noticed today that my instrument gauge lights do not work- everything else works fine- dome light, all gauges, headlights, radio etc. all work fine. i suspect its the headlight switch. how do you replace it? anyone know where i can look up that info, hopefully with lots of pics for a novice (aka dumbass)  like myself? do i have to reach behind the dash?   stevep3162006-09-19 21:25:05

on the right side on the bottom of the switch   .. the part that is behind the dashboard  there is a little knob  you have to push that knob to be able to take out the switch knob on the front so you can take  the switch off from the dashboard.. backwards.. i mean you have to take the switch out behind the dashboard.. make you have to losen the dashboard on the left side a bit to be able to get behind it .

if you can't find that litttle knob you have to push.. i can make a picture of it so yoiu can locate it on your switch

good luck
art-corvette
art-corvette2006-09-20 03:20:38

You will most likely have to pull down the AC/Vent duct as it is just above it.  art-corvette is correct.  You push in the spring loaded button at the back of the switch on the bottom and it releases the retainer for the pull out knob on the front of the dash that turns the lights on and off.  once that is out, you will have to unscrew the tab that says lights (or at least you do on 80' models), then drop the switch out the back.  It has a number of wires connected to the top, including the big red power wire.  Most likely, the rheostat has burnt loose at one end.  New switches are available from ebay, most of the vette houses and you can check with Bairs Corvette, a sponsor here to see if he has one.  There is another thread that tells who to talk with there.

Good luck!  It's relatively easy.  You might tighten up the connectors on the wires when you pull them off to ensure good contact.  Just use small pliers and move the rounded ends closer to the flat of the connector so that when the blade slides in, they grip harder.

Dennis

Before ya start rippin the dash apart....has ya checked the fuses?
Also, you could have a bad ground to the gage lite circuit, behind the panel.
Do you courtesy lights work, and do they dim when you turn the knob? If so, then the headlight switch may not be the problem. The speed-o/tach panel uses a different circuit than the gage cluster in the "console". Are ALL of the lites out, or just the ones in the gage cluster?
If you need a wiring diagram to help, I can send ya one. Just need a year, and e-mail. It looks like you have a '79?

[QUOTE=Adams' Apple]Before ya start rippin the dash apart....has ya checked the fuses?
Also, you could have a bad ground to the gage lite circuit, behind the panel.
Do you courtesy lights work, and do they dim when you turn the knob? If so, then the headlight switch may not be the problem. The speed-o/tach panel uses a different circuit than the gage cluster in the "console". Are ALL of the lites out, or just the ones in the gage cluster?
If you need a wiring diagram to help, I can send ya one. Just need a year, and e-mail. It looks like you have a '79?[/QUOTE]

i think that the courtesy lights do not work as well- so ALL instrument lighting- speedo/tach and center console, along with the under dash courtesy lights do not work.

i really think that might be the switch, since the dimmer worked a bit rough over the past few months, i think it finally crapped out. when i turned the knob, it seemed to be a little sticky too.

the other reason im thinking this is that it worked when i shut down, but when i started her back up a few hours later, i pulled the headlight switch on, headlights came on fine, but no dash or console lights.

If you would like to send me that wiring diagram for my 79, id really appreciate it! thanks!
stevep3162006-09-20 10:04:18

I'd still have a look at da fuses. The headlights themselves are on a different circuit, and are protected by a fuse-link, and the breaker circuit in the switch. The courtesy/gage lites are usually on the same fuse in da fuse box.
Wouldn't hurt to look. Might hurt yer back looking, tho!

I agree check the fuses,I changed my switch last year on my 76,big pain,you have to remove the entire left side of the dash and i had a lot of problems with the replacement switches, they kept leaking vacuum for

well, i checked it all out, all the fuses were fine, and found it was the switch after all. the reostat simply broke, cutting the circuit for the dash/console instrument lamps.

looked around for the switch online, and the corvette catalogs charge like 60 bucks for them! did you know its the same switch as most gm cars from that era? the only diff is that there is an extra mechanical vacuum switch attached to it. what you can do to save a few bucks is get one from say a 79 monte carlo, nova, camaro, or even a chevette for that matter, and switch the guts from the new switch into the old housing. the housing comes apart easily, and its the same stamping.

i dont suggest everyone do that, but i managed to pull it off, and got lucky.
now everything works great!

all your advice worked out great much thanks guys!
stevep3162006-09-20 17:47:10

That swap can work well if done right.  BUT if the vacuum unit has problems, you need the whole thing.