dash lights

[TX82FIAT]

All dash lights stopped when i re-installed the center radio console. No blown fuse. All other electricals work, Think i must have a loose connection that was pushed on by the radio.

So, a small coolant leak from valve failure led to a new, valve, new heater core, POR15 floors and new insulation and carpet. All back together and no interior lights. I'll trace the circuit and se if it a gound or wire or something. Have a wiring diagram. Thoughts,

[spider2081]

make sure the dimmer is plugged in. Also if you have voltage at the dimmer but none out you could have a short on one of the panel lights. The dimer has an internal fuse link that blows before the fuse in the fuse panel if there is a shorted light wire.

[srwilson]

That' gets my bet; dimmer was unplugged by the installation of the radio bezel.

[TX82FIAT]

Dimmer is not unplugged, A twist to the story that i was thinking of based on some past experience with the tempermental hazzard switch. Looking over Brad Artigue color coded wiring diagram to spot connection points, grounds and other possible fail points i noticed that the white/red panel light wire that runs through the rheostat starts at one of the hazzard switch prongs.

When i get home tonight I'm going to unplug the hazzard switch and turn on the interior lights to see what happens. Why.... Because retracing my steps is providing a possible clue.

I had the car parked in the driveway on and angle to burp the cooling system and get that stuborn air out of the new heater core. Success!! The center console was not reassembled. The interior lights worked like a charm without the hazzard switch in place. When I re-assembed the console I noticed that blinkers were not working. in haste i installed the hazzard switch with one prong to the right. The hazzard switch has one blank prong so dummies know to install/orient it correctly. I did not do it right. Seeing how I ran current through an improperly installed hazzard, I wonder if i damaged the fickle switch. I did catch the issue and correct and then noticed the interior lights were out but all other functions, hazzard, turn signals now work. There is a small square that is not labled on the diagram in the hazzard switch. Is that a resistor that I ruined.

If I unplug the hazzard and the interior lights work then i damaged the hazzard switch by installing it incorrecly. I'll let you know in the AM.

[TX82FIAT]

Nope, plugged in the backup hazzard and no dice. I'm going to have have to do a voltage test to see if I have current into the reostat. Traced the wires and saw no breaks or shorts. No sign of a blown fuse.

[TX82FIAT]

Jumped the reostat with a fused test wire and we have success. Now the question is buy a new reostat or just leave it bypassed with full voltage.

[srwilson]

Is there a noticeable brightness change with the bypass?

[spider2081]

If you carefully open the rheostat you will see the open fuseable link. It is a single strand of about #28 wire. You could replace it with a pico fuse or a similar piece of wire. It is an easy repair.

[TX82FIAT]

Yes, the dash lights are a little brighter. In fact, I just did a 15 minute test drive and the gauges seem to have fogged a little. May be a liitle too much juice? I'm going to run it for a while and see how it is. Don't drive at night that often but like the idea of the brighter gauges.