Strange problem but one I can live with: The gas gauge on my 87 camaro works fine intil I turn on the parking lights/headlight switch and illuminate the instrument display panel, causing the gas gauge needle to fall to the left empty indicator. If I dim the display panel with my parking light swith (turn to left), the gauge functions again (not much good for night time driving). I checked the fuse for instrument panel, and it is strong enough. Any advice?

 

Sounds like one of the wires for the fuel gauge is touching one of the panel light wires. The back of the dash has the wires laminated in plastic, check for shorts and the condition of the lamination.

 

Thanks for the info. I assume this means pulling out the dashboard, or can they be reached from underneath?

 

no your going to have to pull the dash

 

Electrical mechanic says the problem may be a ground down by the fuse box. He stated that there is a 10mm screw which the ground connects to, and I don't need to remove the dash to reach it. I will get to it this week.