Gauge lights not working...sometimes
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
Gauge lights not working...sometimes
I decided to pull apart the dash to fix the gauge lights. I got them to work, as I found an unplugged connection and a missing fuse in the fusebox. But they only work when the parking lights are on, not when you fully pull out the switch to activate the headlights. They then turn off again. I was thinking bad headlight switch, but the headlights do come on like they are supposed to. Only the dash lights fail to light up. Ideas??
(I think the previous owner, who failed to mention any of this, knew of the problem due to the "missing" fuse, and the dash lights were already out when I bought the car)
Thanks in Advance!
(I think the previous owner, who failed to mention any of this, knew of the problem due to the "missing" fuse, and the dash lights were already out when I bought the car)
Thanks in Advance!
Last edited by Musclecarmaniac; Dec 23, 2004 at 09:35 PM. Reason: adding year 1977
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 620
Likes: 2
From: San Antonio TX
http://iotech.no/corvette/technical/...tics/index.htm
This might get you started in the right direction.
This might get you started in the right direction.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
thanks a bunch, but I think I might need more trouble shooting suggestions.
I called the old man, (Dads are great) and he thinks it is the headlight switch and the previous owner mounted the gauge's power wire on the parking light terminal instead of the head light terminal. Any electic experts out there in Vetteland know?
Help! I want to finish tomorrow. My C3 dash and interior look like C3PO after he walked in on the Stormtroopers.
I called the old man, (Dads are great) and he thinks it is the headlight switch and the previous owner mounted the gauge's power wire on the parking light terminal instead of the head light terminal. Any electic experts out there in Vetteland know?
Help! I want to finish tomorrow. My C3 dash and interior look like C3PO after he walked in on the Stormtroopers.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by cchristo
http://iotech.no/corvette/technical/...tics/index.htm
This might get you started in the right direction.
This might get you started in the right direction.
This might help after I get it apart. Do you have it in 1977? Cause it looks different than mine. Thanks!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 10
From: Scottsboro Alabama
You say the dash lights and the parking lights both operate in the parking switch position? When you pull the switch to headlight operation the dash lights go out, but what about the parking lights, do they go out too?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,128
Likes: 3
From: Deltona (son of Deland and DAYTONA) FL
I had the same problem that turned out to be the HL switch. The rheostat portion of it goes bad sometimes.
I tested it by the following:
You can take a jumper wire from the "ign on" block in the fuse panel and try putting power to one side of the fuse socket marked "inst lights". I had a jumper with a fuse in it and a spade connector on each end. I can't remember if it was the 2 prongs on the right or left side of the instr light fuse holder that I jumped to, but with that set up, the instrument lights would come on when the ignition was on.
When my new headlamp switch arrived, I replaced it and removed the jumper. Now the dash lights work as they should.
I tested it by the following:
You can take a jumper wire from the "ign on" block in the fuse panel and try putting power to one side of the fuse socket marked "inst lights". I had a jumper with a fuse in it and a spade connector on each end. I can't remember if it was the 2 prongs on the right or left side of the instr light fuse holder that I jumped to, but with that set up, the instrument lights would come on when the ignition was on.
When my new headlamp switch arrived, I replaced it and removed the jumper. Now the dash lights work as they should.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,577
Likes: 2
From: Long Island New York
Originally Posted by isosceles
I had the same problem that turned out to be the HL switch. The rheostat portion of it goes bad sometimes.
I tested it by the following:
You can take a jumper wire from the "ign on" block in the fuse panel and try putting power to one side of the fuse socket marked "inst lights". I had a jumper with a fuse in it and a spade connector on each end. I can't remember if it was the 2 prongs on the right or left side of the instr light fuse holder that I jumped to, but with that set up, the instrument lights would come on when the ignition was on.
When my new headlamp switch arrived, I replaced it and removed the jumper. Now the dash lights work as they should.
I tested it by the following:
You can take a jumper wire from the "ign on" block in the fuse panel and try putting power to one side of the fuse socket marked "inst lights". I had a jumper with a fuse in it and a spade connector on each end. I can't remember if it was the 2 prongs on the right or left side of the instr light fuse holder that I jumped to, but with that set up, the instrument lights would come on when the ignition was on.
When my new headlamp switch arrived, I replaced it and removed the jumper. Now the dash lights work as they should.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
Thanks!
I will give it a shot the day after Xmas as it is too cold. Snowed here in Sugar Land Texas 1st time in 15 years!
Any one else want to chime in? Or is everyone in agreement that is the probable cause?
I will give it a shot the day after Xmas as it is too cold. Snowed here in Sugar Land Texas 1st time in 15 years!
Any one else want to chime in? Or is everyone in agreement that is the probable cause?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
I took the dash off to get at the switch. I decided to try to hook up the gauge wire to a different terminal and WALLAH! I now have gauge lights. Funny thing is that the HL switch looks nothing like the pics of a 77 HL switch. It looks an older fashioned type, with 4 copper colored terminals on a copper plate. I think it might even be a Ford as it looks kinda like my old 65 Stang's switch. Ecklers says this is what should be in my car:
But it was WAY more simple. Imagine a 3" long" folded copper plate with four terminals, and the switch **** itself. Sounds like the previous owner didn't want to spring for the $12.99 switch at NAPA
But it was WAY more simple. Imagine a 3" long" folded copper plate with four terminals, and the switch **** itself. Sounds like the previous owner didn't want to spring for the $12.99 switch at NAPA
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 400
Likes: 1
From: California
had same problem on my 79, still do to a point. anyways i replaced the switch and somehow got my low beams to work. then my interior lights started working and then all of a sudden it all stopped and no lights (interior or exterior) work except for the headlights. i think i have a bad ground which is causing most of my on and off problems.
