Some Dash Lights are not working. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

69ShortStep · 11-23-2007, 07:53 AM

Everything works ( turn signals, emergency flashers, high beam indicator, etc.) all except for the lights that i need to see the guages and heater knobs when it gets dark. I have switched working bulbs around and have turned the headlight switch all the way to the left. My interior cab light works but no lights will illuminate the guages/heater knob. Is there an extra fuse for them?

Thanks for any help.

68gmsee · 11-23-2007, 08:49 AM

If you haven't already done so, you may need to remove the dash completely out and look at the printed circuit board to see if there are some broken lands and or connection problems.

If it's damaged, you may have to buy another printed circuit board or dash either at a junk yard or through the vendors.

As far as I remember, there are no separate fuses for the different guage lights.

Longhorn Man · 11-23-2007, 07:04 PM

the fuse that controls the dash lights also do the parking lights, brake lights, and dome light... so we know it's good.
There's a chance it is a bum headlight switch, and just as strong a chance of it being the printed circuit as mentioned above.

pritch · 11-23-2007, 10:57 PM

Study the circut board closely. They do burn out from time to time. This break took out all the lights downstream, plus the gas guage.

60ratrod · 11-24-2007, 03:42 AM

i would also check for corrosion in your bulb sockets and your headlight switch and check for possibly fried wires.

**special-K** · 11-24-2007, 07:14 AM

Are the heater controls supposed to be lighted?Sounds like a problem in your circuit.Which side won`t light?

PanelDeland · 11-24-2007, 11:38 AM

If you don't find any broken PC paths you can try cleaning the contact areas with a pencil eraser.I had a couple that did not light on my 67 and so I cleaned the contact areas up and they worked.After 40 years I guess they just weren't making good contact.I also do this to the connection where the wiring harness plugs into the PC board.

69ShortStep · 11-25-2007, 09:04 AM

Thanks for all of your helpful suggestions. I had another printed circuit that looked a little better than the current one although i did not find any problems with the current printed circuit.

I switched it out and still have the same problem. All of the lights ( 4 of them in the dash and one at the heater switches) that illuminate the dash gauges/heater controls do not work.

I will inspect the headlight switch and also see if I have another headlight switch and work from that end.

Thanks again and I will let you know.

Longhorn Man · 11-25-2007, 05:21 PM

what part of Columbus you in?

69ShortStep · 11-25-2007, 07:45 PM

I live in Carroll, down towards Lancaster. How about you?

68gmsee · 11-25-2007, 08:32 PM

69Shortstep, I was rereading the thread and just thought about something. I don't have my truck here so can't check my theory.

You say that the only thing not working are the lights that light up the dash panel and heater control. Correct me if I'm wrong, but all of these small light bulbs are controlled by the light switch rheostat. I don't believe that the rest of the lights are affected by the light switch rheostat. So maybe it's the light switch itself that's the culprit. If the rheostat is bad, it will not allow the voltage to go through... Something else to check.

ChevLoRay · 11-25-2007, 10:29 PM

The way the rheostat works is just a wiper-contact that rubs on a coil of wire. There's almost 40+ years of opportunity for those two surfaces to deteriorate.....and they do.

Longhorn Man · 11-26-2007, 05:31 AM

west side... close to the w.broad streeet jegs

Gray Ghost · 11-26-2007, 07:35 PM

Half of mine work. I know it's the printed circuit, I need to get another one in there soon.

69ShortStep · 11-28-2007, 08:11 AM

Thanks for the info ChevLoRay, I checked and cleaned the rheostat surfaces and it still doesn't work. I think I have a bad headlight switch which is what Longhornman also thought. I will have to get another headlight switch. Is it available new or should i try to get a used one?

11-23-2007, 07:53 AM	#1
69ShortStep Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Canal Winchester, OH Posts: 143	Some Dash Lights are not working. Everything works ( turn signals, emergency flashers, high beam indicator, etc.) all except for the lights that i need to see the guages and heater knobs when it gets dark. I have switched working bulbs around and have turned the headlight switch all the way to the left. My interior cab light works but no lights will illuminate the guages/heater knob. Is there an extra fuse for them? Thanks for any help.

11-23-2007, 08:49 AM	#2
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Re: Some Dash Lights are not working. If you haven't already done so, you may need to remove the dash completely out and look at the printed circuit board to see if there are some broken lands and or connection problems. If it's damaged, you may have to buy another printed circuit board or dash either at a junk yard or through the vendors. As far as I remember, there are no separate fuses for the different guage lights.

11-23-2007, 07:04 PM	#3
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Some Dash Lights are not working. the fuse that controls the dash lights also do the parking lights, brake lights, and dome light... so we know it's good. There's a chance it is a bum headlight switch, and just as strong a chance of it being the printed circuit as mentioned above.

11-23-2007, 10:57 PM	#4
pritch Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hoytsville, Utah Posts: 3,365	Re: Some Dash Lights are not working. Study the circut board closely. They do burn out from time to time. This break took out all the lights downstream, plus the gas guage. __________________ '68 Panel Project Boogie Chillin' '68 C-10 Ol' Green

11-24-2007, 03:42 AM	#5
60ratrod yes, i do Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Spokane, wa Posts: 2,734	Re: Some Dash Lights are not working. i would also check for corrosion in your bulb sockets and your headlight switch and check for possibly fried wires. __________________ ERROR 404....... SNAPPY COMEBACK NOT FOUND _______________________________________________________________________________________________ -60 Chevy C10, dead 350/good th350 combo, sitting on a 76 c10 blazer frame, built from 11 different vehicles "the abomination" -07 gmt900 silverado 1500 lt xcab z71, granite blue -81 suzuki gs650g "shelah"- current project -81 kz1000m1 csr "sarge" -next project (just beautification) -07 kawasaki vulcan classic vn900

11-24-2007, 07:14 AM	#6
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Some Dash Lights are not working. Are the heater controls supposed to be lighted?Sounds like a problem in your circuit.Which side won`t light? __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

11-24-2007, 11:38 AM	#7
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,992	Re: Some Dash Lights are not working. If you don't find any broken PC paths you can try cleaning the contact areas with a pencil eraser.I had a couple that did not light on my 67 and so I cleaned the contact areas up and they worked.After 40 years I guess they just weren't making good contact.I also do this to the connection where the wiring harness plugs into the PC board. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

11-25-2007, 09:04 AM	#8
69ShortStep Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Canal Winchester, OH Posts: 143	Re: Some Dash Lights are not working. Thanks for all of your helpful suggestions. I had another printed circuit that looked a little better than the current one although i did not find any problems with the current printed circuit. I switched it out and still have the same problem. All of the lights ( 4 of them in the dash and one at the heater switches) that illuminate the dash gauges/heater controls do not work. I will inspect the headlight switch and also see if I have another headlight switch and work from that end. Thanks again and I will let you know.

11-25-2007, 05:21 PM	#9
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Some Dash Lights are not working. what part of Columbus you in?

11-25-2007, 07:45 PM	#10
69ShortStep Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Canal Winchester, OH Posts: 143	Re: Some Dash Lights are not working. I live in Carroll, down towards Lancaster. How about you? Last edited by 69ShortStep; 11-25-2007 at 07:46 PM.

11-25-2007, 08:32 PM	#11
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Re: Some Dash Lights are not working. 69Shortstep, I was rereading the thread and just thought about something. I don't have my truck here so can't check my theory. You say that the only thing not working are the lights that light up the dash panel and heater control. Correct me if I'm wrong, but all of these small light bulbs are controlled by the light switch rheostat. I don't believe that the rest of the lights are affected by the light switch rheostat. So maybe it's the light switch itself that's the culprit. If the rheostat is bad, it will not allow the voltage to go through... Something else to check. Last edited by 68gmsee; 11-25-2007 at 08:37 PM.

11-25-2007, 10:29 PM	#12
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Re: Some Dash Lights are not working. The way the rheostat works is just a wiper-contact that rubs on a coil of wire. There's almost 40+ years of opportunity for those two surfaces to deteriorate.....and they do. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

11-26-2007, 05:31 AM	#13
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Some Dash Lights are not working. west side... close to the w.broad streeet jegs

11-26-2007, 07:35 PM	#14
Gray Ghost Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Terrell, TX Posts: 1,967	Re: Some Dash Lights are not working. Half of mine work. I know it's the printed circuit, I need to get another one in there soon. __________________ Kelly '05 GMC Sierra SLE Z71 Bone stock except for new bed rail caps.

11-28-2007, 08:11 AM	#15
69ShortStep Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Canal Winchester, OH Posts: 143	Re: Some Dash Lights are not working. Thanks for the info ChevLoRay, I checked and cleaned the rheostat surfaces and it still doesn't work. I think I have a bad headlight switch which is what Longhornman also thought. I will have to get another headlight switch. Is it available new or should i try to get a used one?



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