Thread: Dash/Cluster lights no longer work

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  1. #1 Dash/Cluster lights no longer work 
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    Hi all, I have browsed the forum many times, this will be my first post....

    Before I tell you my issue I have a 98 Grand Prix GT Coupe no Engine Mod's extremely upgraded stereo....

    So about a year ago I had a problem where my dash lights would intermittently not come on when the car started, I could fix this by flipping the switch over on the headlights to bypass the DRL, then after doing this I could flip the switch back and they would stay on.... One day however they stopped coming on at all.... The day the problem happened I had just shut the car off and pulled the keys out and opened the door.... The door chimes continued to ding like the keys were still in ignition even though they were not, so after searching the fuses under the hood I found that the Park/LP fuse had blown, I quickly replaced however every time I turned the keys over it would blow again, even if I did not attempt to start the car....rinse wash and repeat that until i upgraded the fuse with a slighty higher amp fuse... I have since put the issue off and grown used to driving with out dash lights at night as dangerous as that is but am ready to tackle troubleshooting this again....

    When I previously tried to find the problem I literally went thru EVERY fuse multiple times and the only one that was blowing was the one I previously mentioned, On someones suggestion I replaced the headlight switch and still no fix, at this point I am stuck, I have tried wiggling the wires behind the switch to see if there is possibly a short and nothing.... This is a tough one for me, I am good with engines, but electrical wiring inside a car is not a strong point for me..... My brake lights are fine, tail lights fine, headlights come on ok.... Just the cluster lights (speedometer, Tach, Steering wheel lights) dont work.... the light indicating gear still works but I assume its on a different circuit.....

    Please help with some input on where I should go next......

    Thanks!

    Adam
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  2. #2 Re: Dash/Cluster lights no longer work 
    Donating Users alkygto's Avatar
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    I would check the headlight switch FIRST. That sounds like where the problem started. Even though you don't manually "switch" it to turn the lights on and off it still is a switch (more like a relay and the day/night sensor and your ignition are turning it on and off). I have not changed out the headlight switch on these cars before so maybe someone else can chime in here about that. Also not a good idea to try a larger fuse to fix a short or overload, and that is what you have. the short will just find the next weakest link in the system to burn up. I had a friend a long time ago who bought a Chevelle. He went to put a stereo in it and found the whole fuse box (with the old glass buss fuses) was full of rolled up aluminium foil. Not a good fix.

    1997 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP
    1969 Pontiac GTO
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