gauge lights off when they should be on
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 14
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From: indianapolis
Car: 86 trans am
Engine: 305... for now
Transmission: automatic.. about to be overhauled
Axle/Gears: stock
gauge lights off when they should be on
i will be impressed if any body gets this. i stopped at a gas station to get gas. when i get back in the car and flip the lights back on. the head lights come up and the exterior lights all function normally but the gauge back lights dont come on. i both turn singals still flash on the inside, and the brights light stays on like normal too. i changed the dimmer switch and the headlight switch, checked all the fuses....now what?
Supreme Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,341
Likes: 10
From: Mooresville NC
Car: LOWERED ♦ CRIMSON METALFLAKE
Engine: ► 400 KUBES ◄
Transmission: 765R4
Axle/Gears: EATON POSI 4.56
The First Impression Is The Lasting Impression
With the lightswitch in the “parking lights” position, use a voltmeter or test light (the type for testing for voltage, not a continuity tester) to probe both sides of the INST LPS fuse while turning the dimmer control back and forth.
Is there power on both sides?
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If You’re Passed By Your Own Tire On The Track, It’s Time For A Pit Stop
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Is there power on both sides?
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Happy Racing!
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If You’re Passed By Your Own Tire On The Track, It’s Time For A Pit Stop
.
Last edited by NINÅ; Oct 25, 2010 at 11:56 AM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: indianapolis
Car: 86 trans am
Engine: 305... for now
Transmission: automatic.. about to be overhauled
Axle/Gears: stock
Re: The First Impression Is The Lasting Impression
but i changed the dimmer switch??
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Maine
Car: 1989 Formula 350
Engine: 5.7l
Transmission: auto
Axle/Gears: BW 9 bolt w/3.27 gears
Re: The First Impression Is The Lasting Impression
I have the exact same problem with my 1989 Firebird and have yet to figure it out. Let me know if you figure it out.
Supreme Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,341
Likes: 10
From: Mooresville NC
Car: LOWERED ♦ CRIMSON METALFLAKE
Engine: ► 400 KUBES ◄
Transmission: 765R4
Axle/Gears: EATON POSI 4.56
Testing, Testing, Is This Thing On ?
Originally Posted by derek2493
but i changed the dimmer switch
Now its time to diagnose.
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Happy Racing!
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How bout those too scared to drive without headlights in the daytime
and the ones that need headlights for a little rain
.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: indianapolis
Car: 86 trans am
Engine: 305... for now
Transmission: automatic.. about to be overhauled
Axle/Gears: stock
Re: Testing, Testing, Is This Thing On ?
ok? so any ideas? if its not the dimmer switch then what else should i check?
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Supreme Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,341
Likes: 10
From: Mooresville NC
Car: LOWERED ♦ CRIMSON METALFLAKE
Engine: ► 400 KUBES ◄
Transmission: 765R4
Axle/Gears: EATON POSI 4.56
Testing, Testing, Is This Thing On ?
Originally Posted by derek2493
if its not the dimmer switch then what else should i check?
◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙
Happy Racing!
◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙
How bout those too scared to drive without headlights in the daytime
and the ones that need headlights for a little rain.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: indianapolis
Car: 86 trans am
Engine: 305... for now
Transmission: automatic.. about to be overhauled
Axle/Gears: stock
Re: Testing, Testing, Is This Thing On ?
yes the amps move when i move the switch.
Supreme Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,341
Likes: 10
From: Mooresville NC
Car: LOWERED ♦ CRIMSON METALFLAKE
Engine: ► 400 KUBES ◄
Transmission: 765R4
Axle/Gears: EATON POSI 4.56
Testing, Testing, Is This Thing On ?
OK you have a broken connection between the fuse output (gray wire) thru the dash connector with a possible cracked trace on the dash circuit board (the hairline cracks can be difficult to see).
Bad grounding has a lower probability because there is more than one ground involved therefore at least one bulb would illuminate if a ground went bad.
(Wire colors are subject to change year to year.)
◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙
Happy Racing!
◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙
How bout those too scared to drive without headlights in the daytime and the ones that need headlights for a little rain
.
Bad grounding has a lower probability because there is more than one ground involved therefore at least one bulb would illuminate if a ground went bad.
(Wire colors are subject to change year to year.)
◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙
Happy Racing!
◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙
How bout those too scared to drive without headlights in the daytime
and the ones that need headlights for a little rain.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: indianapolis
Car: 86 trans am
Engine: 305... for now
Transmission: automatic.. about to be overhauled
Axle/Gears: stock
Re: gauge lights off when they should be on
where would the wire be grounded?
Supreme Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,341
Likes: 10
From: Mooresville NC
Car: LOWERED ♦ CRIMSON METALFLAKE
Engine: ► 400 KUBES ◄
Transmission: 765R4
Axle/Gears: EATON POSI 4.56
Ground 2 A Halt
The black ground wires come out of the dash connectors and go to the Convenience Center bracket.
The Convenience Center is located behind the knee bolster.
The Convenience Center contains a flasher among other parts (just to help you identify it).
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Happy Racing!
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I Didnt Jump The Start, The Flagman Was Late
.
The Convenience Center is located behind the knee bolster.
The Convenience Center contains a flasher among other parts (just to help you identify it).
◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙
Happy Racing!
◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙
I Didnt Jump The Start, The Flagman Was Late
.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: indianapolis
Car: 86 trans am
Engine: 305... for now
Transmission: automatic.. about to be overhauled
Axle/Gears: stock
Re: gauge lights off when they should be on
ok. fixed it 
this is located above the "convenience center" when i unplugged this. i pluged a volt meter into the ground and the one next to it. then when i flipped the switch the lights came on. i basically then made a fuse to put in to connect the wires with out hard wireing or cutting. the lights turned on but did not move when i moved the light dimmer switch. i then wondered why i needed such a stupid part if i didnt need it.,, then i tried to start my car.. REPLACE THIS PART DONT HARD WIRE. OR YOU WILL GET STRANDED. idk wht this part is called though.
this is located above the "convenience center" when i unplugged this. i pluged a volt meter into the ground and the one next to it. then when i flipped the switch the lights came on. i basically then made a fuse to put in to connect the wires with out hard wireing or cutting. the lights turned on but did not move when i moved the light dimmer switch. i then wondered why i needed such a stupid part if i didnt need it.,, then i tried to start my car.. REPLACE THIS PART DONT HARD WIRE. OR YOU WILL GET STRANDED. idk wht this part is called though.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Maine
Car: 1989 Formula 350
Engine: 5.7l
Transmission: auto
Axle/Gears: BW 9 bolt w/3.27 gears
Re: gauge lights off when they should be on
I think that is the interior light dimmer switch. Gonna try to replace that on my car and see if that fixes my problem as well.
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