I'm having an odd issue with the gauge lights on my instrument cluster. Namely, the cluster gauges will NOT light up when I turn on the headlights.

A little more investigation led to the following observations:

The instrument panel NEVER NEVER EVER illuminates IF the key is in the "ON" position. Does not matter if the engine is running or not, or if the headlights or parking lights are on. IN NO CASE will the panel light up if the key is "ON", in any possible circumstance. NEVER happens.

The instrument panel ALWAYS illuminates when the key is in the ACC position and the headlights or parking lights are on. Further, the panel also ALWAYS lights up as it should when I use the fob to unlock the doors.

This seems to be purely based on key position, as to whether the cluster lights

will operate or not.

So basically, I can drive home with headlights on but no panel lighting... then when I turn the key to shut the car off (with the headlights still on), the panel then lights up once the key leaves the "ON" position. If I restart the car and put the key back to "ON", the panel goes dark.

So far I plan to remove the gauge cluster and check for loose wires, but I'm puzzled as to why the key position seems to be the sole influence on this problem.

edit:::
Taillights are inoperative! Brake lights and blinkers work fine. No tails.

edit 2::
FIXED! I put together a write-up as well: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2032925

 

My problem was similar except I had no tailights...brake lights but no tailights when headlights were on..no dash lights when headlights were on..Problem was the headlight switch/turn signal stalk....anywhere from $130 to $200 for the part depending on who's selling it.

 

With your problem, was the operation of the instrument lights tied exclusively to key position? In my case, the key position is the SOLE factor in whether the panel lights or not.

 

A trip to the dealer is in order to look at the BCM.

 

Try rotating the key switch back and forth ever so slightly between the run and acc position WITHOUT shutting the ignition off. Have the headlights on when you do, and see if your IPC lights try to work. Could be a faulty key switch. Bill Curlee has a good write up on key switch repairs.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1951626
Any other electrical gliches happening?

 

UPDATE: Tail lights do not work either. I only have blinkers and brake lights. This is suggesting the blinker stalk might be bad, but why would this problem only depend on key position? Except... if the key is in "ACC" and i turn the headlights on, the lights work... cluster lights up... but still no tail lights.

 

It could be the headlamp switch... although I don't know if it would cause an issue with the cluster illumination. The headlamp switches do fail. Also, try re-cycling your emergency flasher button a few times for the majority of the outside lights.

 

OK, It's looking more likely than ever that it's the headlight switch / turn signal stalk. Last night, with the key in "ACC", I attempted to turn the headlights on and off, about twenty times. On 5 or 6 of those attempts, the headlights did not pop up at all. The other 15 or so times, they popped up and illuminated perfectly (as did the gauge cluster, since the key was in "ACC" and not "ON".)

So, I'm off to find the writeup on rebuilding that sucker! Should be a good project this weekend.

 

First thing to do is make sure your battery connections are clean and tight. Strange things will happen if they are not.

 

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1824393
Here it is for you!

 

Oil Pressure Sensor Relocate? Somehow I dont think that will solve my issue with the dash lights! Did you mean to paste the link I have below?

Anyway... I just had an epiphany. I thought that since my dash lights only worked when the key was in "ACC" and not "ON", that my ignition switch was to blame. Why else would key position matter? If I had a bad headlight switch, why would it still work or not work based on key position? WELLL... I just realized that when the key is in "ACC", the lights are going to be on ANYWAY. No matter what I select with the headlight switch. They are not on because I turned them on; they're on because of key position. A bad headlight switch has no effect on that! Damn I'm good! I bet my ignition switch is perfectly fine.

Headlight switch is coming out tomorrow for reconditioning. As per this thread...

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1826359

thanks for all the replies!

 

UPDATE! Problem fixed!

I put together a writeup with lots of pictures on removing this headlight switch, since the only procedure I found was straight text.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2032925

 

Excellent write-up. Doesn't look too bad with a little patience. Yea, that was the link I meant to paste, I have too many bookmarks! Are you sure your oil pressure didn't have anything ot do with it? haha!

 

I had the same problem, it was the switch in the turn signal stem. I found one from a wrecked car ($40.00) and it fixed it. Lights in dash worked fine until headlights were turned on and then they would go out.
Once in awhile they'd work OK, but the problem just got worse until I replaced the stem.

Just replace the entire Turn signal stem, be sure not to pay for a new one from the dealer if you have a choice, I think they're over $200.