79 GMC 4WD No Dash Lights!

[RShaips]

I recently bought a very clean 1979 GMC 1/2 Ton 4WD Short Step. The dash lights will not work, I have the dash off and there is no power going to the dash on the master plug. I have headlights, tailights, interior lights just no dash lights. The ground is good and everything looks right. Truck only has 70,000 original miles. Any ideas? Thanks

[Albatrossian]

Originally Posted by RShaips

I recently bought a very clean 1979 GMC 1/2 Ton 4WD Short Step. The dash lights will not work, I have the dash off and there is no power going to the dash on the master plug. I have headlights, tailights, interior lights just no dash lights. The ground is good and everything looks right. Truck only has 70,000 original miles. Any ideas? Thanks

Could be the reostat on the headlight switch.. I'd check the wires going into the headlight switch plug.

[Walts_restoration]

check the fuse, did the same thing on my 77. removed the dash played with the headlight switch, blew a fuse lolol. Just replace it, hard to tell if a glass fuse is good, or use a test light if you have one.

[Prong]

How do the cluster bulbs look? Also, you might pull them out and pull the copper contacts out to create more tension so they have a firmer bite on that printed circuit.

[RShaips]

Everything looks great, The headlight switch is what I think it must be, when I turn it on and check the wires for power nothing new lights up, only the ones that have constant power light up. So I guess I need a new switch unless there is a way to fix mine? Thanks

[andresco50]

The + cable is gray the switch send + to all the bulbs when you turn on the lights

[Walts_restoration]

theres a fuse just for the dash lights, trust me i did the same thing in my 77 and had every light but dash lights. Have you checked the fuse? im just trying to get you to check it before you get too deep into something, replace the fuse if you dont know how to test it, saves the hassle of tearing everything apart.

[RShaips]

All the fuses are good. Thanks

[79gmcsierragrande]

On my 79 the dimmer is the problem. If rotate the dimmer switch back and forth the lights go on and off. Eventual they will not work at all, I’m going to replace the light switch but I’m still figuring out what I’m going to do with the dash.

[RShaips]

Replaced the light switch and still nothing. The fuse and everything else looks good any ideas?

[f.monroe]

Check the fuse for the tail lights and or the brake lights . I cant remember which one . Better yet , turn on the lights and see if the tail lights are working and check the brake lights also .
Frank

[RShaips]

Every one of my fuses and lights are good. I am not getting power to any of the dash lights and cannot find out why. Any one know which wire that feeds the gauge cluster is for the dash lights? I may try to use a different power source to get them to light up. Thanks

[blink32]

Sounds like you need to start at the fuse block and work your way out. I went through this and there isn't anything between the headlight switch and the cluster except wires. Did you volt out or test light the plug at the back of the cluster? Do the same with the headlight switch? When you pull the knob out on the light switch you should get at-least one new wire lighting up.