Help!! No dash lights!

[2rvsperf]

Gentleman..

I have just purchased an 86 SVO with 42k miles, the car is beautiful, and I really love it. I have always had late 60's Mustangs, and this is my first jump into something like this.. so I am learning to say the least.

When I got this car somebody had put an Alpine stereo in the dash. I had known the car from the past, and knew that the original radio worked well in the car. I had somebody here in my town put the original radio back in the dash ( you know what a job that is.. ) and the radio works well.. I just have no dash lights. I took the car back to where they worked on it, and they said that there was no power going to the dash lights, and suggested that the headlight switch is bad. I replaced the switch last night, and that did not fix the problem. All of the fuses are fine, and every option works fine on the car. I am not sure where to go next... can you help me or have any suggestions? I love the car, and would very much like to not drive by the map light if you know what I mean...

Confused... but eager to learn. Thanks to all for this great site and forum!!

Best,
2rvrsperf

[SVOeric]

do the radio lights come on when you turn the lights on ?

[2rvsperf]

No... the radio works.. the display is fine... ( reception is not great ... but.. you know.. ) but no lights in the radio.. Are the 2 linked? Would I be able to replace the bulb in the radio if it is bad?

Thanks for your help!! I want to drive this car at night... love those red gauges.

-2rvsperf

[SVOeric]

I was thinking there is a wire that runs to the radio that causes the lights on the radio to dim when you have your headlights on.


if that was shorted, or hooked to something else, i thought it might be causing your problems.

if you are sure the fuse is good, it is time to get a manual with a wiring diagram, and chase it down. it's lots of fun... sitting with a volt meter for hours

did they work before this person swapped your radios ?

[2rvsperf]

Yea.. everything worked before the swap... The company that put the radio in says that they did not cause the problem. All I know is I can't figure it out, and the fuse is working fine.

Open to any suggestions.
Thanks again..

-2rvsperf

[svobud]

Sorry Andy - but sounds like a pretty 'cut' (pun intended) and dry situation. Either put the Alpine back in and see if the lights work...or break out the volt meter. If the lights work with the Alpine - then we know it's factory radio related, if they don't...then it's probably INSTALLER related. Personally - sounds like the Radio Shop fubared the install.

[2rvsperf]

I agree Bud... Sounds like volt meter time.

If not, there is a guy here that used to be a mechanic... some people work for beer, so it might not be too bad.

Thanks !

[SVOeric]

If I were you, I would at least go to the place that did the swap and say these lights worked before you put this radio in, they don't work now, it is obviously something you did when you installed the radio. Fix it, or give me my money back
-- I don't think that is asking too much..

[2rvsperf]

I agree... but as they say... done done that. They said they checked everything and said that there was no power going to the cluster... and they suggested that the light switch was bad. That made sense to me as well.. and tried that.

Oh well.. I think Bud is right.. if it can not be traced down, then I need to pull the radio, and see if they come on again. I have a mechanic here that said he would see if he could get it going.. I think it's time to button it up, and bring it to a pro.


Thanks for all your help.. .This one has had me"bum fuzzled" !

-2rvsperf

[2rvsperf]

Well... all is well..

Well..( for those that have been following the saga... ) My car has a remote keyless entry that somebody had put on in the past.. and my mechanic had found a wire that did not have the power to go to the dash.. in moving the harness, he noticed that a wire had popped out of behind the fuse box!!! Put it back in to the 5 amp fuse... dash lights.

Never thought about that... fuse was fine.. but no juice to the link.


Thanks to all for your help.. now I get to look at the pretty red gauges.. ( doesn't take a lot to impress me.. !)

-2rvsperf

[SVOeric]

COOL!!! now you can come to the reunion!!!

[2rvsperf]

I think I shall................

-2rvsperf