Another question for the experts (not me, ha!). The dash/instrument lights as well as parking lights not working on my 70 Skylark. The fuses are okay. What's the common denominator as a place to start troubleshooting? I've been thinking the light switch but having difficulty removing it. Guess I was hoping there was an easier way than removing the top pad, etc. Note: my headlights, turn signals, brake lights work. Thanks in advance for any suggestions. Roy
I just ran 12 Volts (portable jump charger) to the dash light fuse and the dash lights worked. Therefore, got to figure out why no power to the fuse. I imagine it's the light switch, but not sure. Any thoughts?
You don't have to remove the dash pad to take out the switch. You need to pull the knob out all the way, then depress button on the shaft and pull the shaft out of the switch. Then unscrew the round chrome bezel on the dash and the switch is free.:TU:
Thanks for replies. I went ahead and removed the dash pad, radio housing, glove box, dropped the steering column, and pulled dash away far enough for good access. I jumpered 12 volts on the light switch female plug from the hot source to dash lights and parking lights and they all worked. Still wouldn't work using the switch itself. Went to Advance Auto and bought another light switch. Did not resolve problem. The new switch will turn on headlights but not the dash and parking lights, etc. same as old switch. Reviewed various online wiring diagrams for GM light switch. It appears that most, if not all circuits have two 12v hot wires coming to the switch. One is "red" and controls power to the headlights; which is working on my switch. The other is "orange" and provides power to the dash and parking lights. I don't have (or can't find) this orange hot wire in my circuit and it is not part of the female plug that fits into the light switch. Does anyone know if the light switch on this car should have two hot wires? Ideas?
i imagine that the 70 & 72 use the same dash & light switch hardware. this info is in the wiring diagram in the chassis manual. i will have a look in my manual & let u know what i find. this is for the '72 a-body cars as best i read the diagram- red wire is power in dark green goes to the fuse panel "inst" black is ground light blue goes to the dimmer switch brown goes to the parking lights & side marker lights and to the ignition sw brown/white passes to the fuse pannel but eventually to the ignition sw white passes to the door jamb switches.
I referenced the 71 maintenance manual available online and determined power for the parking lights, etc. as well as dash lights came through the fuses to the light switch and then to the accessories. I removed the fuse panel front and cleaned the connectors on the back plus sprayed with electrical cleaner. Haven't put everything back together yet but so far the dash lights, parking lights, etc. are working as designed. Will finish car putting car back together Monday and provide, hopefully, final results. Thanks again for replies, Roy
