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Topic: 78' dash lights

in Forum: C3 Electrical

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78' dash lights (1/19)
8/17/09 3:37pm

Foley
Former Member
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Vette(s):
1978 Coupe L48

Joined: 9/8/2002
Posts: 17

I have a 78 L48 with no dash lights. They just kind of went out one evening...all of them. At least I'm assuming that there is more than one light illuminating the gauges. It doesn't seem to be a fuse issue. Any suggestions?

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78' dash lights (2/19)
8/17/09 4:18pm

Iron82

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Vette(s):
1982 Collector Edition #3413

Joined: 7/24/2003
Posts: 2150

Not a mechanic but have you checked the light bulbs or the curcuit board. Others will help with this. Smile

78' dash lights (3/19)
8/17/09 6:20pm

lukesvette

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HOWELL, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.

Joined: 5/18/2004
Posts: 6812

Sounds like either a bad ground or a headlight switch. Are the headlights, tail lights, marker lights working?

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78' dash lights (4/19)
8/17/09 6:24pm

Foley
Former Member
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Vette(s):
1978 Coupe L48

Joined: 9/8/2002
Posts: 17

All lights are working except for the dash lights. Not sure what to make of it.

Thanks for your service to our country!

78' dash lights (5/19)
8/18/09 5:12am

Adams' Apple

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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas

Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20201

One simple thing to check first...is the light switch turned all the way one direction? You may have accidentally "dimmed" the dash lights...wouldn't be the first time that's happened!
If that isn't the problem, then you may have lost the ground to the cluster, or the headlight switch may have taken a doo-doo(tech term). Do the gauge lights on the center console work?

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78' dash lights (6/19)
8/18/09 5:18am

KeBo
Former Member
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Kendall Park, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1981 - 59 Beige over Cinnebar leather. Edlebrock top end, 2200 stall w/shift kit, 3:55s, Mufflex maniback exhaust, nice stereo, 16 in AREs w/BFGs

Joined: 3/9/2005
Posts: 789

I had the same prob. My headlight switch went "crispy" as my mechanic called it. I bought the catalog item part - it does not work, it does not fit! There are used or NOS units around and they are no more expensive then the crappy ones from China. It was a 10 minute fix..

78' dash lights (7/19)
8/18/09 3:02pm

Foley
Former Member
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Vette(s):
1978 Coupe L48

Joined: 9/8/2002
Posts: 17

It's not the dimmer switch. I checked that first thing. None of the instrument lights work. maybe it is a ground issue.

Kebo, did your headlights still work when you had your problem? Because my headlights work just fine. The dome light works just fine when I turn them on with the headlight knob.

78' dash lights (8/19)
8/18/09 8:02pm

Adams' Apple

[QUOTE=Foley] It doesn't seem to be a fuse issue....[/QUOTE]

Does this mean you have checked the fuses(both sides) with a voltmeter/test light? If so, and the fuses all tested good, then I'd be more inclined to think the headlight switch has taken a poopie...

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78' dash lights (9/19)
8/19/09 5:27am

Foley - Thats what I thought, It wasnt the dimmer switch.. I lost all lights on the dash. I couldnt understand why the head lamp switch needed to be changed. Low and behold a 30 sec diagnosis by my wrench out did 6 hours of diagnotics by me. As he said, We've seen a ton of these.. Unless the 78 is scematically diff then an 81, the fuse that holds the dash lights, holds other stuff too.

78' dash lights (10/19)
8/19/09 12:43pm

Foley
Former Member
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Vette(s):
1978 Coupe L48

Joined: 9/8/2002
Posts: 17

I haven't checked with a voltmeter. I suppose I should do that, eh?

Is it a big pain is the butt to put a headlight switch in?

78' dash lights (11/19)
8/20/09 5:48am

96softail

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Wallingford, CT - USA

Vette(s):
1978 Silver Anniversary L82 4-speed, close ratio 07M Paint code. Former owner painted it incorrectly. Not bad paint, but will paint it the RIGHT way down the road.

Joined: 8/17/2007
Posts: 40

Don't think it's a big deal.
Zip Corvette has a link on how to do it.
Pull the air duct out so you can get at it.
Push a button to "gently" remove the knob, disconnect the wire, remove front screw, then take out from the back.
good luck!
Tom
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/technical-articles/c3/93-corvette-headlight-switch.html

78' dash lights (12/19)
8/20/09 11:51am

Foley
Former Member
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Vette(s):
1978 Coupe L48

Joined: 9/8/2002
Posts: 17

Thanks for your help!

78' dash lights (13/19)
8/20/09 12:38pm

96softail

Your welcome.
Mine still works so one day I may be doing the same thing!!
Cry

78' dash lights (14/19)
8/20/09 7:04pm

dskopp
Limited Member
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Oak Creek, WI - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Great White Shark. Red Interior, 350/190 hp. PS, PB (SS), A/C CC, T-Tops. Served three years in Active Duty Army, then Retired Air Force after 34 years! Badger State Vettes Car Club. 175,000 Original miles!! Now own a 1998 C-5!

Joined: 5/21/2008
Posts: 1965

Foley ! Everything all better now??

Dan

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78' dash lights (15/19)
8/21/09 9:06am

Foley
Former Member
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Vette(s):
1978 Coupe L48

Joined: 9/8/2002
Posts: 17

Nope, it's not better, but it's definitely not the fuse--I figured that out last night. I guess I'll have to order the headlight switch and give that a shot.

78' dash lights (16/19)
8/26/09 9:57am

Oh, Yes I had headlights when my switch went bad....

78' dash lights (17/19)
8/26/09 5:00pm

Foley
Former Member
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Vette(s):
1978 Coupe L48

Joined: 9/8/2002
Posts: 17

Well, my headlight switch has been ordered. I'll let you guys know if that fixes the problem.

78' dash lights (18/19)
8/30/09 10:23am

Foley
Former Member
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Vette(s):
1978 Coupe L48

Joined: 9/8/2002
Posts: 17

The headlight switch did the trick! And it was only a 15 f-bomb project. Thanks for your all your advice, Guys.

78' dash lights (19/19)
8/30/09 11:10am

96softail

Excellent!
Glad your back in business for night time cruising!! Clap

Glad to help as well! Thumbs Up

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