1977 Corvette Dash Lighting
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 221
Likes: 1
From: Sylmar CA
1977 Corvette Dash Lighting
The dash lights in my 1977 corvette all just died on me one night. Driving and all lights turn off in the dash and gauges. The exterior lights are working perfectly including headlights(not high beams), turn signals, emergency flashers, brake light, reverse light, everything, even in the dash only the turn signals light works. And the "Brake" light which I haven't fixed because my hand brake isn't connected yet. Does anyone have any idea why my interior lights died? just in the dash and gauges area so I can keep an eye on my temp and speed. And yeah I'm only 19 and fairly new to everything in my car. I ordered a repair manual but its in shipping and taking a while. Any help please?
Racer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 318
Likes: 3
From: NP Nebraska
There is a very fragile circuit board that runs the dash lights. If a fuse is not your problem I would take a look at this part to be sure that it intact. I have the exact same problem on my '80 and will eventually be replacing this part (I already know it is bad but haven't gotten to the dash restoration yet).
http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....Z5Z5Z50000050G PS - Wilcox has it for about half this price through eBay - I think this still directly supports our sponsors.
http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....Z5Z5Z50000050G PS - Wilcox has it for about half this price through eBay - I think this still directly supports our sponsors.
Last edited by myko; Dec 6, 2011 at 08:45 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 221
Likes: 1
From: Sylmar CA
Could it still be these suggestions you guys have given me if the lights occasionally turn on when driving at night? Sometimes the lights will turn on as I'm driving (with light switch on) but more often they are just unresponsive and turned off. Could it still be that circuit board? or is it more likely a fuse(which i have no idea where its at) or a bad ground?
Racer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
From: Northern New Jersey
The only printed circuit board that I know of on a 77 is for the electronic tach. Does this board have anything to do with lighting? An intermitent problem could be the light switch or a short in the cluster wiring.
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Racer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
From: Northern New Jersey
You would need to replace it but it would suck if it wasn't the problem. Maybe someone knows which wire on the switch is for the dash lights, then you could pull it off and apply 12 volts to see if they work by bypassing the switch.
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
The 1977 cars used a different timer than the 1978-1982 cars. The 78-82 cars have this time located behind the glove box on the outer edge. On 1977 the delay timer was right behind the speedo and tach and not easy to get to. If I remember correctly the terminals that connect to the timer can be un-plugged and plugged in to each other to by-pass this timer.
The issue though sounds like a loose wire, bad headlamp switch, bad connector at the headlamp switch to me.
The issue though sounds like a loose wire, bad headlamp switch, bad connector at the headlamp switch to me.
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Dec 6, 2011 at 09:12 PM.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 288
Likes: 1
From: Maple Ridge British Columbia
Yes, I just did this to my delay timer on my 77. Jumper the two white wires in the plug that attaches to the silver delay timer and it will bypass the delay function. So the interior lights will come on when you open the door and turn off when you close it.
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
good to go.... for today, tomorrow I may forget this again. 
