Gas Guage/Int Light Issues - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

*JCampbell* · 08-18-2008, 01:39 PM

I've developed a problem lately and I'm not sure where it stems from or when exactly it started. When I turn on my lights, my dash lights don't come on, my gas gauge stops working (needle drops to 'e'), and my high beam indicator turns on for low beams/goes off when I hit the high beams.

Any ideas? I tore the dash apart this weekend to look for the obvious, but to no avail. Headlight switch maybe?

swb85 · 08-18-2008, 02:43 PM

Probably a problem with the printed circuit on the cluster. Mine was doing a very similar deal when I bought it (gas gauge only worked with headlights off). I got fed up and replaced the whole cluster with autometer gauges.

*JCampbell* · 08-18-2008, 03:28 PM

I thought about that too.

*JCampbell* · 08-20-2008, 10:32 AM

Nobody's ever experienced this before? C'mon.

Guess I'll start at the headlight switch.

**Captkaos** · 08-20-2008, 11:13 AM

Assuming everything worked properly prior to all this, what electrical changes have been made to the truck? My first though is a short and printed circuit.

*JCampbell* · 08-20-2008, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captkaos

Assuming everything worked properly prior to all this, what electrical changes have been made to the truck? My first though is a short and printed circuit.

Nothing. No electrical changes.

I'll take a peek at the circut.

wedgemon · 08-20-2008, 11:53 AM

Check for shorted wires - i/e: screws thru or wear spots along the affected circuits.

I had a '83 GMC, push in the cig lighter and the dome light would come on. Turns out that the lighter fuse was replaced oversized and melted the shared circuit wiring to the floor - along the driver side run to the dome light. It was kinda cool though... Hated fixing it.

- Dave

**Captkaos** · 08-20-2008, 02:38 PM

Check the fuses like Dave said also. And check your grounds on the upper left under the dash. I had my interior lights blow out when I hit the brakes regularly, ended up being a lost ground.

08-18-2008, 01:39 PM	#1
JCampbell Account Suspended Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Hesperia, Ca Posts: 1,332	Gas Guage/Int Light Issues I've developed a problem lately and I'm not sure where it stems from or when exactly it started. When I turn on my lights, my dash lights don't come on, my gas gauge stops working (needle drops to 'e'), and my high beam indicator turns on for low beams/goes off when I hit the high beams. Any ideas? I tore the dash apart this weekend to look for the obvious, but to no avail. Headlight switch maybe? Last edited by JCampbell; 08-18-2008 at 01:39 PM.

08-18-2008, 02:43 PM	#2
swb85 On a budget like Fred Sanford Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Topeka, KS Posts: 2,031	Re: Gas Guage/Int Light Issues Probably a problem with the printed circuit on the cluster. Mine was doing a very similar deal when I bought it (gas gauge only worked with headlights off). I got fed up and replaced the whole cluster with autometer gauges. __________________ '85 Silverado swb: 383 stroker, 10.5:1, vortec heads, 232/238 roller cam, RPM air gap, performer 750 carb, stainless longtubes, 3" duals/super 44's, T56/4.11 383ci build / exterior refresh thread '98 Camaro z28: 370ci twin turbo 370ci build '01 Tahoe LT 4x4: 5.3, longtubes/ory, magnaflow duals, custom tune....wife's DD

08-18-2008, 03:28 PM	#3
JCampbell Account Suspended Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Hesperia, Ca Posts: 1,332	Re: Gas Guage/Int Light Issues I thought about that too.

08-20-2008, 10:32 AM	#4
JCampbell Account Suspended Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Hesperia, Ca Posts: 1,332	Re: Gas Guage/Int Light Issues Nobody's ever experienced this before? C'mon. Guess I'll start at the headlight switch.

08-20-2008, 11:13 AM	#5
Captkaos www.73-87chevytrucks.com Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 6,935	Re: Gas Guage/Int Light Issues Assuming everything worked properly prior to all this, what electrical changes have been made to the truck? My first though is a short and printed circuit. __________________ Chris Lucas 1973 Chevy C-10 1978 GMC Jimmy (2WD) - SOLD 1987 R10 twin turbo LS 1991 R3500 SRW CrewCab 1985 K5 diesel swapped project 1989 K5 2WD conversion w/ Vette susp Project Captkaos Customs 73-87chevytrucks.com

08-20-2008, 11:53 AM	#7
wedgemon Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Spanish Springs, NV Posts: 1,171	Re: Gas Guage/Int Light Issues Check for shorted wires - i/e: screws thru or wear spots along the affected circuits. I had a '83 GMC, push in the cig lighter and the dome light would come on. Turns out that the lighter fuse was replaced oversized and melted the shared circuit wiring to the floor - along the driver side run to the dome light. It was kinda cool though... Hated fixing it. - Dave __________________ 2003 Silverado K1500 Z71 - Arrival Blue 1973 K5 Cheyenne Blazer 350/TH350/NP203 Kids Trucks:92 K1500 Blazer 5.7/700R4 4" lift. RETIRED: 1980 Scottsdale 4x4 Founding Member: "TILT WHEEL BELLY." Club

08-20-2008, 02:38 PM	#8
Captkaos www.73-87chevytrucks.com Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 6,935	Re: Gas Guage/Int Light Issues Check the fuses like Dave said also. And check your grounds on the upper left under the dash. I had my interior lights blow out when I hit the brakes regularly, ended up being a lost ground. __________________ Chris Lucas 1973 Chevy C-10 1978 GMC Jimmy (2WD) - SOLD 1987 R10 twin turbo LS 1991 R3500 SRW CrewCab 1985 K5 diesel swapped project 1989 K5 2WD conversion w/ Vette susp Project Captkaos Customs 73-87chevytrucks.com



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