darkride86T/A

My dashboard lights don't come on. My parking lights and headlights work fine. My dome and interior lights all work as well. My door/key chime even still works. The only ones that don't work are the instr. cluster and gear indicator lights. I had this problem 7 years ago when I first bought my car. I put in an aftermarket radio and cleaned the terminal pins on my park/headlights and dimmer switch, and the dash lights started working. All was working fine until Aug. 0f '03 when my my bird was stolen. I got it back a month later, and of course the radio and cd changer were gone, but once again I didn't have dash lights. It's been this way for 4 years now. The car hadn't really been driven for a while so it didn't matter, but now I'm putting her back together and I drive it regularly. I really would like to not have to use my flashlight to see how fast I'm going at night(lol). Every now and then the dash lights will come on and work until I turn off the car. Could it be a loose connection somewhere or could my dimmer wire to my radio be bad? Or could it be in my dimmer switch wiring? The car is an 1986 T/A. Any replies or help is most appreciated. Thanks.

darkride86T/A

Here's an update with my dash lights issue. I searched through some old threads pertaining to dash light problems. It was a bad power transistor in my remote dimmer switch under the dash. I went to Radio Shack as suggested in the thread and bought a new power transistor. I'VE GOT DASH LIGHTS AGAIN!!!!!! It's wonderful and it only cost me $2.44!!! This is truly, by far, the best website pertaining to 3rd gen F-Bodies. I am proud to be an owner of a 3rd gen F-Body and I am proud to be a member of TGO. Thanks to all the other members who have helped me and others through this site. I hope I'll be able to help other members the same way that I've been helped.

thexyzaxis

double check the wiring to your aftermarket radio...there is wiring that goes to the original radio that is part of the dashboard lighting circuit and if that is grounded out .. your fuse will blow causing you not to have dash lights.

other than that you may need to replace your dimmer switch if the fuse is still not blown just worn out terminals in that switch...

I have a dark grey and a dark brown wire lead that I left disconnected and taped off on the ends.. which went to my original player... this is on my 83 firebitd SE btw.

Merlin86TA

I just wanted to say thank you, because I was having problems with my dash lights, and after reading and searching for fixes i finally found the problem and got it fixed.

darkride86T/A

Sorry for not responding to your PM, Merlin86TA. It's been a hectic week.
PM sent.

Merlin86TA

its cool man