shot in the dark if anyone knows gm trucks - hopefully it's just a fuse, I haven't got to check to really diagnose yet Driving back from the ice races yesterday I noticed my dashlights went out. There is no gauge cluster illumination aside from the gear indicator and the service engine soon light. The hvac controls have no illumination as well. There is an aftermarket cd player in the car, that still illuminates. The dome light, other interior lights, and 4wd indicator all work. In addition, the turn signal lights on the dash work (although sometimes the rightside doesn't...). The highbeam indicator illuminates and the green headlight indictor is on except for if I actually turn the headlights on (the headlights themselves stay on no matter what position I have the switch turned to as long as the ignition is on - not sure if this is normal, I've never owned one of these trucks before and don't have an owner's manual). I've only had this truck for about a month and all the dashlights were working fine prior to this. Any ideas whats going on? I've messed with the dial that's next to the headlight switch (I assume that is the dimmer) but it doesn't do anything except turn the dome light on.
Dimmer switch probably died. I would explain the circuit, but we can only use 10,00 characters in a post. Is it something you need right away?? I can help trouble shoot it this weekend. I have ripped apart about 196598234872349087 of those trucks (I have a 96). Headlights on all the time is the DRL. Pull the fuse to disable that. I would also check voltage at the back of the headlight bulb. Most of these truck are hardly running 12 volts at the back of the bulbs. I have rewired 8-10 trucks with relays to get a solid 14+ at the back of the bump. Super easy to do and then you can make it so when the high beams go on, the lows also stay on. It is a seperate wire for the dash lights. I think it is either the orange or purple on the back of the switch. Russ
naw I don't need to fix it anytime soon - I drove it to work today because the gvr4 needed air in the tires. If you could help with looking at it sometime that would be great Russ - only thing is I think it's too long to fit into the heated garage lol. And yes, I did notice the headlights suck on this thing
Quick run down on the power to the headlights. From the alt to the battery. From the battery to the distribution box on drivers fender From distribution box to relay box inside in driver kickpanel. from relay box to headlight switch from headlight switch back to relay box relay box out to distribution box distribution box out to headlights. And thats just the hot side. The ground side of the circuit is just as crazy. Put it this way, if you lose a battery to body ground, you will melt all the ground wires in the front end of the truck. Don't ask me how I know, but I can tell you that the next ground point is the screw that holds the horn to the front clip.:laugh: Russ
could be the actual headlight switch too. mine has gone out 3 times already. other then that, i do believe you'll need to check the fuse... What truck is it? yr??? Aj
My '93 K1500 did this too, it was the switch, but I didn't replace it, I just smacked it around a bit and it went back to doing it's job. Eventually I expect it will fail again, but that was like 3 years ago. The wiring is ugly, like Russ said. I just wired in a trailer brake controller ('cuz it's in the garage and warm anyhow while I get the brakes fixed), and it's a rats nest under the dash. Russ, any expereince diagnosing/resolving RWAL issues with these things?
The headlight switch is a very common part to fail. If you also lost your rear tail lights and the dash lights, then its the switch. Also the dimmer and the switch is on the same assy.
My 94' Chevy Diesel Just did the exact same thing earlier this winter. It was my Headlight switch. They are very easy to replace, and cheap at the junk yards.
alright, so chances are it's the switch assembly. I'll poke around with the multimeter tonight to verify but they look cheap enough I may just replace it. thanks mnsubaru - you were far more helpful than the gm truck forum lol
Were you pulling a trailer? I had issues this fall with a early 90s chevy. When we plugged in the trailer the dash lights would die. We would blow fuses like mad. It ended up being that there was a trailer wire grounding out (long story). anyway there could be a chance that some snow/slush/water grounded out your trailer wiring and blew the fuse. just an idea
light switches are $43 at napa (1 yr warranty) and $40 at Checker auto (lifetime warranty). i JUST bought mine LAST week!!! LOL... this cold weather starts f'n with everything! AJ
my moms van blows a fuse when it pulls a trailer and looses tail lights and dash lights but not head lights. also not joking check your dimmer which is right next to where you turn the headlights on at. when I backed the trailer into your driveway I had no dash lights because with my gloves on when I turned the headlights on the glove over lapped the dimmer switch for you dash lights and turned them down. I turned it back up and on came the dash lights.
Rear wheel anti lock?? If so, all I have ever done is unplug the harness and use my mad skillz.:biggrin: My 96 anti-locks would go off all the time and it made it real dangerous. Think 10 mph in stop and go and just pressing down the pedal enough to slow down and losing your brakes because of the abs. If it is something else, let me know. I have ripped apart these truck about a million times. Russ
