Instrument lights-don't work

Dash lights don't work.  My park lights, interior lights, and headlights all work.  All fuses are OK, any ideas on why dash lights won't work.

This is just a silly little thing but it does happen. Did you try turning the dimmer on the headlight switch. Sometimes it gets turned down by mistake.

Yeah...it wouldn't be the first time someone has accidentally turned the dimmer switch to Off. Try that first, if you haven't already. Turn the knob counter-clockwise, until it turns the courtesy lights on, and check the instrument lights. If they work, problem solved.
If they do not work, check to see that the inst. lamp fuse is hot(not literally...just check for 12v) with the headlight switch pulled out one notch. If it is hot, then you have a wiring issue between the fusebox and the dash cluster, or most likely a bad ground under the dash.

Do any of the indicator lights work in the dash? High Beam, turn, etc?Adams' Apple2008-06-30 19:51:38

Thanks, I checked the dimmer and still nothing.   Joel, I will check the inst. lamp fuse one notch pulled out and I will let you guys know.  Joel, the high beam and turn indicators does work, just the dash lights and gauge lights don't work.

When checking for 12v on the fuses, make sure to test both ends of the glass-type ones. They can look fine if you're just looking to see if the filament is burned, but they can still be burned at the ends, where the metal caps are, and you won't be able to see that..

Just as a note, the dash lights feed from the headlight switch, but is actually a sub circuit from the parking/running lights.   It feed from the park lights to a small fuse, then back to the switch for brightness adjustment, then to the dash lights.   It is a gray wire to the dash lights.

Thanks for the info on the gray wire Kstyer, and Joel I will check the fuses on both ends and I will let you guys know the outcome.

Bad luck, my fuse tester is busted. I will let you guys know how it turns out after a purchase a new one.

I had the ame prob on my 81. It was the headlight switch. WOrd of advice, find a NOS GM part. The chinese part just does not fit nor work