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Dash lights and running lights no longer work

Started by chargd72, June 11, 2015, 08:18:15 AM

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chargd72

I had every light on the car working until I installed HID headlights.  The headlights come on but now my dash lights and running lights don't work.  Brake lights and turn signals still work.  I've checked all fuses and nothing is blown.  The only thing I can think of is that both running lights and dash lights are tied in at the headlight switch.  Any ideas would be much appreciated.

          '72 Charger SE 4bbl 318                          '76 Power Wagon 400 W200                                 2011 (attempt at a) Charger

chargd72

Maybe this will help spark some ideas.  The HID kit I'm using only plugs into one side of the headlight harness.  The kit itself travels from the driver's side to the passenger side to connect to the headlight.  So it leaves this part of the original harness disconnected.  I'm wondering if this is creating an open circuit or missing a ground by doing so.  ???

          '72 Charger SE 4bbl 318                          '76 Power Wagon 400 W200                                 2011 (attempt at a) Charger

BLK 68 R/T

I am not familiar with the HID headlight upgrade. But you could try a jumper wire in each plug to see if that makes things work. It would simulate having a headlight plugged in and would complete the circuit which I do believe is needed to make all the lighting work correctly.

chargd72

I thought about that.  I was worried about frying something if I jumped it the wrong way.  Plus, the headlights don't have to be on for the running lights to work.

          '72 Charger SE 4bbl 318                          '76 Power Wagon 400 W200                                 2011 (attempt at a) Charger

birdsandbees

Dash and tail lights.. to the best of my recollection are on the same fuse. Was how we knew we had no tail lights as the dash lights went out when the fuse blew. Shouldn't have anything to do with your headlights. Have a look at that fuse again... or did you play with the firewall wiring plug harness or the switch area wiring. Sounds like you may have disturbed the feed to the park lights (black or brown wire, if 35 years since last looking is correct).  I think it's the black for running.. brown for signals, but if old memory serves me correctly it's one wire in from the end of the connector that you may have knocked loose (if the fuse isn't blown).
1970 'Bird RM23UOA170163
1969 'Bee WM21H9A230241
1969 Dart Swinger LM23P9B190885
1967 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S
1966 Plymouth Satellite HP2 - 9941 original miles
1964 Dodge 440 62422504487

nascarxx29

dash cluster lighting should be a 3 amp fuse.Running lights And parking light come off headlight switch and feeds to harness plug behind emergency brake panel.Where you can check the connection there and testlight the black wire with headlight switch on.You should check the bulbs and socket grounding in trunk .Another cause of no tail light turn signal switch.When I lost dash lights I jumped power to the 3 amp fuse.And got nothing turned out it wasn't the roll switch but a broke pin on circuit board that carries the orange dash light feed.Which can be checked for power by testlight by sourcing the orange wire on a wiring diagram
1969 R4 Daytona XX29L9B410772
1970 EV2 Superbird RM23UOA174597
1970 FY1 Superbird RM23UOA166242
1970 EV2 Superbird RM23VOA179697
1968 426 Road Runner RM21J8A134509
1970 Coronet RT WS23UOA224126
1970 Daytona Clone XP29GOG178701

chargd72

Thanks for the suggestions but I found the problem.  I got frustrated and started tearing my dash apart.  Turns out the spliced wires going to the cigarette lighter had come apart.  That open circuit knocked half the electrical out on my car.  Good to go now, and HIDs are an enormous improvement. 

          '72 Charger SE 4bbl 318                          '76 Power Wagon 400 W200                                 2011 (attempt at a) Charger