Need panel lights- quick help question! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

1970blazin · 05-23-2004, 10:59 PM

I can't seem to get my dash cluster to light up, or my blinkers to work- any ideas???
The headlights and all side marker lights work...
All the gauges work also....speedo, oil, temp, gas ect.

But my dash cluster just doesn't light up....

Open to any and all suggestions! As long as they aren't to kinky!

Thanks-
Diane

FRENCHBLUE72 · 05-23-2004, 11:03 PM

May want to check to make sure the cluster has a good ground.. I know it sound's simply but did the light's work before you restored it???? Maybe the bulb's are burned out.just a thought??

1970blazin · 05-23-2004, 11:05 PM

I replaced all the bulbs with new... I will check the ground tho'...
Is there a wire on the back of the panel that needs to be grounded??? Where at??

FRENCHBLUE72 · 05-23-2004, 11:06 PM

I ran an extra ground wire from the pannel back plate to the dash....

Longhorn Man · 05-23-2004, 11:15 PM

If your fuel guage works, then the ground is good. (Onless the fuel guage goes crazy when you turn on the lights)
The rheostat on the light switch is commonly problematic, try turning the knob all the way one way and the other.
As for the 4 ways, I would swap out the two blinkers in the fuse box (the two metal can looking deals) That is a good first step on non-working signals and 4 ways.

1970blazin · 05-23-2004, 11:25 PM

Fuel gauge does fine when the lights are on. Tried turning the light switch all one way then the other- nothing happened. I got the hazards to work now, but still not the blinkers... I think the blinker fuse is bad. I will get another tomorrow.. would the blinker fuse be the reason the panel has no lights?
Also I have another dash cluster that has a light plug that has a wire coming out the back...the dash cluster in my dash doesn't have that....should it??
Diane

SS55 · 05-24-2004, 12:06 AM

There is a 3 amp fuse in the fuse panel that feeds the panel lights. That might be the problem. The light socket that has the wire coming from it on your other panel is probably a fiber optic cable that is used to light up the shift indicator on the auto column equipped trucks.

1970blazin · 05-24-2004, 01:02 AM

ss55- It isn't the fiber optic light. Actually a sheathed copper wire coming out the back of one of the light bulb holders....not sure if it is factory or what the deal is- This is in a different dash cluster I have in the garage, not the one in my dash that isn't lighting up. Just wondering if my dash should have one or not....
Also I changed all the fuses to new ones tonight. Thanks for the input. Still searching for the answer....:-(

SS55 · 05-24-2004, 01:26 AM

Sorry, Diane, I should have figured that you knew what the fiber optic looked like. I have not seen a wire coming from a socket base before, but maybe someone else will chime in with what it is.

jlive68 · 05-24-2004, 03:36 AM

Diane,
First off check and see if you have power comming into the dash cluster. If you do look at the back of the dash to the printed circuit find were power comes in there. If you have a digital multimeter read for continuity from the in put truck plug socket to the first side of the light and proceed from there through the the hole circuit. I have seen the bulb sockets short (open) and no power get through there. If that doesnt work get back with me and I will see what else I can come up with.

Thanks,
James

05-23-2004, 10:59 PM	#1
1970blazin Blazerless:-( Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Olympia WA Posts: 1,612	Need panel lights- quick help question! I can't seem to get my dash cluster to light up, or my blinkers to work- any ideas??? The headlights and all side marker lights work... All the gauges work also....speedo, oil, temp, gas ect. But my dash cluster just doesn't light up.... Open to any and all suggestions! As long as they aren't to kinky! Thanks- Diane __________________ 1970blazin 1970 CST Blazer-Orig. Dark Blue-SOLD Progress Pics of Blazer for sale

05-23-2004, 11:03 PM	#2
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,606	May want to check to make sure the cluster has a good ground.. I know it sound's simply but did the light's work before you restored it???? Maybe the bulb's are burned out.just a thought?? __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

05-23-2004, 11:05 PM	#3
1970blazin Blazerless:-( Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Olympia WA Posts: 1,612	I replaced all the bulbs with new... I will check the ground tho'... Is there a wire on the back of the panel that needs to be grounded??? Where at?? __________________ 1970blazin 1970 CST Blazer-Orig. Dark Blue-SOLD Progress Pics of Blazer for sale

05-23-2004, 11:06 PM	#4
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,606	I ran an extra ground wire from the pannel back plate to the dash.... __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

05-23-2004, 11:25 PM	#6
1970blazin Blazerless:-( Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Olympia WA Posts: 1,612	Fuel gauge does fine when the lights are on. Tried turning the light switch all one way then the other- nothing happened. I got the hazards to work now, but still not the blinkers... I think the blinker fuse is bad. I will get another tomorrow.. would the blinker fuse be the reason the panel has no lights? Also I have another dash cluster that has a light plug that has a wire coming out the back...the dash cluster in my dash doesn't have that....should it?? Diane __________________ 1970blazin 1970 CST Blazer-Orig. Dark Blue-SOLD Progress Pics of Blazer for sale

05-23-2004, 11:15 PM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	If your fuel guage works, then the ground is good. (Onless the fuel guage goes crazy when you turn on the lights) The rheostat on the light switch is commonly problematic, try turning the knob all the way one way and the other. As for the 4 ways, I would swap out the two blinkers in the fuse box (the two metal can looking deals) That is a good first step on non-working signals and 4 ways.

05-24-2004, 12:06 AM	#7
SS55 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 62	There is a 3 amp fuse in the fuse panel that feeds the panel lights. That might be the problem. The light socket that has the wire coming from it on your other panel is probably a fiber optic cable that is used to light up the shift indicator on the auto column equipped trucks. __________________ Be wary of the light at the end of the tunnel....It might be a gorilla holding a flashlight! 71 Blazer, ex-4WD...Bought it that way 55 GMC 55 Belair 2dr HT 67 El Camino

05-24-2004, 01:02 AM	#8
1970blazin Blazerless:-( Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Olympia WA Posts: 1,612	ss55- It isn't the fiber optic light. Actually a sheathed copper wire coming out the back of one of the light bulb holders....not sure if it is factory or what the deal is- This is in a different dash cluster I have in the garage, not the one in my dash that isn't lighting up. Just wondering if my dash should have one or not.... Also I changed all the fuses to new ones tonight. Thanks for the input. Still searching for the answer....:-( __________________ 1970blazin 1970 CST Blazer-Orig. Dark Blue-SOLD Progress Pics of Blazer for sale

05-24-2004, 01:26 AM	#9
SS55 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 62	Sorry, Diane, I should have figured that you knew what the fiber optic looked like. I have not seen a wire coming from a socket base before, but maybe someone else will chime in with what it is. __________________ Be wary of the light at the end of the tunnel....It might be a gorilla holding a flashlight! 71 Blazer, ex-4WD...Bought it that way 55 GMC 55 Belair 2dr HT 67 El Camino

05-24-2004, 03:36 AM	#10
jlive68 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Greenville, Tx. Posts: 286	lights Diane, First off check and see if you have power comming into the dash cluster. If you do look at the back of the dash to the printed circuit find were power comes in there. If you have a digital multimeter read for continuity from the in put truck plug socket to the first side of the light and proceed from there through the the hole circuit. I have seen the bulb sockets short (open) and no power get through there. If that doesnt work get back with me and I will see what else I can come up with. Thanks, James __________________ 1968 chevy U.S. Navy

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