No dash lights with new fuses

  • #1

    No dash lights with new fuses

    Hope this doesn't belong in the newb section, but here it goes. As long as I've had this car, I have not had any dash lights for the gauges/pods, or the tach and such. To be sure I replaced every fuse with a brand new one, and that didn't help. Now, I do need a new headlight switch because mine is doing questionable things, and will have a new one tomorrow. However, I don't think that is it. Any ideas as to what would knock out all the dash lights? Hopefully I haven't missed something obvious.

    1986 300ZX N/A 5Speed project. Needs work, but that's the point, isn't it?
  • #2
    There are light bulbs in your dash and gauge pods and they do burn out eventually. Check them.



    1988 300ZX Turbo, Shiro Special #760
    1988 300ZX Turbo Automatic (wife's car)
    1991 Hard-body 2WD

    http://zccw.org/zccw/?page_id=1215
  • #3
    Analog or digital dash
    88SS - #300 - http://z31performance.com/showthread.php?18360
  • #4
    Headlight switch could easily be the culprit. It turns on the headlights, tail lights, side marker lights, dash lights, anything that comes on when the headlights come on. So yeah, get rid of or clean the headlight/blinker switch. A very common problem.


    A link to help you clean the switch.

    http://88hybrid.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=13202

    A couple of links to help you with the removal of the switch.

    http://xenonzcar.com/z31/Headlamps.html

    http://zhome.com/ZCMnL/84HowTo/84hlswitch.html
    Restore it, Don't crush it. They don't make them like this anymore.

    Scott
    85 Turbo, original owner, restored
    93 NA Babied


  • #5
    reddzx;n769455 wrote: There are light bulbs in your dash and gauge pods and they do burn out eventually. Check them.
    All at the same time?

    Analog dash, and I just bought the electrical assembly on the steering wheel for $30 with both switches, horn, etc. Will install and hope it fixes the problem.

    1986 300ZX N/A 5Speed project. Needs work, but that's the point, isn't it?
  • #6
    Known good headlight switch installed, still no dash or gauge pod lights. Ideas? I am considering replacing the bulbs, but it seems unlikely that all would go at once.

    1986 300ZX N/A 5Speed project. Needs work, but that's the point, isn't it?
  • #7
    Also failed to mention that the warning lights along the bottom of the dash work as well as the turn signal lights. It is all the needle gauges that are not lit for whatever reason.

    1986 300ZX N/A 5Speed project. Needs work, but that's the point, isn't it?
  • #8
    Look at the behind the dash wiring harness connecters for corrosion



    1988 300ZX Turbo, Shiro Special #760
    1988 300ZX Turbo Automatic (wife's car)
    1991 Hard-body 2WD

    http://zccw.org/zccw/?page_id=1215
  • #9
    I've come across this a few times, most of the time someone hit the dimmer switch.

    Press and hold it a few times and see if you can turn the lights back on. Also, make sure it's connected.
  • #10
    I did notice the switch when replacing the headlight switch, and hitting the button multiple times didn't help. However, I'll have to make sure its hooked up and try holding it.

    1986 300ZX N/A 5Speed project. Needs work, but that's the point, isn't it?

    Comment

    • jrs86z31
      #10.1
      jrs86z31 commented
      10-03-2021, 05:42 PM
      I now have this problem on my 1986 300zx. N/A. analog dash. Did you find answer? How do you test the dimmer switch?
      Believe it is SPDT switch,but not sure.