New c10 owner needs help w/ dash lights.

[81 zac]

Hi guys I have a 81 c10 with dashboard light issue need some help from the experts recently just installed a new under the dash harness because the old was all cut up and the dash light don't work anymore.i checked the fuse and good then checked the fuse box and it's not going power. What should I do next. Thanks in advance

 

[HotRodPC]

Thread moved to Electrical & Audio > Gauge, Speedo & Instrumentation category for more responses and title edited to include dash lights.


I'm a bit lost here. So the dashboard lights didn't work due to a cut a harness? And then another harness was installed and they still don't work?

How about the tail lights? Do they work? If they work, it's not a fuse problem since they're on the same circuit. Has anyone checked, tested or swapped the headlight switch? Have you tried turning the headlight knob as to try and adjust the brightness of the dash lights? Sometimes they have bad spots in that adjuster and will work in a different position.

 

[81 zac]

Tested the fuse box with a light tester and it has no power to it, swapped out light switch to with another also and brake lights work normal.

 

[HotRodPC]

So does the truck start? No power to nothing at all except the brake lights? No power at all to the fuse box at all?

 

[81 zac]

Truck runs and drives fine, everything else works except the dash lights that's what's got me confused

 

[HotRodPC]

I don't understand how it can run and every thing work except the dash lights if there's no power at the fuse box. Where is this mysterious power coming from for ignition power, brake and headlights etc???

I'm going to go with bad headlight switch which you said it is NOT for certain, or the printed circuit on the instrument cluster may have a break or burn in it. However, I don't claim to be an electrical expert. There's usually a couple other guys that do better with over the computer diagnosis but you'll have to help with clear description of problems. @chengny

 

[81 zac]

Sorry what I mean to say is the rest of the fuse box is getting power that's why everything else works but the slot for the dash light fuse doesn't have power

 

[HotRodPC]

Sorry what I mean to say is the rest of the fuse box is getting power that's why everything else works but the slot for the dash light fuse doesn't have power

If the dash lights fuse didn't have power, then your tail lights wouldn't be working either. They're on the same circuit to the best of my knowledge. At least it's that way on my 84-86 squares. Hopefully one of guys mo better on electrical diagnosis can confirm.

 

[81 zac]

Hey guys thanks for all the help with my problem I was having, got it fixed it ended being the new headlight switch was the issue.

 

[crpntr78]

Cudos to you Hotrod

 

[theblindchicken]

Good to see you got it fixed.

Was thinking it had to be a headlight switch or a bad ground in the dash, but if it was the ground then you wouldn't have any electrical gauges either.

 

[78C10BigTen]

Hey guys thanks for all the help with my problem I was having, got it fixed it ended being the new headlight switch was the issue.

Thats exactly what was wrong with my dash lights when i bought my truck. Cheap easy fix