1973 Corvette Purchased in September. My first Corvette. Sorry for long background.

At time the gauge/instrument lights did not work. Put in new 5 amp fuse and lights worked while car in garage. Shifted car so it moved back and forth and lights continued to work. First time I drove car with instrument lights went out when went over a high driveway apron. Hoping it was a bad fuse I put in another 5-amp fuse and lights worked while car running in garage. Drove car on street several times for 5 miles each time without lights. Drove car last night and instrument lights worked. Car stalled once when I slowed down for traffic light and again I was pulling into parking spot. (Stalling not surprising as it was cold and car runs rough and stalls when no gas is applied if car running less than 10 minutes.) However, tried to start car and car was dead--NO sound when turning the key. Cursed car but after wiggling battery cable (not much wiggle—this morning tightened the battery cables but less than 1/2 turn of batty connectors) car started and drove home with all lights and instrument lights working. Got home and as I pulled in to garage car stalled. Shut off lights but the lights did not retract. Started car again and lights closed.

Today car started with no problem. However, instrument lights did not work. Checked battery and fully charged. Checked and alternator and it is fulling charging battery. Replaced 5-amp fuse and instrument lights working. Suggestions as to how to fix? Headlight switch? If a short in instrument wiring, what is best way to locate? Why would car be dead after pulling is parking spot? Thank you.

 

Definitely sounds like a short somewhere in the wiring. Can’t help with locating that, but I can tell you removing the bolt on the frame under the battery compartment, cleaning the frame to shiny metal, and reinstalling can help your no-start issue.

 

When you have no instrument lights, do other electrical items work, like the courtesy lamps?

Does turning the headlamp **** and/or wiggling it make a difference?

 

If you want to troubleshoot the gauge lighting problem, I would suggest a 1973 Chevrolet Service Manual, that includes a wiring schematic. If other lights on the same fuse are intermittent then take a look at the fuse holder and make sure that it’s holding the fuse tight and there is no corrosion. If the problem is only the gauge lights, it could a loose connection from the fuse box connector going to the gauge lights.

 

The only lights on thatfuse are the gauge lights. They either all work or they all stop working and I need to replace the fuse. Was wondering whether anyone has any good suggestions as to how to locate what is causing this short circuit. I guess I will just have to follow the gray wire that goes from the fuse box to the gauge lights (per the AIM manual) to see if it is loose anywhere or this wire is contacting ground where it should not. Just hoping that someone had an idea on best way to locate that short. the light switch seems to work properly as if turned fully it will illuminate the courtesy lights When the engine is running, and there is a good fuse for the gauge lights, the lights will dim or brighten when turning the light switch.

thanks again