1/2 of the dash is dark..

[DZink24]

this morning when i turned on the headlights, i noticed that the heater controls are dark. all other lights work, speedo, tach, radio, ect. . did i blow a fuse? not sure if it matters or not, but while unplugging the heater cord, i noticed a spark from the prongs on the male end of the plug, although that is not uncommon, it always seems to do that. any ideas?

 

[SNGLESHOT]

Zink,
Not sure about the issue with your panel control lights but I am thinking there might be one or two blown blubs there? About the spark; I use a block heater also. . The spark is because the heating element is constantly drawing current at full capacity right up to the point where you pull the plug apart. As you mentioned... It is a common and naturally occurring event. Voltage potential has a pressure gradient similar to water pressure and moist air (cool or dry) will easily conduct a spark. Unplug your extension from the wall socket first if that makes you feel better and your hands wont be proximal to the sparking.