Dash lights don't work.  My park lights, interior lights, and headlights all work.  All fuses are OK, any ideas on why dash lights won't work.

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This is just a silly little thing but it does happen. Did you try turning the dimmer on the headlight switch. Sometimes it gets turned down by mistake.

You may be on to something there Mike. My dimmer has a bad connection, so I have to turn it back and forth some times to get the lights to go on. It has been known to pop the fuse.

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Yeah...it wouldn't be the first time someone has accidentally turned the dimmer switch to Off. Try that first, if you haven't already. Turn the knob counter-clockwise, until it turns the courtesy lights on, and check the instrument lights. If they work, problem solved.
If they do not work, check to see that the inst. lamp fuse is hot(not literally...just check for 12v) with the headlight switch pulled out one notch. If it is hot, then you have a wiring issue between the fusebox and the dash cluster, or most likely a bad ground under the dash.

Do any of the indicator lights work in the dash? High Beam, turn, etc?Adams' Apple2008-06-30 19:51:38

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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Thanks, I checked the dimmer and still nothing.   Joel, I will check the inst. lamp fuse one notch pulled out and I will let you guys know.  Joel, the high beam and turn indicators does work, just the dash lights and gauge lights don't work.

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When checking for 12v on the fuses, make sure to test both ends of the glass-type ones. They can look fine if you're just looking to see if the filament is burned, but they can still be burned at the ends, where the metal caps are, and you won't be able to see that..

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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"

Just as a note, the dash lights feed from the headlight switch, but is actually a sub circuit from the parking/running lights.   It feed from the park lights to a small fuse, then back to the switch for brightness adjustment, then to the dash lights.   It is a gray wire to the dash lights.

Thanks for the info on the gray wire Kstyer, and Joel I will check the fuses on both ends and I will let you guys know the outcome.

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Bad luck, my fuse tester is busted. I will let you guys know how it turns out after a purchase a new one.

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I had the ame prob on my 81. It was the headlight switch. WOrd of advice, find a NOS GM part. The chinese part just does not fit nor work

Thanks for the info Kevin, I will keep that in mind.

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Hey Joel, I finally got the tester, and it was the fuse.  I forgot to check it when I got the tester, until lastnight when I was just going for a night out on the town with the Vette.

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It's the silly stuff that always gets us...


Glad ya got it lit up...enjoy the ride!

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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"

When you say interior lights, do you mean just the dome light?

I have found that there is a single ground wire just behind the drivers side ac vent. its a small eye hole connector bolted to part of the metal pillar assembly. It can sometimes get corroded from years of moisture and humidity. Its kind of a PIA to get to especially if you have large hands, but once you find it, unbolt it, clean the contact point with sandpaper or a wire brush and make sure its all clean.

When its reconnected, theres a good chance youll get your dash lights back. I had the same problem and that really did the trick. I also took the cluster out and cleaned all the contacts and replaced all the bulbs, but i didnt think it was needed as all the lamp sockets looked clean and all lamps tested ok. I took the liberty of replacing them with led lamps so i wouldn't have to replace them for a long while.

give it a try.