When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I am looking for help. I've solved every major issue with my 01 other than the cluster lights. When I first got the car the cluster lights were dim and HVAC lights were mostly out. Had HVAC rebuilt and all is good there. One night I noticed that my dash lights were out but the DIC and everything else was fine. The light s being out was accompanied by an obnoxious "buzzing" coming from under the dash. One of the other issues is a non existent light/key chime....just a strange clunking sound. In addition I noticed that when I clicked my on my parking lights the headlights would pop up and not illuminate but would illuminate if I clicked them on. This buzzing is always there, lights on or not. I have cleaned the grounds under the hood, which were pretty clean to start with. The HUD works fine,too. If you look in pic you can see the headlights are up and fog/running lights are on in the parking light mode.
Last edited by dchildress; Apr 5, 2019 at 11:36 AM.
By your description, this looks like multiple issues.
From your picture, it seems you are also missing the DIC buttons lights. Since you have lights on the HUD buttons, it might be that the little lightbulbs for the DIC buttons are blown (3 bulbs, 6 buttons: there is 1 bulb every 2 buttons). You mentioned that at the beginning they were dim, so it could be that only 1 was good and it finally went belly up.
As for the IPC lights, that comes from 2 black light tubes at the sides of the cluster (1 per side). They require high voltage and there's a special power supply just for that, attached to the back of the IPC. The buzzing sound you are hearing might be a symptom of failure from the high voltage power supply.
The IPC has several connectors, it could also be that one of them is not fully seated.
The issue with the parking lights and the headlight doors might be a faulty multi function switch (MFS). It is a known point of failure.
Thank you for replying. I think the DIC control buttons work but will check tonight. I know the little down lights in the mirror are not working. Is there a light around the ignition switch? I can never find that thing in the dark either. I am the type of person that if I am going to pull the cluster all the lights and power supplies will be replaced and all the grounds & connectors will be cleaned. Are those light tubes and power supplies still available?
...I think the DIC control buttons work but will check tonight... ...Are those light tubes and power supplies still available?
I didn't mean that the DIC buttons were not working, what I meant was that they were not lit in your picture and that probably the 3 little lightbulbs behind the buttons were blown.
Regarding the black light tubes and high voltage power supply, try contacting Marc (VettNuts) here in the forum or email him (marc@vettenuts.net), but I would suggest to remove and inspect the IPC first.
To remove the cluster you can follow the Vette Essentialsinstallation tutorial for their aluminum gauge bezels.
I will bet you also have no tail lights when the headlights are on.
My issue was: headlights on, no dash or tail lights. headlights off and dash and tail lights work. It was deeply disturbing as I had just finished fixing the headlight motors and had a short drive at dusk/early evening. I chose headlights on, not knowing that the taillights were out (found out after I got home).
I vote for multi-function switch (black stuff on the headlight contacts). There's some good threads here somewhere, but my brain is shutting down now.
All lights on the car work as they should except the little down lights and the dash cluster. The DIC control button lights all work but cannot be seen in the pictures. I think I will start with a new multi function switch then a cluster rebuild. Found a company to do the cluster rebuild for $435.
By your description, this looks like multiple issues.
From your picture, it seems you are also missing the DIC buttons lights. Since you have lights on the HUD buttons, it might be that the little lightbulbs for the DIC buttons are blown (3 bulbs, 6 buttons: there is 1 bulb every 2 buttons). You mentioned that at the beginning they were dim, so it could be that only 1 was good and it finally went belly up.
As for the IPC lights, that comes from 2 black light tubes at the sides of the cluster (1 per side). They require high voltage and there's a special power supply just for that, attached to the back of the IPC. The buzzing sound you are hearing might be a symptom of failure from the high voltage power supply.
The IPC has several connectors, it could also be that one of them is not fully seated.
The issue with the parking lights and the headlight doors might be a faulty multi function switch (MFS). It is a known point of failure.
To GCG
I have a similar problem with my 99. - No gauge lights at night... But all dash indicator lights work , blinkers, flashers, tail lights, parks, marker lights, headlights, interior, glove box, hud, HVAV, radio, etc. ... and on the dash , the "mph" and DIC light up, ... and the dimmer switch brightens and dims everything that is lit... But no gauge lights.
When I bought the car and drove it home (1500 miles)... I just assumed it must be a fuse. But on 2 separate occasions I saw the dash lights flash on and off for one second (literally) ... and a 3rd time they came on for about 8 seconds - I was delighted to see the soft blue hue of the guages... But then went out again - and I have never seen them since.
You mentioned the 2 black-light tubes... and the connections. I am about to take the cluster out tonight. But before I do... - is there anything you recommend I try before I go to all that work?
- I read a Bill Curlee post saying to check the "light sensor" connection" - that monitors the daylight? Where is that on the dash?
- Also - once I take the cluster out - is there a way to bench test the black-light bulbs? ... by supplying power through a 9 volt battery?
Thank you in advance for your expertise Rocknrock
PS - the only other thing worth mentioning is that my blinkers are super fast. I read that usually means a bulb is out, but they are all working - just fast. PS2 - Thank you for the vetteesentials link to removing the cluster - that will be a huge help
I have the exact problem as dchildress. Where you able to figure out the issue?
I have disassembled the multifunction switch (blinker stalk) and manipulated the respective contacts to attempt to get the gauge lights to illuminate with no luck.
I also removed the gauge cluster thinking the light bulbs were blown but a majority of those are still good as well.
One last problem! No cluster lights
