Instrument cluster lights

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

hardylane23

Junior Member
Joined
Dec 4, 2023
Posts
3
Reaction score
2
Location
Dry Ridge KY
First Name
Curtis
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
C1500
Engine Size
305
Thanks for letting me into the group. I have an 85 GMC Classic Sierra. My instrument cluster gauges work but the lights will not. Is this normal when the printed circuit board is bad?
 

Memaloose

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 2, 2018
Posts
544
Reaction score
1,595
Location
Dolan Springs, AZ
First Name
Tony
Truck Year
1975
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
Welcome from Arizona!

Too new a rig for me to be familiar with but from my past work I think it could be your light switch that dims and brightens the dash lamps. Something to check anyway. Good luck!
 

hardylane23

Junior Member
Joined
Dec 4, 2023
Posts
3
Reaction score
2
Location
Dry Ridge KY
First Name
Curtis
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
C1500
Engine Size
305
I think I have tried that but I will try it again. Thanks
 

Jgonick

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2017
Posts
299
Reaction score
377
Location
West Texas
First Name
Joel
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
350
Several different things can cause dash lights not to work. Start with the easiest- check the fuse. Check the ground (sidewall by emergency brake). Possibly the headlight pull switch (it rotates to dim dash lights) might be bad or have a loose connection.
 

Turbo4whl

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 30, 2019
Posts
3,126
Reaction score
7,256
Location
Downingtown, PA
First Name
Wayne
Truck Year
1974
Truck Model
Jimmy
Engine Size
350
You must be registered for see images attach





You must be registered for see images attach


Okay instrument lights, power from the parking/ taillight fuse to the headlight switch. Through the dial resistor in the switch back to the fuse panel. Through the 5 amp fuse then to the connector on the instrument panel. Lots of places to loose a connection.

So split up the system like this first: With your test light on a good ground. Turn the lights on and probe the 5 amp fuse. You should have a light on your test light and you can dim it by turning the knob on the headlight switch.

If the light does not light the bad connection is possibly bad at the headlight switch. Also could be bad at the back of the fuse panel. If the test lights up from the first test then you need to check the connection at the instrument panel.
 

Attachments

  • 1701739956060.png
    1701739956060.png
    452.2 KB · Views: 55

Ken B

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2019
Posts
1,191
Reaction score
1,455
Location
indiana
First Name
ken
Truck Year
81
Truck Model
c10
Engine Size
250
I am trying to get the instrument cluster lights working, some do some don't, anyone have any tricks to getting the individual lamps to work? I am replacing bulbs with LEDs , i am about at 60% working......
 

gmbellew

Full Access Member
Joined
May 27, 2018
Posts
1,214
Reaction score
1,283
Location
Kansas city
First Name
glen
Truck Year
1990
Truck Model
suburban 1500
Engine Size
350
I am trying to get the instrument cluster lights working, some do some don't, anyone have any tricks to getting the individual lamps to work? I am replacing bulbs with LEDs , i am about at 60% working......
Some LED are directional. Can you install the bulbs 180 deg different than currently installed?
 

Ken B

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2019
Posts
1,191
Reaction score
1,455
Location
indiana
First Name
ken
Truck Year
81
Truck Model
c10
Engine Size
250
thanks I will give that a try. but these LEDs are so much brighter I might not need any more .
 

Rob red

Junior Member
Joined
May 8, 2023
Posts
3
Reaction score
1
Location
North East
First Name
Rob
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
M1008
Engine Size
6.2
My truck came to me with literally every bulb burnt out except one of them.

I would check the bulbs as well
 

Donald vonMinden

Junior Member
Joined
Mar 30, 2020
Posts
12
Reaction score
10
Location
Dallas, GA
First Name
Don
Truck Year
1977,1974
Truck Model
K10 Silverado, and Blazer
Engine Size
350 both
Check the tail light fuse, sometimes the tail lights interconnect with the dash lights so the driver is alerted when the tail lights are not working........
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
44,165
Posts
950,710
Members
36,279
Latest member
MTBR12
Top