New to me 88 GTA, haven't gotten service manuals yet so hope some of you guys have been in and around the dash panel before.

Two problems going on, first the dashboard dimmer switch doesn't offer any interior light control. Dash, radio, etc are at a high setting all the time when headlights are on. Swith will turn over head light on/off. I'm guessing the switch itself is bad but if there's other known issues please let me know.

Second is while driving and sometimes just sitting still the panel lights go dim then back bright and sometimes they just go out. From past wiring experience I'm guessing this is a loose ground somewhere. Where is the grounding wire for the dash lights located. Hoping it's one you can get to without removing the cluster panel.

Thanks!

 

Should be one or two small black wires under the dash that ground to metal frame of the dash. You might want to check the wiring to your dimmer switch or replace it.

 

Thanks for info. For now I'll try to get the flicker / cut-out corrected. For the most part this car is in great shape, especially for an 88. A few minor fixes here and there and it'll be like brand new. Mechanical is more my deal than the electric side though. Not that I can't do it, just never have liked it. Something about fitting my 6'4" frame in those little spaces under the dash while you try to trace one wire in a maze of others. Enough whining, I'll try to get on this over the weekend and figure it out. I'll let you guys know the results and if I learn anything worth sharing.

Thanks again.

 

Hey,

Don't feel bad. I'm 6'4" myself. Of course, it doesn't hurt that I only weigh 175.

 

The Firebirds used a transistorized dimmer which can be found attached to the metal on the right-hand side of the steering column, just above the hush panel. It could be faulty, but it's possible that one or both switches are bad.
Those rocker-type switches can be found in many mid/late 80's to early/mid 90's GM cars.

6'4" = giants to me at only 4'21"