Dashboard and Component lighting failure

[McDermut]

Recently I've been having issues with the gauge cluster lights, as well as the radio and HVAC backlighting. The pictures below are what my current situation looks like. My radio's clock, as well as gear selector, Hi-beams, turn signals, E-Brake, and other indicators will light up, but all the other lighting that should come on such as gauges do not. I've tried all possible settings with the wheel and dial of my headlight/cabin light selector and nothing has worked. I've looked at my fuses and unless I'm checking the wrong ones they aren't blown.

What possible issues could this be? It happened a couple of months ago out of the blue and they all stopped working at the same time.

Any comments are greatly appreciated!

 

[east302]

If I was going to throw a part at it, it would be a new headlight switch. It looks like just about everything goes through it.

But check fuse #9 first.

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[McDermut]

If I was going to throw a part at it, it would be a new headlight switch. It looks like just about everything goes through it.

But check fuse #9 first.

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I'll check there, thank you.

 

[iamdub]

I agree with the headlight switch. Common in these rigs. Oftentimes, a good, old-fashioned dope slap to the switch will temporarily fix it.

 

[McDermut]

If I was going to throw a part at it, it would be a new headlight switch. It looks like just about everything goes through it.

But check fuse #9 first.


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I agree with the headlight switch. Common in these rigs. Oftentimes, a good, old-fashioned dope slap to the switch will temporarily fix it.

I checked the fuses and #9 was fine, but #14 was blown, which according to the chart is for illumination. How I missed that the first time I'm not sure, but I replaced it and all the dash and control backlighting is working now. I think the headlight switch might also be causing problems, so that'll be on the next parts order.

BTW, where did you find those electrical diagrams?

 

[Tonyrodz]

I checked the fuses and #9 was fine, but #14 was blown, which according to the chart is for illumination. How I missed that the first time I'm not sure, but I replaced it and all the dash and control backlighting is working now. I think the headlight switch might also be causing problems, so that'll be on the next parts order.

BTW, where did you find those electrical diagrams?

But why did it blow initially?

 

[east302]

BTW, where did you find those electrical diagrams?

Alldatadiy.com subscription. It’s pretty much a digitized version of the factory manual. Costs about $30/year per VIN.


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[McDermut]

But why did it blow initially?

I'm not sure, I don't have any accessories or such installed, and the bulbs are stock halogens that I haven't ever messed with. The fuse may have just been old.

 

[Tonyrodz]

I'm not sure, I don't have any accessories or such installed, and the bulbs are stock halogens that I haven't ever messed with. The fuse may have just been old.

Anything is possible. Def keep an eye on it. You could have an intermittent short.

 

[Rocket Man]

I agree with the headlight switch. Common in these rigs. Oftentimes, a good, old-fashioned dope slap to the switch will temporarily fix it.

@Tonyrodz fixes shit that way on occasion!

 

[Tonyrodz]

@Tonyrodz fixes shit that way on occasion!

Gots to yo!

 

[Rocket Man]

Hoys to yo!View attachment 276188

Lol

 

[iamdub]

@Tonyrodz fixes shit that way on occasion!

So I've heard! But, "mum's the word". Don't want his PO hearing he's still slapping his "problems" around!

 

[Larryjb]

Going out on a limb here...

I noticed that the wiper switch is on the same circuit, and can get lots of use potentially wearing wires and contacts. One day run the wiper switch back and forth through the positions with the headlights (IP lgihts on) and see if the fuse blows then. Most of the other lamps aren't particularly vulnerable as far as I can see.

Other than that, think about ANY repair work that was done by you or anyone else. Something might have gotten snagged.

 

[scotto0609]

Do not ignore that headlight switch.

 

[Tonyrodz]

View attachment 276353 View attachment 276354 View attachment 276353 View attachment 276354 Do not ignore that headlight switch.

What happened?? Headlight switch caused that??

 

[scotto0609]

That’s the general theory. My son said the light switch was making funny sounds. Parked it overnite this is what we found the next morning! Amazingly the truck started up after charging battery. After a total interior change there was only 5 or 6 burnt wires, all light switch. The truck still runs today but will be parting soon due to daughter hitting a building. Truck still drove for months just no longer worth fixing.

 

[Rocket Man]

That’s the general theory. My son said the light switch was making funny sounds. Parked it overnite this is what we found the next morning! Amazingly the truck started up after charging battery. After a total interior change there was only 5 or 6 burnt wires, all light switch. The truck still runs today but will be parting soon due to daughter hitting a building. Truck still drove for months just no longer worth fixing.

I hope he learned a lesson that if an electrical part is making funny sounds better disconnect the battery until you can find out what’s going on.

 

[scotto0609]

My fault, we were both in a snowstorm in traffic coming home from 2 different directions and were both frustrated and exhausted with each other. That’s why I found it the next day,I had the switch in hand when I opened the door!

 

[Rocket Man]

My fault, we were both in a snowstorm in traffic coming home from 2 different directions and were both frustrated and exhausted with each other. That’s why I found it the next day,I had the switch in hand when I opened the door!

Oh shit.