gauge lights not working
12-17-2008, 11:31 PM
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Car: 1990 RS tbi camaro
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gauge lights not working
any one know why my gauges are not working i replaced the fuse for the gauges and it still doesnt light up they used to work and now stopped working. is there a bulb behind the gauges that goes out? all my other lights work inside and out, exept the tail-light 
12-20-2008, 01:15 PM
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Re: gauge lights not working
Apeiron is right - the dimmer control on the headlight switch is the first place to look. Make sure it is not in the "off" position before going any further with troubleshooting.
12-22-2008, 11:28 PM
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Re: gauge lights not working
the **** is in the "on" position. and my dash lights are out,but all my back lights work except my tail light:my third brake light
12-22-2008, 11:36 PM
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Re: gauge lights not working
there is also a lighting module that may be bad. It's by the blinker/flasher breakers and buzzer speaker. if all else is good, this may be your issue.
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TWON_3rdGEN (12-29-2019)
12-23-2008, 06:39 AM
#7
Re: gauge lights not working
This is an quote from another thread where I posted some pictures from the factory manual to show where the actual dimmer module is. Here is the whole thread that is titled "Dash lights not working".....
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/elec...tml?highlight=
J.
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Ive never experienced this... They are on a completely different circuit, are they not? Ive had my "instr" fuse blow due to a dime stuck in my cig lighter...but my tail lights still worked fine.
J.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/elec...tml?highlight=
Couple things it could be... One. Double check the fuses. Swap the one that the cig lighter is on... just to be sure. Its the same fuse as the dash lights if I remember correctly. Sometimes fuses can blow and they're hard to see.
Now...Im willing to bet its one of two issues. I didnt look back into your old problem very much. But Im thinking its either the switch, or the remote dimmer. Ide almost put my money on the remote dimmer. This little sucker is tucked away nicely on the passenger side of the steering column. Its very hard to get to, and almost impossible to see. Ill post the info that I have on it. I just helped someone else with it, so I even have some snap shots of the factory manual from GM showing the location. The picture is of the steering column brace....you can kinda get your hand up there. haha... its fun.
I think its silly for where they put it, especially since they seem to go bad frequently. Just a tip...you can get to the plug and un-hook it, and bring the wiring down to the new part to test it first before you try to remove/replace it.
That might help ya out some.
J.
Now...Im willing to bet its one of two issues. I didnt look back into your old problem very much. But Im thinking its either the switch, or the remote dimmer. Ide almost put my money on the remote dimmer. This little sucker is tucked away nicely on the passenger side of the steering column. Its very hard to get to, and almost impossible to see. Ill post the info that I have on it. I just helped someone else with it, so I even have some snap shots of the factory manual from GM showing the location. The picture is of the steering column brace....you can kinda get your hand up there. haha... its fun.
I think its silly for where they put it, especially since they seem to go bad frequently. Just a tip...you can get to the plug and un-hook it, and bring the wiring down to the new part to test it first before you try to remove/replace it.
That might help ya out some.
J.
J.
----------
J.
Last edited by ghettocruiser; 12-23-2008 at 06:42 AM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
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12-23-2008, 05:54 PM
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Re: gauge lights not working
That's the module I was talking about. Thanks for correcting my wording. I had that happen to me too. Hard to get at without taking some things out of your way, but possible.
12-23-2008, 09:12 PM
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Re: gauge lights not working
This is an quote from another thread where I posted some pictures from the factory manual to show where the actual dimmer module is. Here is the whole thread that is titled "Dash lights not working".....
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/elec...tml?highlight=
J.
----------
Ive never experienced this... They are on a completely different circuit, are they not? Ive had my "instr" fuse blow due to a dime stuck in my cig lighter...but my tail lights still worked fine.
J.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/elec...tml?highlight=
J.
----------
Ive never experienced this... They are on a completely different circuit, are they not? Ive had my "instr" fuse blow due to a dime stuck in my cig lighter...but my tail lights still worked fine.
J.
12-24-2008, 02:06 PM
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Re: gauge lights not working
Check the bulbs there are bulbs in there, i actually just replaced a couple in mine, also had to rplace the bulbs where my a/c heater controls are both went bad try that u can pick them up at advance auto or napa
12-25-2008, 02:46 AM
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Re: gauge lights not working
Like Apeiron said earlier, check the headlight switch. Probably just wearing out. . .
#26 in the picture. (from the Chevy 90' Camaro Service Manual)
As for your 3rd brake light, have you removed it and checked the bulbs? I wouldn't be suprised if all 5 of those lil' bulbs burned out. Mine were out when I bought my car. No one ever bothered to change them. . .
#26 in the picture. (from the Chevy 90' Camaro Service Manual)
As for your 3rd brake light, have you removed it and checked the bulbs? I wouldn't be suprised if all 5 of those lil' bulbs burned out. Mine were out when I bought my car. No one ever bothered to change them. . .
12-25-2008, 03:20 AM
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Re: gauge lights not working
Check the 5 amp (orange) fuse. I know it sounds dumb but I blew it and thought the lights were on a different fuse and didnt even know it.
12-25-2008, 02:05 PM
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Re: gauge lights not working
You said you replaced the gages fuse, but was that the 10 amp "gages" fuse, or was it the 5 amp "inst lp"(instrument lamps) fuse? Changing the 10 amp fuse wouldn't have affected the lighting. So, yes, check that 5 amp fuse.
But if the "inst lp" fuse is ok, then also check the 20 amp "tail" fuse. Even tho the dash lights have their own circuit, that circuit is tied to the taillight circuit, and the headlight/dimmer switch controls them all. And, therein, lies the connection between the headlight/dimmer switch, the dash lights and the taillights. So if the "tail" fuse blows, the "inst lp" fuse can remain unaffected, yet you'll still have no dash lights.
If the "tail" fuse is bad, however, then replacing it will probably just lead to blowing the new fuse the instant you turn the lights on again, telling you there's, obviously, a short somewhere that you'll have to track down.
But if the "inst lp" fuse is ok, then also check the 20 amp "tail" fuse. Even tho the dash lights have their own circuit, that circuit is tied to the taillight circuit, and the headlight/dimmer switch controls them all. And, therein, lies the connection between the headlight/dimmer switch, the dash lights and the taillights. So if the "tail" fuse blows, the "inst lp" fuse can remain unaffected, yet you'll still have no dash lights.
If the "tail" fuse is bad, however, then replacing it will probably just lead to blowing the new fuse the instant you turn the lights on again, telling you there's, obviously, a short somewhere that you'll have to track down.
12-26-2008, 08:36 PM
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Re: gauge lights not working
i changed the 10amp "gauges" fuse and the 20amp "tail" fuses everything electric works exept my gauge lights.also i have no fuse in the "radio" slot if that matters.also i have taken out the fuse for the trunk latch motor because if that use is in the motor doesnt shut up. thnx firebird guy
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