Main Dash Panel Lights
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,328
Likes: 15
From: Jacksonville FL
Main Dash Panel Lights
I drove my car for the first time in a long time at night and my speedo panel back lights didnt come on when I turned my headlights on. The panel was installed by the PO and he told me it was rebuilt. Everything functions on the panel except the back lights and the other lights on my dash come on. Where do I start to look for the problem?
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,226
Likes: 9
From: Irvine Ca
The Photo Diode may have gone south, But most likely the potentiometer on the headlight switch itself is bad.
Remember you can dim your dash by twisting the headlight switch, this most likely may be where you need to start looking. Especially of the back lights are on during the day....or whenever the headlights are turned off.
Remember you can dim your dash by twisting the headlight switch, this most likely may be where you need to start looking. Especially of the back lights are on during the day....or whenever the headlights are turned off.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,328
Likes: 15
From: Jacksonville FL
Nope I dont have lights even in the day. Does the photo diode tell the dash when to brighten according to night/day and would it stop the lights from coming on at all? Would all the back light bulbs burn out simultaneously?
Thanks for your responses!
Thanks for your responses!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Florida
Um no - what probably has happend is one of the 2 bulbs (back lighting for the LCD) went out some time ago.....and yourself and the PO have been viewing the LCD with only 1 bulb illuminating......until the last one burnt out.
OK - this is more specific....there are 2 bulbs #16 & #17 (see the hyperlink below) for the LCD....change the bulbs and/or bulb sockets and see if that gets it.
Here are some general instructions and a bulb lay out:http://content.mamotorworks.com/pdf/601022.pdf
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,328
Likes: 15
From: Jacksonville FL
Hmmmm, thanks for that link. It led me to go to MamoWorks and check as my car is an '85. Apparently my car does not have seperate backlights (or not offered in Mamo's kit) at the LCD speedo cluster which confuses me even more. Are there seperate circuits feeding info to the guages to make them work without backlighting? I would hate to replace the whole cluster just for lighting. Either power is not being supplied or the ground is faulty for the lighting circuit. Check the harness connector for corrosion? Does the cluster have one ground for all functions or is there separate grounds?
My luck to have the weirdest problems. I have stumped many a forum (Vette, Jeep, Honda, etc) with strange ailments with my cars.
My luck to have the weirdest problems. I have stumped many a forum (Vette, Jeep, Honda, etc) with strange ailments with my cars.
Last edited by HlhnEast; Nov 7, 2009 at 09:05 AM. Reason: clarification
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,328
Likes: 15
From: Jacksonville FL
Found this in the Parts For Sale. Lots of good info from this site.
http://www.batee.com/corvette/dcrg/lightbulb.shtml
http://www.batee.com/corvette/dcrg/lightbulb.shtml
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Florida
Hmmmm, thanks for that link. It led me to go to MamoWorks and check as my car is an '85. Apparently my car does not have seperate backlights (or not offered in Mamo's kit) at the LCD speedo cluster which confuses me even more. Are there seperate circuits feeding info to the guages to make them work without backlighting? I would hate to replace the whole cluster just for lighting. Either power is not being supplied or the ground is faulty for the lighting circuit. Check the harness connector for corrosion? Does the cluster have one ground for all functions or is there separate grounds?
My luck to have the weirdest problems. I have stumped many a forum (Vette, Jeep, Honda, etc) with strange ailments with my cars.
My luck to have the weirdest problems. I have stumped many a forum (Vette, Jeep, Honda, etc) with strange ailments with my cars.
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,328
Likes: 15
From: Jacksonville FL
I see where the back lights are pretty expensive, probly why the Mamo kit doesnt have em in it. Its also pretty labor intensive to replace them. I guess most folks wouldnt mess with them.
My LCD lit yesterday so I am thinking now its probly a ground problem. I have new valve covers coming so while I am installing these, I will check the ground on the left side mentioned in the link I posted. Its probly corroded or loose.
Thanks for the great info from everybody!
My LCD lit yesterday so I am thinking now its probly a ground problem. I have new valve covers coming so while I am installing these, I will check the ground on the left side mentioned in the link I posted. Its probly corroded or loose.
Thanks for the great info from everybody!
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,328
Likes: 15
From: Jacksonville FL
Gotta get the da@* lights fixed, ran out of gas twice last night, once in BFE Alabama. Luckily a kind 65 yr old lady had pity and stopped. Unbelievable because I am talking middle of nowhere, deserted road, no lights or houses. She drove me back about 2 miles to a hunting camp where I got a feller to sell me 2 gallons of gas. The nearest gas station was at least 20 miles at that point. Then again on I-10 at Lake City, FL. I ended up walking about a mile on that one. I bribed a guy with $20 in gas to ride me back to my car.
It might have been Friday the 13th and bad luck to run out twice but the good Samaritans were the best luck I have had in a while. Thank the Lord there are still people with big hearts out there!
It might have been Friday the 13th and bad luck to run out twice but the good Samaritans were the best luck I have had in a while. Thank the Lord there are still people with big hearts out there!
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,226
Likes: 9
From: Irvine Ca
^^OK, listen to yourself. Batee.com is the best source for fixing what your experiencing.
The Bulbs are at Napa for ~$7 each and cheaper over the internet (~$2.50??) search it out and you see the bulbs, they've been posted here.
I thought when you posted the batee.com info, that you would have your issue solved.
Go back to Batee.com, Follow his instructions step by step and you'll be on the other side of this issue before this day ends.
He tells to get a certain size "Nut Driver", don't think that you have a socket that will work instead....go to target, they have the nut driver set for $8 or so. Then go to NAPA and buy the 4 bulbs you need. make sure you have a Radio shack soldering gun handy.
Prying the dash upward......it won't break but be careful so you don't mar it up yanking the dash cluster out.
I did mine while watching a Sunday Night Football game a few years ago. Never had an issue since.
The Bulbs are at Napa for ~$7 each and cheaper over the internet (~$2.50??) search it out and you see the bulbs, they've been posted here.
I thought when you posted the batee.com info, that you would have your issue solved.
Go back to Batee.com, Follow his instructions step by step and you'll be on the other side of this issue before this day ends.
He tells to get a certain size "Nut Driver", don't think that you have a socket that will work instead....go to target, they have the nut driver set for $8 or so. Then go to NAPA and buy the 4 bulbs you need. make sure you have a Radio shack soldering gun handy.
Prying the dash upward......it won't break but be careful so you don't mar it up yanking the dash cluster out.
I did mine while watching a Sunday Night Football game a few years ago. Never had an issue since.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,328
Likes: 15
From: Jacksonville FL
Yep, should have done it before I left. Going home today to my shop and tools. Luckily we have a NAPA there. Tomorrow the new valve covers go on and the first thing to check is the ground mentioned.
J, you hafta understand I am the worlds worst procrastinator, lol. My last comments were more beating on myself than anything else and a comment that there are still good trusting people out there willing to help. Since I am the same way most of the time, its nice to see it on the occasion I need it even if I am the cause of my misfortune.
Thanks for the boot in the a**.
J, you hafta understand I am the worlds worst procrastinator, lol. My last comments were more beating on myself than anything else and a comment that there are still good trusting people out there willing to help. Since I am the same way most of the time, its nice to see it on the occasion I need it even if I am the cause of my misfortune.
Thanks for the boot in the a**.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,226
Likes: 9
From: Irvine Ca
I hear ya' bro. My Hood has been up for a month now over a stupid Power steering hose leak. The sad thing is that I've have the new hoses installed for two weeks.....I've been to lazy to button it all back up.
Keep fighting the good fight, you'll get it done.
Keep fighting the good fight, you'll get it done.
