Headlights/dash lights out
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 546
From: Central Texas
Headlights/dash lights out
I'm taking my '81 to have some exhaust work done this morning. I have no headlights or dash lights. I'll check fuses first. I thought these were two separate circuits. I have parking lights. Am I looking at a headlight switch or?
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
2 separate systems, both are controlled with the headlight switch.
gauge lights are a fuse in fusebox, headlights do not use this fuse.
gauge lights are a fuse in fusebox, headlights do not use this fuse.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I'd suspect the headlamp switch since both are failing. You can check the fuse but I doubt this is part of the issue unless the headlamp switch shorted and blew the fuse.
Below is a picture of how the switch works that may give you some insight. Keep in mind that this is a 68-77 diagram but the function is exactly the same.
Getting to the switch is pretty easy too, just use this direction sheet if you've never had the speedo tach cluster out of the car. Once you get the cluster out, remove the **** by pressing the button on the bottom.
Below is a picture of how the switch works that may give you some insight. Keep in mind that this is a 68-77 diagram but the function is exactly the same.
Getting to the switch is pretty easy too, just use this direction sheet if you've never had the speedo tach cluster out of the car. Once you get the cluster out, remove the **** by pressing the button on the bottom.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,878
Likes: 3,556
From: Fernandina Beach FL
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
2020 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
The headlight switch is really 3 circuits.... 4 if you count the interior lights.
Headlights share power from the ignition switch and fusebox from the fusible link. At the switch- they are protected w/ an internal circuit breaker.
Parking lights get power from the fusebox then to the parking lights via the headlight switch.
Parking light circuit at headlight switch powers a green wire which then travels to the fusebox- fused -then is a grey wire to the interior lights.
SO-
If the parking lights didn't work- then it would make sense the instrument light would not work as well if the just the parking light's fuse had blown...
So I'd look at the switch-
What about the interior lights? As they are switched through the headlight switch as well.
Richard
********************See above*****************************
Headlights share power from the ignition switch and fusebox from the fusible link. At the switch- they are protected w/ an internal circuit breaker.
Parking lights get power from the fusebox then to the parking lights via the headlight switch.
Parking light circuit at headlight switch powers a green wire which then travels to the fusebox- fused -then is a grey wire to the interior lights.
SO-
If the parking lights didn't work- then it would make sense the instrument light would not work as well if the just the parking light's fuse had blown...
So I'd look at the switch-
What about the interior lights? As they are switched through the headlight switch as well.
Richard
********************See above*****************************
Last edited by Richard454; Mar 8, 2017 at 12:18 PM. Reason: Nevermind-Willcox beat me to it.....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,431
Likes: 1,561
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
One more fuse to check.
The 'tail lamp' fuse sends power to the 'instrument fuse'.
If the instrument fuse blows only the dash lights go out.
If the tail lamp fuse blows both the tail lights and the dash lights will be out.
If the instrument fuse blows only the dash lights go out.
If the tail lamp fuse blows both the tail lights and the dash lights will be out.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 546
From: Central Texas
Tail, running, and stop lights all working. No headlights in high or low position. Fuses were good for dash lights and courtesy lights. No dash lighting. But do have courtesy lights.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 546
From: Central Texas
Originally Posted by Street Rat
A fusible link was burned. Repairing it restored power to the headlights but the dash lamps are still out.
I guess it's back under the dash to check fuses once again?
I guess it's back under the dash to check fuses once again?