the fuse, look at the dimmer.


Dash lights went out.

Posted: 6/21/04 3:11pm Message 7 of 14
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Batavia, IL - USA
Joined: 3/27/2003
Posts: 622
Vette(s): 496 big block, Dragvette 6 link, 12 bolt IRS conversion, Going for fastest Vette IRS E/T
I'll do some more investigation tonight. Thanks guys for the help. I think I might need to buy that switch.


Dash lights went out.

Posted: 6/21/04 3:41pm Message 8 of 14
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KERNERSVILLE, NC - USA
Joined: 1/13/2004
Posts: 1355
Vette(s): 1968 L-71 convertible
My money's on the switch, I had the same problem, on guess what? Another 69!


Dash lights went out.

Posted: 6/21/04 10:10pm Message 9 of 14
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Hot Springs, AR - USA
Joined: 4/24/2004
Posts: 3236
Vette(s): 69 Conv #'s match 427, TKO-600/.64, 3.36HD-Posi, HT, T/T, PS, PB, PW, SP, Leather, Comp XE264HR & Roller Rockers & Lifters, Air-Gap RPM intake, Holley St Av 770 VS, MSD 6AL+Dist+Blaster SS, K&N, Jet-Hot Hooker Side-Pipes, Steeroids, Al Rad, Spal Fans
 Tumarr said: I'll do some more investigation tonight. Thanks guys for the help. I think I might need to buy that switch. 


might as well... you know its broke from the fader not working anyway.


Dash lights went out.

Posted: 6/22/04 3:37pm Message 10 of 14
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Batavia, IL - USA
Joined: 3/27/2003
Posts: 622
Vette(s): 496 big block, Dragvette 6 link, 12 bolt IRS conversion, Going for fastest Vette IRS E/T
Did a bunch of playing around with the fuses and checking for continuity. This leads me to think that the switch is the culprit. I'll buy one this weekend at the bloomington gold show which will be right by my house. Thanks again for the suggestions and advise.


in Forum: C3 Electrical


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