1985 vette. Digital dash lights are not turning on at night and I am running out of ideas where to look. What has happened so far.....


1) The dash lights have worked in the past, about 2 weeks ago what the last time I used them.


2) I turned on the headlights the other night and the dash stayed dark, I could still read the display, just very dark.


3) Checked all the fuses, (GUAGES, TAIL and L.C.D.) all were good.


4) Took the dash apart and checked the display to verify the photo cell operation and dash back lighting. In bright light the dash lights fine, cover the photo cell and the dash dims, the lights stay on but are very dim.


5) Turned the dimmer switch and heard a fuse pop. Checked and the TAIL fuse blew, it was also a 15amp fuse and should be a 10amp. Noticed the rheostat wire glow just before the fuse popped.


6) put in a 10amp fuse, checked out the switch with a DVM and everything seemed fine. Turned on the lights again, watched the rheostat wire and just as the tab touched the post to turn on the interior lights, the wire glowed, burned through and the 10amp fuse popped. BTW, all the interior lights work fine with the doors and hatch.


7) Still no change with the dash lighting. It works with the photo cell, but will not work with the light switch.


So, does anyone have any ideas on what to look for next????
THANKS in advance.

 

Well, finally found the problem. After taking most of the dash apart and following the schematics in my service manual I traced it to the main information center in the dash. I pulled that out and found the printed circuit behind the info center had split allowing the copper circuits to break free and touch, shorting things out. There is also a 10amp fuse behind that that was blown also. Now just waiting on a new printed circuit, but at least the car is drivable at night again..LOL