92 Firebird, 3.1 engine. Just bought it. I was told that the previous owner put in a new distributor, plugs, wires etc. Runs great.

Two things I notice. The dash lights (instrument cluster) stay on full bright all the time.

The check engine and brake lights NEVER come on, even at start up.

When I turn the ignition key the security light and the air bag light (infl rest) are the only lights on the dash that come on.......maybe the seatbelt light too.

Where do I start looking?

 

Check the light bulbs, replace the light from a known working light and check each socket.

 

I agree with the CEL bulb probably being bad. To test, there is a position of the key between RUN and START. It's not easy to find at first, but when you hit it, ALL of the cluster indicators (except for the flashers and high beam) should come on. If that fails, the bulb may be dead. Check first. There could also be a problem in the ECM, but it's more than likely a 20+ year old bulb finally croaked.

As for the brake light, you're used to the newer cars. Ours only come on either with the parking brake pulled or a fluid pressure differential in the proportioning valve kicking the warning light switch ON. Although, I have noticed that sometimes it would go on when I hit the hatch release with the engine running and the park brake not pulled (without the automatic trans only, never had this problem with it).

Have you tried turning the dimmer down for the dash lights?

 

I took the dash apart and the check engine engine bulb had been removed.

I put a new bulb in and now the check engine light comes on all the time. Now I know why it was removed!

Going to check the trouble codes now and hope it is easy to diagnose!