Dash/Tail/Park Lights Not Functioning Properly
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,522
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From: Townsend, MT
Dash/Tail/Park Lights Not Functioning Properly
On my '90, the tail, park, and dash lights aren't working correctly. When the headlight switch is pulled to the first position, nothing happens. When pulled all the way out, the headlights illuminate - nothing else.
But, if the switch is held between the two positions, a click is heard under the hood and the tail, park, and dash lights illuminate and work perfectly.
I tried a new FoMoCo headlight switch to no avail. All the fuses are good.
Suggestions?
But, if the switch is held between the two positions, a click is heard under the hood and the tail, park, and dash lights illuminate and work perfectly.
I tried a new FoMoCo headlight switch to no avail. All the fuses are good.
Suggestions?
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 282
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sorry for the excitement but, I'M HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. Which kind of sucks because I was going to try a new switch tomorrow, all my fuses are also good, same click in intermediate positions. With just headlights.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 148
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From: Holland, VA
The first thing I would do is clean and re-tighten the battery grounds. Make sure the battery terminal connections are clean and tight. The next step is tedious...pull one fuse at a time and see if any single circuit has an issue. If it doesn't change the problem then replace the fuse and move to the next. I suspect a tail light or headlight socket is going to ground. You can clean and inspect them first if you choose...buy a tube of dielectric grease and use it on all the connections to prevent corrosion/high resistance connections in the future.
My opinion. Good luck.
My opinion. Good luck.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,739
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From: Western Mass
What shape was the wiring harness when you swapped the switch?
The trucks are known for overheating the switch causing it to fail, and also to melt the plastic on the wiring harness connector.
You may have gotten a bad switch if the new one is doing the same as the old one, maybe return it and try another new one? But definitely check all the grounds as well!
The trucks are known for overheating the switch causing it to fail, and also to melt the plastic on the wiring harness connector.
You may have gotten a bad switch if the new one is doing the same as the old one, maybe return it and try another new one? But definitely check all the grounds as well!
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Townsend, MT
Luckily, mine was an easy fix. I pulled all of the the fuses and closely inspected them again. They all looked good. Grabbing at straws, I took the test light and tested each fuse with it. The instrument lighting fuse was bad. It still looks good though.
Somehow the dash/tail/park light circuit was being back-fed by the headlight circuit when the switch was held in just the right spot.
Somehow the dash/tail/park light circuit was being back-fed by the headlight circuit when the switch was held in just the right spot.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 282
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I tested all the fuses with a tester the first time, well that sucks I was looking for an easy fix
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,739
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From: Western Mass
What do you mean by this? The positives at what socket? If you're testing at one of the lights, the positive will ground out through the through the other bulbs in the circuit.
Did you try a new switch? While replacing it, look at the connector for the switch harness and check if its melted or something is shorting out there. Mine was all deformed and one of the connections was loose, I had to use some small pliars or a screwdriver to push it into place at first. I ordered a new connector and wired that in shortly after.
Did you try a new switch? While replacing it, look at the connector for the switch harness and check if its melted or something is shorting out there. Mine was all deformed and one of the connections was loose, I had to use some small pliars or a screwdriver to push it into place at first. I ordered a new connector and wired that in shortly after.
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