Gauge lights quit working

[mminter1973]

My gauge lights quit working a few weeks ago. sometimes as i am driving they will magically start working but then they quit again. I am sure it is a ground problem i just have not had time to trace it down. Anyone got any pointers on where to start looking, or past experiences?

 

[RayN]

I had this exact same problem and it turned out one of the steel caps on the fuse had come loose.

Ray

 

[5280Hawk]

Mine Blink a little when i adjust the dimmer knob. Only a matter of time.

I would love to see some info here as well!

 

[All Four]

The dimmer itself was the culprit in my truck. If you can get the dash lights to work by pulling out on the dimmer knob, then it is the rheostat inside the dimmer. You can open the dimmer switch up, but it isn't really serviceable.
There are three wires coming to the dimmer: + in, + out, and ground. You can make a splice/jumper with a short piece of wire and two male connector ends. Plug the jumper into the dash side of the harness, completing the hot circuit. If your dash lights come on, then your dimmer is bad, and you can run it without the dimmer until you can find a replacement.

 

[2mbb]

The instrument lights share a fuse with the tail lights, so check to see if your tail lights are working or not. If tail lights are working, then it's probably a problem with something past the fuse such as the dimmer switch or a ground. If the tail lights don't work either, then it's probably fuse related. Grounding points for the instrument lights are located at the base of each A pillar.

 

[mike]

Mine Blink a little when i adjust the dimmer knob. Only a matter of time.

I would love to see some info here as well!

I have a spare dimmer switch from 88fj62. if you need one let me know.

 

[phishincruisin]

x2 on checking the tail lights. I have a bad ground in my wiring for my tail lights which causes this to happen on occasion, I haven't got around to fixing it. If it stops working, I can just wiggle the wiring harness in the left quarter panel and they come right back on.