Dash Lights Will Not Come On!
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Dash Lights Will Not Come On!
I just purchased a 2001 Corvette and I noticed before I brought the car home that the dash lights will not light up. Is there something I'm missing. The dimmer switch is all the way up. The MPH light is lighted, and the dimmer will adjust it. But that's it. Any help would be appreciated. I have to take it back to the dealer for repair, but thought I would get some insight on the problem.
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
I just purchased a 2001 Corvette and I noticed before I brought the car home that the dash lights will not light up. Is there something I'm missing. The dimmer switch is all the way up. The MPH light is lighted, and the dimmer will adjust it. But that's it. Any help would be appreciated. I have to take it back to the dealer for repair, but thought I would get some insight on the problem.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,164
Likes: 4,172
From: Kannapolis NC
I'd check some fuses before I attempted the switch repair. If the taillights are out also, first check fuse 6 in the passenger footwell. There are a couple of other fuses that may affect it but not sure which. Also try turning the control switch off and on several times rapidly and see if you get any type of dash light flash. Also try turning on the twilight sentinel and see if you have dash lights when the headlights activate.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,835
Likes: 302
From: Columbia SC
I have a 2001 also with the exact same thing. The UV bulbs to the left and right in the IPC do not light up to illuminate the gauges. I plan to fix this in the next month or two. I don't think it is my Multifunction switch or related circuit. However, I plan to replace the Multifunction switch as I go into it to see if that fixes it since I will be there and it will also be a good PM to prevent future problems.
I think the High Voltage power supply for the UV bulbs in my car is the problem. I have bought a spare IPC so I can swap the power supply if the Multifunction switch does not do it. These power supplies do fail. Not likely both bulbs are failed.
When I do my work I will create a Thread to document what I did. I will try and make a note to myself to post an update here and a link to my Thread. If you can hold off a little while you can see what I do. I rarely drive my car at night and I have a HUD so it has not been a real concern so far.
Edit: Made the note to update you. You are also welcome to PM or email me with your phone number and I can discuss this issue with you.
I think the High Voltage power supply for the UV bulbs in my car is the problem. I have bought a spare IPC so I can swap the power supply if the Multifunction switch does not do it. These power supplies do fail. Not likely both bulbs are failed.
When I do my work I will create a Thread to document what I did. I will try and make a note to myself to post an update here and a link to my Thread. If you can hold off a little while you can see what I do. I rarely drive my car at night and I have a HUD so it has not been a real concern so far.
Edit: Made the note to update you. You are also welcome to PM or email me with your phone number and I can discuss this issue with you.
Last edited by dadaroo; Feb 22, 2014 at 11:43 AM.
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
Update
Did you ever find the problem? My 99 has the same problem, it's like the bulbs are burned out and I also have HUD so it's not a rush. I have checked and cleaned all the grounds, all the fuses are good and everything works except the dash won't light up.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
All of the gage lighting (numbers, letters, needles and lines) are lighted by UV Black Light paint. and black light UV florescent tubes The two 4" UV tubes on the outer sides of the IPC provide the black UV light make the gage faces and needles glow bright. IF, the UV system is not functioning, If you have NO Gage Face lighting the bulbs are bad or the power supply is bad..
The system consist of a 12 vdc to 700 vac inverter and two 4" black light florescent UV tubes.
You need to see if the inverter is working. Be careful with that HV.
You may be able to scrounge up the UV florescent tubes but,,,, That power supply is hens teeth. You will need a spare IPC for parts to get one.
The system consist of a 12 vdc to 700 vac inverter and two 4" black light florescent UV tubes.
You need to see if the inverter is working. Be careful with that HV.
You may be able to scrounge up the UV florescent tubes but,,,, That power supply is hens teeth. You will need a spare IPC for parts to get one.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,861
Likes: 4,664
All of the gage lighting (numbers, letters, needles and lines) are lighted by UV Black Light paint. and black light UV florescent tubes The two 4" UV tubes on the outer sides of the IPC provide the black UV light make the gage faces and needles glow bright. IF, the UV system is not functioning, If you have NO Gage Face lighting the bulbs are bad or the power supply is bad..
The system consist of a 12 vdc to 700 vac inverter and two 4" black light florescent UV tubes.
You need to see if the inverter is working. Be careful with that HV.
You may be able to scrounge up the UV florescent tubes but,,,, That power supply is hens teeth. You will need a spare IPC for parts to get one.
The system consist of a 12 vdc to 700 vac inverter and two 4" black light florescent UV tubes.
You need to see if the inverter is working. Be careful with that HV.
You may be able to scrounge up the UV florescent tubes but,,,, That power supply is hens teeth. You will need a spare IPC for parts to get one.
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