Dash Lights

[Doug13]

I just got a 1984 surbanban, the dash lights aren't working . I already put in New bulds still nothing . I put in a new light switch still not coming on . Should I get a new circuit board strip next or is there anything else I should try . It's dangerous driving at night with no dash lights . Thank you all

 

[75gmck25]

If everything else in the cluster works, then the ground is probably good. If anything else is flaky (turn indicators, gauges, etc.), then fix the ground first.

My guess is that its probably the wire where the big plug goes into the cluster. It could also be the circuit board/sheet, but I think that's less likely because it doesn't really move around during normal driving.

I would pull the cluster out and do this:
- Identify the wire that provides power to the dash lights
- Verify that you are getting voltage to the terminal inside the plug when you turn on the dash lights. If not, trace it back to the headlight switch, and repair.
- Inspect the terminals inside the plug and inside the cluster half to make sure the spring terminals are unbroken, clean off corrosion (pencil eraser, followed by DeOxIt), and still springy enough to connect. Fix if needed.
- Plug the wires back in. Turn on lights and check for voltage on the circuit sheet. Start at the end closest to the plug. Fix as needed.

Bruce

 

[Doug13]

Thank You Bruce , I'm going to try that

 

[Charlie]

 

[bucket]

Do the tail lights work? GM always wired them so that the dash lights won't come on if the tail lights are not operating.

 

[73c20jim]

fuse???

 

[Doug13]

Hi yes th

Do the tail lights work? GM always wired them so that the dash lights won't come on if the tail lights are not operating.

Yes the tail lights works fine . I'm thinking after replacing the light switch and replacing every fuse in the box and checking the ground black wire could it be the circuit board/ sheet .

 

[ABINIDI]

Doug, For what its worth, on my 84 C30, on that big black plug that plugs into the gauge cluster, its the gray wire that is for the dash lights...