Home page
  Active Threads   Forum Search   Top Posters List   Private Messenger   Vette Registry Email System   Corvette Quiz
  Members Vettes & Pictures   Member Stories   Member Stats   Real Time Member Map   Member Search   Lifetime Member List   Member Calendar Entry Form   Who's Online
  Vette Registry Data   Corvette Statistics   Corvette Tips & Tricks   Corvette How-Tos   Corvette Club Directory   Corvette Events Calendar   Corvette Mechanic Directory   Corvette VIN Decoder   Save the Wave   Corvette Emblem History   C3 Corvette Birthday Calculator   C3 Corvette Build Dates & Trim Tag Codes   1953-1982 Corvette Parts & Illustration Catalog
  Corvette Parts Auctions on eBay   Corvette Books   Vette Registry In-Stock Apparel & Accessories   Vette Registry Member Name Badges   Vette Registry Custom Apparel & Accessories @ Zazzle   Vette Registry Window Stickers   Vette Registry Member Calendars   Shop Amazon.com
  Our History   Advertise with Us   Sponsor List   Link to Us   Compare Levels   Member Agreement   Terms of Service   Privacy Policy   Contact Us
☰

78' dash lights

Forum: C3 Electrical, Body and Interior

19 Messages
Page 1 of 2
Share:
Sponsored Content
Don't Miss Out!
Join us for our 2026 Vette Registry Member Gathering! Click for full details.

Already a Member?

Welcome back! Access your account.

Sign In

Not yet a Member?

Join our community! Registration is free.

Join Free

78' dash lights

Posted: 8/17/09 3:37pmMessage 1 of 19
F
Foley
Former Member
Send PM
Joined: 9/8/2002
Posts: 17
Vette(s): 1978 Coupe L48
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? 
Be the first to like this post
Sign In to Like this post
SPONSOR AD:: (Our Sponsors help support Vette Registry)

78' dash lights

Posted: 8/17/09 4:18pmMessage 2 of 19
I
Iron82
Lifetime Member
Send PM
Joined: 7/24/2003
Posts: 2155
Vette(s): 1982 Collector Edition #3413

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

Be the first to like this post
Sign In to Like this post

78' dash lights

Posted: 8/17/09 6:20pmMessage 3 of 19
Profile Pic
lukesvette
Lifetime Member
Send PM
HOWELL, NJ - USA
Joined: 5/18/2004
Posts: 6812
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.
Sounds like either a bad ground or a headlight switch. Are the headlights, tail lights, marker lights working?

LukesVette Homepage
Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom
101st Airborne(AirAssault!)
God Bless America
Support Our Troops


     

Be the first to like this post
Sign In to Like this post

78' dash lights

Posted: 8/17/09 6:24pmMessage 4 of 19
F
Foley
Former Member
Send PM
Joined: 9/8/2002
Posts: 17
Vette(s): 1978 Coupe L48

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

Thanks for your service to our country!
Be the first to like this post
Sign In to Like this post

78' dash lights

Posted: 8/18/09 5:12amMessage 5 of 19
Profile Pic
Adams' Apple
Lifetime Member
Moderator
Send PM
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 22720
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
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?

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Be the first to like this post
Sign In to Like this post

78' dash lights

Posted: 8/18/09 5:18amMessage 6 of 19
K
KeBo
Free Member
Send PM
Kendall Park, NJ - USA
Joined: 3/9/2005
Posts: 789
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
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..
Be the first to like this post
Sign In to Like this post

78' dash lights

Posted: 8/18/09 3:02pmMessage 7 of 19
F
Foley
Former Member
Send PM
Joined: 9/8/2002
Posts: 17
Vette(s): 1978 Coupe L48

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. 
Be the first to like this post
Sign In to Like this post

78' dash lights

Posted: 8/18/09 8:02pmMessage 8 of 19
Profile Pic
Adams' Apple
Lifetime Member
Moderator
Send PM
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 22720
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
[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...

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Be the first to like this post
Sign In to Like this post

78' dash lights

Posted: 8/19/09 5:27amMessage 9 of 19
K
KeBo
Free Member
Send PM
Kendall Park, NJ - USA
Joined: 3/9/2005
Posts: 789
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
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.   
Be the first to like this post
Sign In to Like this post

78' dash lights

Posted: 8/19/09 12:43pmMessage 10 of 19
F
Foley
Former Member
Send PM
Joined: 9/8/2002
Posts: 17
Vette(s): 1978 Coupe L48
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? 
Be the first to like this post
Sign In to Like this post
Share:

in Forum: C3 Electrical, Body and Interior


Sponsored Content