Fixed column....no dome, dash or tail lights??? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**COBALT** · 02-15-2005, 03:36 AM

So I got my column fixed, and for good measure I changed out my plug wires. Pretty good day.

This morning I go out to get in my truck, and there's no dash or dome lights. I figured it was a busted fuse, and sure enough, so I replaced it, and POP, the fuse blows again. Turns out I don't have tail lights either. I have headlights, and backup lights. Just no taillights, and hitting the brakes shows nothing.

So...I did something that's now causing a short somewhere in the engine compartment or under the dash that's blowing the instrument, dome and taillight fuse...

Anyone have any ideas, or am I screwed and have to chase it down with a 12v tester?

**Palf70Step** · 02-15-2005, 06:40 AM

My guess would be something in the column got pinched, maybe shorting out the wire for turn signals.

greasemonkey · 02-15-2005, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

My guess would be something in the column got pinched, maybe shorting out the wire for turn signals.

I agree, when I swapped out my turn signal switch I pinched a wire and it was grounding out, and I kept blowing the brake light fuse. Since you were just repairing your column, that would be the first place to look.

**COBALT** · 02-15-2005, 03:04 PM

Damn. Actually, that's a good thing, because I don't have to spend a million years tracing all of the wires under my dash. You guys are probably right. The turn signal harness off of the turn signal switch is unbelievably tight in the column...looks like I'll have to take it apart and see where the problem is.

sneakysnake · 02-15-2005, 04:42 PM

dash,park and tail lights are on a different circuit than stop and signal.But the problem may be the same, a pinched wire. Does yours column have a light or fiber optics? Did you have your dash apart? check dash lighting wires.

WRMZ71 · 02-15-2005, 09:09 PM

Just like sneaky said, did you have your dash apart more than likely for a column fix? That plug into the back of the dash gauges has flimsy little connectors in it and they can get moved, or distorted. That could be a possible cause.

**COBALT** · 02-15-2005, 11:03 PM

I didn't touch my dash, but the plate that goes under the column where it runs past the dash I had to take off to run the harness and the fiber optic through when I took the column apart.

**COBALT** · 02-15-2005, 11:04 PM

Oh, and there are NO tail lights. It's not just the brake lights I'm missing. I have no tail lights period.

**oldiron** · 02-15-2005, 11:11 PM

Unplug the column harness then put another fuse in. If it doesn't blow out then your problem is in column. If it does blow then look else where. Also if the problem is in the column unplug each wire from the connector and then reinsert them one at a time until the fuse blows then you know which wire is your problem. Good luck.

02-15-2005, 03:36 AM	#1
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	Fixed column....no dome, dash or tail lights??? So I got my column fixed, and for good measure I changed out my plug wires. Pretty good day. This morning I go out to get in my truck, and there's no dash or dome lights. I figured it was a busted fuse, and sure enough, so I replaced it, and POP, the fuse blows again. Turns out I don't have tail lights either. I have headlights, and backup lights. Just no taillights, and hitting the brakes shows nothing. So...I did something that's now causing a short somewhere in the engine compartment or under the dash that's blowing the instrument, dome and taillight fuse... Anyone have any ideas, or am I screwed and have to chase it down with a 12v tester? __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

02-15-2005, 06:40 AM	#2
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 46,947	My guess would be something in the column got pinched, maybe shorting out the wire for turn signals. __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

02-15-2005, 03:04 PM	#4
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	Damn. Actually, that's a good thing, because I don't have to spend a million years tracing all of the wires under my dash. You guys are probably right. The turn signal harness off of the turn signal switch is unbelievably tight in the column...looks like I'll have to take it apart and see where the problem is. __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

02-15-2005, 11:03 PM	#7
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	I didn't touch my dash, but the plate that goes under the column where it runs past the dash I had to take off to run the harness and the fiber optic through when I took the column apart. __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

02-15-2005, 11:04 PM	#8
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	Oh, and there are NO tail lights. It's not just the brake lights I'm missing. I have no tail lights period. __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

02-15-2005, 04:42 PM	#5
sneakysnake It's a catastrophic success. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 2,077	dash,park and tail lights are on a different circuit than stop and signal.But the problem may be the same, a pinched wire. Does yours column have a light or fiber optics? Did you have your dash apart? check dash lighting wires.

02-15-2005, 09:09 PM	#6
WRMZ71 Cause the Chicks DIG IT!! Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Beaufort SC Posts: 509	Just like sneaky said, did you have your dash apart more than likely for a column fix? That plug into the back of the dash gauges has flimsy little connectors in it and they can get moved, or distorted. That could be a possible cause.

02-15-2005, 11:11 PM	#9
oldiron Designated Grumpy Old Man Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: arlington, washington usa Posts: 3,093	Unplug the column harness then put another fuse in. If it doesn't blow out then your problem is in column. If it does blow then look else where. Also if the problem is in the column unplug each wire from the connector and then reinsert them one at a time until the fuse blows then you know which wire is your problem. Good luck. __________________ Never let the truth get in the way of a good story 71 Chev 1/2 ton 4X4 LWB Fleetside SOLD http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=361222 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LgREwtDfaA 68 Chev 1 ton flat bed http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bO8szzlD4A 56 Chev Handyman Wagon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9y-6ddpBTkM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbLzZ7zY8wA 56 Chev Belair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=410667 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoW0Ei7ZNIg

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