Dash and Brake lights quit working

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Dec 26, 1999 | 03:32 PM

AWOL

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From: Needmore

Dash and Brake lights quit working

'88 E350 w/351 EFI. The dash and brake lights just quit working. I've checked all the fuses, and they're good. I can't find my Haynes manual and was wondering if anyone knew what to check next.

Dec 26, 1999 | 07:33 PM

slik

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From: saramento usa

Dash and Brake lights quit working

Sounds like an open circuit some place. I would check out your light switch first and make sure it is good. You may have to pull it out and then check with a simple circuit tester if you're getting juice across the contacts that go to the tail lights and dash lights. Man, it's hard to chase down shorts or opens, you have to check section by section until you isolate the problem.

Good luck,

Slik

Dec 26, 1999 | 08:21 PM

Dave

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Dash and Brake lights quit working

I have an 84 that had what sounds like a similar problem and it turned out the ignition switch -when starting engine- would not always spring back completly to "on" from the "start" position. This kept guages and other stuff non energized. Just a thoughr. DS

Dec 26, 1999 | 08:30 PM

Dave

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Dash and Brake lights quit working

Dec 27, 1999 | 08:16 AM

AWOL

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From: Needmore

Dash and Brake lights quit working

The "Check Engine" light does flash sometimes. I don't know if it's related, but I'd still like to know what it means. Gotta go check your suggestions. Thanks all.

AWOL
What's Mine:
'69 F100 w/302 (out of a '74 or '75 car)
What I've gotta watch after:
'79 Chevy Monza w/3.2L V6 (only like it cause it's a car, not truck)
'87 Isuzu P'up (not a REAL truck)
'87 Mercury Cougar w/3.8L V6
'87 E350 w/460
'88 E350 w/351 EFI

Dec 27, 1999 | 10:24 AM

Phillip Guidry

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Joined: Jun 1999

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Dash and Brake lights quit working

There are several fuse links at the fender mounted starter solenoid. They are very easy to check with a test light hooked to ground and probing beyond the solder joint,a few inches away.For the flashing check engine,it could be the small ground wires at the battery. Rework the wires/connection and try again.
Phillip

Dec 27, 1999 | 03:08 PM

AWOL

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From: Needmore

Dash and Brake lights quit working

Well I took the the headlight switch out and looked at the wires to see if there was anything wrong there. The tail-lights magicaly started working again. Dash lights still not working. Everything on that switch looked OK. Gonna check the fuse links, as suggested. Thanks again, folks.

AWOL
What's Mine:
'69 F100 w/302 (out of a '74 or '75 car)
What I've gotta watch after:
'79 Chevy Monza w/3.2L V6 (only like it cause it's a car, not truck)
'87 Isuzu P'up (not a REAL truck)
'87 Mercury Cougar w/3.8L V6
'87 E350 w/460
'88 E350 w/351 EFI