Ok I have a 1974 vette and the lights in the dash board do not work but the headlights work. Is there any chance that the problem with the lights in the dash could be the headlight switch and if it is where can I get one.
thanx

 

Yes its possible but you should check the fuse first.You can get a headlight switch at NAPA or Ecklers.

 

ok thanx and I have already checked the fuse and it was good

 

OK now that you know the fuse itself is good you need to find out if the fuse is being fed !!! The inst. fuse (aprox. 4 amps) is fed by the BY the headlight switch.So if it is being fed voltage-then the headlight switch has done its job meaning your problem is not in the headlight switch.The switch is not cheap and its a pain to replace.Lets check it--if you have a 12volt test light(and you should with a vette)ground the alligator end--turn on the parking lights or the headlights--take the probe end and touch it to the inst. fuse -either side-now rotate the headlight **** dimmer-the test light should go bright and dim-if this happens then the headlight switch is not your problem.If the test light does not light then chances are the headlight switch is bad.The final check I would make to be sure the switch is bad would be to probe the 16Dark Greenwire coming out of the switch-it feeds the 4 amp fuse.If you only have a muti meter use it like the test light but ground the black lead and use the red to probe the fuse.

 

RogerO, that was a good way to test the switch, thanks,PG

 

I am having a similar problem on a 79 vette, But when I turn the headlights on, the dash lights and the instrument panel lights go on but start to pulse and then blows the fuse I wonder if this may be a bad switch or something else.. Anyone have any idea's

Thanks[/align]

 

If your blowing the 6 amp inst. lamp fuse your problem is beyond the headlight switch.Your problem is on the load side of the fuse-that would be all the little lights and any shorts to ground.Lots of these cars have had the radios replaced.When they take the center cluster out there is a plug on the back of it with around 12 wires.This plug goes into the printed circuit to connect to all the lights and gauges in the cluster.Its real easy to cross some of the very thin pieces of the printed circuit.I would start out by removing this plug and checking this.When you have this plug out put another fuse in and see if it still blows.If it doesnt blow then your problem is at the plug or in the cluster.If it does blow again then move onto the other lights on that fuse.Look for 20 gage Gray wires to be pinched.There is a Gray with black tracer also going to AC heater light.Make sure all your bulbs are the correct size.I have been running into bulbs that draw a little more and if you add them all up they go over the fuse limit.