Dash won't light up - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jacquesdean · 12-05-2003, 08:19 PM

I checked every bulb, and they work, took dash out and touched the circut board and there is power to light circut, but still no lights, any ideas,

Thanks guys.

*67Fleetsidedream* · 12-05-2003, 08:29 PM

Here is what I did when I had that problem. Take the cluster back out and take out each bulb and rub a pencil erasure on each place where the bulb contacts the copper. Reinstall the bulbs. the bulbs complete a circuit. So if one bulb is bad or not gettin power, then the rest will not work. I played with mine for 30+ minutes until they all worked. Worked great for me. the bulbs are very touchy.

jef5150 · 12-05-2003, 09:04 PM

it drove me nuts,,,,,there is a "little clip",that has a small black wire, thats a ground,,,,the clip slides over the dash opening(metal edge).the wire "should" be on the right side of the dash opening,,,,,,,,,the clip will look very similar to the one in the pic,,,,,,(your gonna have to take the dash back apart to find it) jeff

tom hand · 12-05-2003, 09:11 PM

Yep...I vote for the "little clip" I cut mine off and put a real connector on it and fastened it to some metal with a screw

1969 GMC · 12-05-2003, 09:13 PM

When I first got my truck, if you turned on the 4 ways, it would blow a fuse that was the tail/brake lights and the instrument lights. Maybe check your fuses?

WRMZ71 · 12-05-2003, 09:43 PM

I agree with checking the black wire clip for the ground. That controls your dash lights. If i unplugged mine the dash lights would go out and the high beam warning light would come on.

**FRENCHBLUE72** · 12-05-2003, 11:14 PM

I had the same problem ..Just ran a ground wire from the cluster to the dash...Good ground = bright lights.

jacquesdean · 12-06-2003, 12:14 AM

Thank you so much for your input, I'll try that tomorrow morning. has been a frustrating day taking several apart and changing things over,

Has anyone ever put after market guages in the guage openings?

**FRENCHBLUE72** · 12-06-2003, 12:33 AM

Yep but I only had 2 guage's whaen I bought my new bezel and I just had to see what they would look like ... I still only have 2 guage's installed.... Just need to find the time..

gcolby · 12-06-2003, 03:46 AM

I had the same issue, found that I had sliced one of the tracers on the PCB board putting the bezel back in to the dash....

Rod · 12-07-2003, 08:02 PM

My 70 GMC had similar problem bit I ended up changing the floor dimmer switch, headlight switch, turn signal switch and regulator. Not a great time finding the problem but I had parts to swap and try and mine needed all I listed.

12-05-2003, 08:19 PM	#1
jacquesdean Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Snead, Alabama Posts: 399	Dash won't light up I checked every bulb, and they work, took dash out and touched the circut board and there is power to light circut, but still no lights, any ideas, Thanks guys. __________________ Jock, Powder blasting shop, Alabama

12-05-2003, 08:29 PM	#2
67Fleetsidedream Wiseass secured himself a BAN Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: MOON!!! Posts: 2,282	Here is what I did when I had that problem. Take the cluster back out and take out each bulb and rub a pencil erasure on each place where the bulb contacts the copper. Reinstall the bulbs. the bulbs complete a circuit. So if one bulb is bad or not gettin power, then the rest will not work. I played with mine for 30+ minutes until they all worked. Worked great for me. the bulbs are very touchy. Last edited by 67Fleetsidedream; 12-05-2003 at 08:37 PM.

12-05-2003, 09:04 PM	#3
jef5150 Inline 69 Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: valleysprings,california Posts: 1,018	i had same problem,,,,,,, it drove me nuts,,,,,there is a "little clip",that has a small black wire, thats a ground,,,,the clip slides over the dash opening(metal edge).the wire "should" be on the right side of the dash opening,,,,,,,,,the clip will look very similar to the one in the pic,,,,,,(your gonna have to take the dash back apart to find it) jeff Attached Images

12-05-2003, 09:11 PM	#4
tom hand CCRider Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Olive Branch,MS,USA Posts: 2,232	Yep...I vote for the "little clip" I cut mine off and put a real connector on it and fastened it to some metal with a screw __________________ 72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail Olive Branch MS

12-05-2003, 09:13 PM	#5
1969 GMC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Rubber City Posts: 5,498	When I first got my truck, if you turned on the 4 ways, it would blow a fuse that was the tail/brake lights and the instrument lights. Maybe check your fuses? __________________ 1969 GMC K2500 1996 Honda Accord 2007 Kawasaki KLR 650

12-05-2003, 09:43 PM	#6
WRMZ71 Cause the Chicks DIG IT!! Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Beaufort SC Posts: 509	I agree with checking the black wire clip for the ground. That controls your dash lights. If i unplugged mine the dash lights would go out and the high beam warning light would come on.

12-05-2003, 11:14 PM	#7
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,594	I had the same problem ..Just ran a ground wire from the cluster to the dash...Good ground = bright lights. __________________ 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..

12-06-2003, 12:14 AM	#8
jacquesdean Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Snead, Alabama Posts: 399	Responses Thank you so much for your input, I'll try that tomorrow morning. has been a frustrating day taking several apart and changing things over, Has anyone ever put after market guages in the guage openings? __________________ Jock, Powder blasting shop, Alabama

12-06-2003, 12:33 AM	#9
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,594	Yep but I only had 2 guage's whaen I bought my new bezel and I just had to see what they would look like ... I still only have 2 guage's installed.... Just need to find the time.. __________________ 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..

12-06-2003, 03:46 AM	#10
gcolby Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Arlington, wa Posts: 23	I had the same issue, found that I had sliced one of the tracers on the PCB board putting the bezel back in to the dash....

12-07-2003, 08:02 PM	#11
Rod Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Eastern - Manitoba Canada, Winnipeg Posts: 4,369	My 70 GMC had similar problem bit I ended up changing the floor dimmer switch, headlight switch, turn signal switch and regulator. Not a great time finding the problem but I had parts to swap and try and mine needed all I listed. __________________ Senior active founding member. 70 3/4 ton GMC Suburban 4x4 250/4 spd. 71 1/2 ton Suburban Chevy 4x4, 350/350 72 Chev 1 ton tow truck 402BB w/Holmes 440 wrecker on propane 2005 FLSTSCI Harley Springer 85 FXSB Harley Lowrider 72 Triumph 650 Bonneville 5spd "Poor people don't have hobbies" Quote from wife.



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.