How do I check it? Is it a part commonly carried?

Just another one of my many, many problems. Luckily though, they mostly seem minor!

While we're at it, what about the vacuum lines running under the dash? I suspect I have a leak back here, but don't see any of the hoses, where are they? I've got everything apart so I'd like to knock out 23 birds with one stone.

 

What kind of car is this?

 

RB,

Of course. Sorry.

84 Z28.

 

I thought so...

There's no dimmer module in a Camaro, only in Firebirds.

Do you have voltage at the instr lp fuse?

Or, since you're about to have the dash out of it, it's a short step to get the headlight switch out... there's a little button on the side of the sitch that you push in to release the switch shaft, then remove the screw-looking collar that holds the switch to the dash, and unplug it. When you get the cluster out, you'll be able to see it.

Here we go again with the little buttons that are hard to find, but they're there, even if you can't find them.... sounds like a personal / relationship problem almost.

 

Speaking of which:

http://www.nethirdgen.org/cgi-bin/ul...c&f=1&t=027174

I thought there was a little output transistor that is located behind the radio.........but maybe that's only on a few years of birds....

 

Well, this is like the old tree falling in the woods.

I could swear, I mean, I know for a fact that the release lever for the speedo cable was on the top!

I had everything out so far and I was able to rip enough skin off of my hand that I could check from the bottom side of the instrument cluster.........Guess what I found.

OK, now the button on the light switch...........is it on the bottom too?

 

Yeah that skin-ripping business feels so good!!! Kind of makes you understand why some dealership techs that think nothing of swapping motors and transmissions will refuse to work on interiors.

I'm not really sure which way it points, it's been a long time since I had to deal with mine.... you might want to go to Auto Zone or wherever next time you take a break, and look at a new one, to get familiar with what you're looking for.

Or of course, just check the voltage at the fuse, and see if it's there; you might not need to fool around with the headlight switch at all.

 

Sometimes bleeding helps lubricate the entire process and helps things flow more smoothly!

I got the switch out. I'll check for power at the fuse box though. The fuse WAS fine. I'll have a lookie loo!

 

RB,

Guess what I just found........and I'm embarassed to say, a blown fuse.

I think I woke up on the wrong side of the bed!

One last question, since you've been whipping my Z into shape (wanna come visit), how should I check the speedo cable? If I'm able to move the shaft it's toast right?

I used to be a deisel mechanic when I was in the army, Howitzers and such.........

I'd prefer to swap out trannies and engines all day long opposed to finding out why one of the circuit breakers kept tripping.

The worst thing about the big stuff is having the equipment. It's like on the movie Aliens, when they were sure they were on another bug hunt! They'd prefer to fight all out.

But I've got plenty to do on both ends. My camaro needs an oil pan seal and my bronco needs a rear main seal! Oh, and another car I have needs some fabrication............spring perch snapped off!

 

Sometimes we all just outsmart ouselves, and overlook the simple things. It happens to the best of us, which means it happens about 3 times as much to me.

Yeah, if you can spin the cable at the speedo end while it's hooked up at the trans end, it's garbage.

You can get a new cable inner from any place that carries the Help! line of service parts, such as Auto Zone and Car Quest, and others.

 

Every other one I've had break on me I could easily pull the shaft right out of the cable itself.

95% percent of things that break when I own them are because I fixed them!

 

Yep, the remote dimmer is only used on 85'-92' birds. Some more info on this topic is avaliable at:

http://www.p71interceptor.com/thirdgen/remotedimmer