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Dash light disco

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Old Mar 19, 2017 | 06:46 PM
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Dash light disco

Well I have found a new problem to fix. Hoping someone on here has had the same issue. Last night my dash started acting all crazy. With the headlights off turn signals work just fine. As soon as I turn on the lights whenever I use a turn signal both turn indicators flash, the HI beam indicator flashes also...it is weak though. Also my gas gauge drops about 1/2 a tank? I have looked and looked for a loose wire and cannot locate 1. Anyone ever had this happen and what was the fix? Thanks.
 
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Old Mar 20, 2017 | 12:09 AM
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Crazy stuff like that is often because of a ground.
It's possible that your battery ground cable runs to the engine block, which would require another cable between the block and cab - usually a short uninsulated braided flat cable running from a bellhousing bolt to the firewall. So make sure that your cab is indeed grounded as described. (Battery can ground to cab, and then from the cab to the block - but you'll need a fatter cable between the cab and block, to handle the starter's draw.)
Also check your headlight and tail lamp grounds - one at each corner of the vehicle. Heads readily visible under the hood, and tails inside behind the lamp assemblies, IIRC, so you'll have a little work to get to them.
If these check out OK, make sure you have a good ground to the gauge cluster. I think it comes in through the main harness, but hopefully someone will verify for sure. Find the ground wire, and test it's Ohms between the battery ground maybe?

Is the light switch loose? Not sure, but if it needs grounded to the cab and isn't, that that might cause some problems as well.

Make sure your steering column, mainly the turn signal switch, is/are grounded adequately as well.

Had you done anything which might've jostled any wiring in any of these areas lately?

Also, check any trailer lighting harnesses which might be on there. Those are often a hack-fest from what I've read...
 
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