Dash Lights

[k5bobbo]

I recently replaced the light bulbs that light up my instrument gauges because some had burned out, and everything worked great for about a week. Now the whole instrument cluster will not light up when I turn on my headlights, but when I go over a large bump the lights will suddenly turn on. I was wondering what everyone's diagnosis for this problem is?

Also, after putting my dash back together, my fuel gauge no longer works, what could have caused that?

 

[Dafey]

Ground some where came loose,Im haveing the same problem.
Just to lazy to crawl under there to find it

 

[dyeager535]

I'd suspect the instrument panel connector, or the copper contact on the printed circuit board. Not much else that will cause ALL the lights to go dead that I can think of.

 

[lectric80]

There is a ground that runs to the top right light socket, as you are looking at the gauge faces. It is pretty common to break that wire enough to cause this issue. Check that wire and make sure the wire is securely soldered to the connector. Make sure the other end is tight against the steel.

dyeager's suggestion of verifying the connector is tight is a good one as well, but the ground sounds more likely based on the way they are working.

 

[dyeager535]

You must be talking about must be the fiber optic wire to the glove box. It's not a ground. All gauge cluster grounding is done through the PCB/instrument panel connector.