No dash lights

[Karter33]

I recently purchased a 1981 Chevy K10 pickup. None of the dash lights or the gas gauge worked at that time. I have rebuilt the gauge cluster with a new gas gauge, new circuit board, all new sockets and bulbs. I have also put a new headlight switch in and replaced 1 turn signal socket. My problem is that I have no dash lights. All the gauges are working. The only lights that light up on the dash is the brake light, fasten seatbelt and the left turn signal will flash when turned on. All the outside lights work as they should (running lights, head lights, turn signals, blinkers, brake lights and the tag light). All the fuses are good. I am lost and don't know what else to check. The truck does not have the original steering column in it. Could this have something to do with it? Thanks for any help.

 

[Turbo4whl]

Steering column, less likely, only if it has a light for the key.

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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.

You did say the headlight switch is new. Can you feel the dial resistor when you turn the knob. This all will give you a place to start.

 

[Karter33]

OK. Got the dash lights working, (Bad connection on the headlight switch) But no turn signal indicator lights. Turn signals work fine outside and I can hear them clicking but no inside lights.

 

[romcjr]

May need to pull the cluster and check the bulbs . Could also replace with led bulbs , much brighter . Good luck !!!

 

[David King]

If they are the standard "peanut" bulbs, you may have to turn them 180 degrees for them to light up. Found that out the hard way! Than swapped them all out with LED's, much better!

 

[Andreas Wickman]

Aha, so there are LEDs for dash lights! The original ones are so week so I have longed for stronger ones for years. Where to buy these LED ones?

 

[Randy and Easton]

194 LED Bulb - COB LED - T3.25 Miniature Wedge Base - 135 Lumens

194 LED Bulb has the same shape and size of old technology, but has the improved design of LED COB light. Retrofit this miniature wedge base wherever standard 194 bulbs are. Use for courtesy, dome, or map light. Install in the glove box, trunk, inside door, and more. A convenient replacement...

www.superbrightleds.com

 

[Randy and Easton]

Easton loves his LED’s

 

[Randy and Easton]

@Karter33 I’m sure you checked the cluster ground? I know on the older squares it’s grounded to parking brake frame

Keep us posted

 

[RustyPile]

OK. Got the dash lights working, (Bad connection on the headlight switch) But no turn signal indicator lights. Turn signals work fine outside and I can hear them clicking but no inside lights.

Reference the above posted wiring diagram..... The turn indicator dash bulbs share the same circuits with the front turn signal lights. The blue wire coming off the T/S switch splits off on the harness side and one "leg" goes to the right dash indicator light, while the other "leg" goes to the right front turn indicator light. The light blue wire does the same thing for the left side. If the front turn indicators work as they should, the problem is NOT in the T/S switch, so no need to go into the steering column.. You either have bad bulbs or there is an open somewhere between the split and the printed circuit board. Could be the "ears" of the P/C board are broken or bent out of place and not making contact with the printed circuit connector plug, or the bulb socket isn't making good contact with the P/C trace..

 

[Cyrillious]

OK. Got the dash lights working, (Bad connection on the headlight switch) But no turn signal indicator lights. Turn signals work fine outside and I can hear them clicking but no inside lights.

I had the same thing with my turn signals inside on the dash not illuminating and outside works. Fortunately the bulbs were the issue. Now I have no gauge lights and that's after I changed the 194 bulbs! Now I got to dig deeper and check the fuse later