2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Dash Light Problems??? Help

[rfielding]

Any and all help would be much appreciated... many times you all have bailed me out and am hoping once again the TDR members will come to my aid!



Most recently I have run into an electrical gremlin that somehow has disabled the backlighting to the dashboard gauges and my after market gauges. All were working and wihtout warning... . no lights. The gauges and idiot lights all work normally...



I have checked all the fuses in the dash and under the hood and and all are in order... even replaced any questionable ones as well.



I have already R/R the headlight switch and taken it apart, cleaned the contacts and checked the wires / connections; no burned or melted components... all appears in order.



I then removed the light switch and bought a replacement from Napa... no success... still no dash lighting.



I have searched high and low on the forums and havent found the answer on my own. And yes... the headlights, taillights, brakelights, hazards and reverse lights all work normally as well.



Any ideas or thoughts? bad ground? Anyone have any idea in the abundance of wires off the loom what color the ground wire is or the color wires that feed the dashlights? Can I run a jumper from another power source to that circuit to test it?



1999 2500, Automatic, no factory fog light in switch... just standard rotating dial with off, park and headlights and rotating knob with cargo and interior light functions... .



Any and all ideas are welcome. . thanks in advance. #@$%!

 

[rfielding]

Just an update...



Just finished removing the entire dash gauge cluster and checked the lightbulbs... appear to be ok.



I am at a total loss... ????



Any ideas, anyone?

 

[JOdell]

Sounds to me that you aren't getting power. If your dash and aftermarket lights went out it has to be something in the beginning of the circuit. I would check the dimmer switch by using a jumper wire. That could be a problem. -Jason

 

[rfielding]

Thanks... souds like a good place to star.



Any idea which color wires I should be looking at that provides power to the dimmer switch



Thanks again...

 

[SSolderitch]

youed tried a replacment switch. I would go from a known to the find the problem. What I mean, at switch take a push pin or sewing needle and push it into the wire. then check with $3 tester (ice pick probes w/light bulb and a ground clip). Must put clip on ground because switch is on hot side, see if you get 12v before switch, check after in both on & off... check color of wire, then follow it to the dash, should have 12v with swich on & 0v switch off. If that checks out, then see if the dash has a good ground. My bet you have a loose ground lug.

 

[rfielding]

Thanks all for the help...



After tracing the wires, it turned out that the lead coming from the fuse pannel from the #5 fuse was bad... turns out the lead I tapped into for the pillar guages lighting with a wiretap, cut the wire and shorted out... took days of on and off tracing to locate it... and alot of hair pulling. #@$%!



All is good now...



Thanks again.