hello everyone,

I just got my 99 midnight blue auto coupe recently. I was going to take the car out for the first time at night. when I open the door, the entire instrument panel lights up. I turn on the ignition, motor runs, then turn on the lights, the head lights come on but the instrument panel is completely dark. I do some research and find out that there is a round **** that dims or brightens the instrument panel. I try this out but still, the instrument panel is dark. When that dimmer **** is turned past maximum, the courtesy lights come on but the instrument panel remains dark

I’ve also tried this: after opening the door and with the intrument panel still lighted, I turn on my headlights – the instrument panel stays lighted. but the moment the ignition key reaches the "on" position, the instrument panel lights turn off and when the engine is started, the instrument panel stays off.

Meanwhile, the DIC still works and the HUD is also working even though the instrument panel (which includes the gauge cluster and the heater & radio controls) are dark.

Here’s what I’ve done so far: I’ve checked ALL the mini-fuses in the instrument panel fuse block and they're all good. I’ve tried disconnecting the battery for 10 minutes but to no avail. I don't know how to check the micro relays though, like #43 & 44 (automatic lamp control parking & headlamps). my question is, can micro relays (the larger boxy looking things - not the smaller aluminum looking ones) be pulled off the fuse box and if so, how can they be tested to see if they're working? I’m trying to avoid a trip to the dealer as much as possible but that may be my last resort though.

thanks … eagle01

 

Make sure nothing is blocking the photo eye on the right side button panel.

 

I have had this problem and it was the light switch assembly on the steering column that was bad. Seems strange, but all lighting functions go through this switch. I have changed it out myself and you can do it also if you are handy. Look for a deal from GM Parts Direct or one of the vendors on this forum. If you deside to change it out yourself, email me for some instructions, its a little tricky. In my case, I had low beams, but no high beams along with the dark dash cluster.
Shirl
SDRE

 

rpo z06 - nothing's blocking the photo eye

mreracer - appreciate it if you could go ahead and email me those instructions. that way i would know what's involved. does the control stalk come as a single unit? how much did you have to pay for one? there's no substitute for experience and i hope i can benefit from yours. you can email me at:webspeedc5@sbcglobal.net

p.s. both by low beam and high beam work but
my cruise doesn't

thanks to both of you for responding

eagle01

 

o.k., did some research on the turn signal multifunction lever and saw a picture of it. Also got pricing. Monster sells it for 179.95, Rock Auto for 137.79 and GM Parts Direct for 116.33. I knew it wasn't gonna be cheap. You can only hope that if you do buy this part, that it's the cure to the problem! (eagle01)

 

And it ain't no fun, but it wasn't really hard...just hot! The toughest part was the torx head next to the steering column. The best pics and instructions I've found were on 97vette.com. He has a lot of good info with step by step pictures. My local dealer wanted $240.00 for the Multiswitch...I got mine from GMPartsdirect.com for $131.00 and my labor was FREE! Plus, I got to snoop around under the dash a little. The satisfaction of having my Dash lights and Taillights work again and able to drive at night....

Ha ha, I just re-read your post...the first night! Mine didn't crap out until about a week after I got mine! My turn signals WENT INTERMITTENT the first day I had mine! I bought that (hazard switch) from GMPartsDirect.com too...but that's a lot more work than the Multiswitch!!!

 

Shirl (mreracer),

last night i delved right smack straight into trying to install the mf lever. of course that means removing the existing one which means unlocking the mystery of the bezels. with much persuasion, i finally was able to remove the knee bolster out of the way. thankfully, nothing broke. removing the plastic cover surrounding the steering wheel was quite a challenge. taking off the end piece that holds the two halfs together was a bear! i had to crawl under the steering wheel (not that us car guys haven't done this before) and with flashlight at hand see what i was up against. when i saw how it was snapped into place, i took a small flat screw driver and wedged it between the lock tabs and the openings and got it out that way (did you see that small screw with a funny looking head that holds down the top cover?) amazing.

removing the foam knee bolsters posed no difficulty nor did the mf lever itself. so after i disconnected the cables, it was time to put in the new replacement part. this too was simple enough. without installing the other pieces yet, i reconnected the positive battery cable and got ready to test it to see if this piece fixed my problem.

when i opened the driver's side door, it seemed that the way things lighted up inside was a little different than before. but then again, i wasn't really sure. put the key in the ignition, turned it on the on position and turned on the lights.

VOILA! the instrument panel lights are in full glory! problem fixed! so, go ahead and congratulate me. i'm now a multifunction lever install graduate.
tonight, i went cruzing around the neighborhood, just enjoying my new found lighted instrument panel. nice.

THANK YOU MUCH Shirl for your right on tips. this is the true spirit of our corvette community. corvette guys helping out corvette guys. and this is where the forum is so helpful. so i wonder how much i just saved if i had otherwise taken it to the dealer? a bundle for sure.

take care and i appreciate all your help. hope i could return the favor someday.

Ed
99 midnight blue auto coupe with light tan interior