no dash lights,86 k10 silverado,4 speed/bulldog,4x4.350

[maxx1818]

okay i have no dash lights...as far as the blinker indicators for the turn signals they work and i have a dome light but.when i turn on the headlights i have no dash lighting.the reverse lights do not work but its the switch on the trans,ive got it ordered,and i have one side marker light out and a high beam out.could any of this exterior lighting be part of the issue?all other exerior lighting works as well with the exception of the above mentioned..thanks in advance for reading and any help would be greatly appreciated

[bake74]

      In our tech section you can find the wiring diagrams for your truck.  Look here, I looked but could not see where the instrument cluster is shown like in the 73-76 and 77-80 have the actual cluster with all the lights and gauges that you can trace.
     I have never had a 81-87 Chevy truck, so maybe by looking and comparing to yours you can physically compare.  I am sure someone else will chime in when they have a chance.

[bd]

Have you tried rotating the dash lamp dimmer?  Did you check the 5-amp INST LPS fuse?

If it's not that simple, read Diagnosing dash lights that don't work.

[maxx1818]

thanks for the link,im going to try this troubleshooter as soon as i can.im making another trip on the mountain to try it later next week ill keep you guys posted,oh and yes i tried the dimmer.

[roundhouse]

The dash warning lights work?
Brake.  Seat belts etc?

The lights that come on with the parking and headlights so you can see the speedo at night have their own fuse

In mine I think the turn signals also share that fuse

[maxx1818]

No,the dash illumination doesnt,my flasher indicators do..tried the dimmers switch,still no dice,i do in fact have a high beam out im getting the parts to fix the head light,backup switch and sending unit.next week.thas what i was wandering that if i have a headlight and one parklight outvif it would have anything to do with the dash..ive got a nest of wasps to clear out and ill be able to better check the fuses

[roundhouse]

Check the wiring diagram

I think he power for the dash illumination comes from the headlight switch and runs thru the rheostat to a fuse and to the dash lights

Check for power with your test light on both ends of the fuse    Touching it to the fuse itself and also to the fuse holder clamp that it snaps into

On a lot of older cars a coating will form on the spring clamps and prevent the electricity from passing thru

Also you cant tell if the lights are working during the daytime unless you pull a bulb     Easiest is from the wiper switch or headlight switch

[roundhouse]

Also sometimes the rheostat in the headlight switch will get a dead spot. But usually if you rotate it back and forth a few times It will start working

[maxx1818]

update,the dash lights are working so all my interior lighting work except for a couple of blown dash lights,plan on going led on them.now to track down my back up light gremlin,someone in the past had hacked into the wiring under the bumper so going to get into that next if that dont fix then im getting a new back up light sensor.

[Irish_Alley]

WHAT FIXED IT?

[maxx1818]

Srry,the dash lights came back after i removed the cheap aftermarket tape player,they are still real dim tho,so im going to upgrade to l.e.ds,

[maxx1818]

update..reverse lights fixed...the plug wasnt making good contact with the sensor.oh and in doing some digging in my dash i found a toggle switch,a harness plugged into it,doesnt look hacked at all compared to the rest of the wiring,also a factory location that i never noticed before for the toggle,is this for fog lights?

[bake74]

update..reverse lights fixed...the plug wasnt making good contact with the sensor.oh and in doing some digging in my dash i found a toggle switch,a harness plugged into it,doesnt look hacked at all compared to the rest of the wiring,also a factory location that i never noticed before for the toggle,is this for fog lights?

      Can you post a pic, a toggle does not sound factory, but could be.

[maxx1818]

sure can ill get a pic up tomorrow.

[roundhouse]

Maybe the gas tank switch.