Last week I tuned on my lights in my 88 formula and the dash lights did not come on. All of the gauge lights and the gear indicator(automatic) lights are out. All of the gauges are working and the turn signal indicator and warning lights still work. The light for the radio(stock) works when the lights are off, but when I turn on the lights the radio light goes out. I have no idea why this is happening. If anyone has any advice for me, I would apreciate it.

 

Sounds like either your dimmer control or light switch is broke. the dimmer controls lights on the radio, dash & shift indicator when the lights are turned on
Turn signals & warning lights work on a seperate circuit.

Are you sure the dimmer is not just turned all the way down by chance ? (maybe bumped it)

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[This message has been edited by deadbird (edited August 24, 2001).]

 

The dimmer switch is turned up and the dome light will still come on when switch is all the way up. I will take your advice and check out and possibly replace those switches.

 

Did you check the fuse too, by chance ?

 

I've looked at e fuses and none of them have blown. But I am not actually sure which fuse would affect these lights. The guage, radio, and tail fuses are fine. Would it be the fuse labeled "cluster"? this one is missing. It does not have the copper connectors like the others do, I tried to put a new fuse in it, but it fit loose and nothing changed.

 

The instrument light fuse is the 5 amp one in the back,, left (I think) of the fuse panel & says something like INST PNL (don't quote me on that either), but it is 5 amps. I think the door chime is on this fuse too. so if you lost your door chime, the fuse may be toast.

 

On the back left, I found a 5 amp fuse labeled INST LPS, but it is fine. I also get the door and light chime.

 

Next step is to pull the switch. If you have a voltmeter/tester you can check the switch, there is a large red wire leading into the switch which is the main power to the switch hooked direct to the starter. Also on the harness shold be a dark green wire, this supplies power to all the inst lamps. If you turn your lights on & there is no 12v comming from this wire lead, the switch is most likely broken. This green wire goes from the switch to the fuse panel, from there, the wire is grey and is spliced to all of the lights (excluding the dome lamp).

[This message has been edited by deadbird (edited August 25, 2001).]

 

I'll try this out tomorow. Two questions: 1 Do I have to remove the dash pannel to remove the switch? 2 You are refering to the dimmer switch, not the on/off switch, right?

 

The gauge trim will have to come off to get to the dimmer/switch

The green wire should be on the switch but, w/o yanking my dash apart I honestly couldn't tell you, the wiring diagram for a firebird(sadly enough) doesn't show the dimmer as even present . The dimmer does not control the actual lights comming on or not tho.

To guess I'd say the green wire will run to the dimmer, from the dimmer to the dash lights. It's possible for the dimmer to be cooked and not the power switch. That's why I say check the voltage at the switch, no outgoing volts from the switch, no dash lights.

 

I had the EXACT same problem. I had just installed new fog lights and I was playing with the on/off switch when I broke it. It blew the INST LPS (I think thats what its labeled) fuse. I put a new fuse in and still nothing. Then I put a new fog light switch in and everything worked again ...Really weird.