98 Regal GS Dash Lights not working

[4boostin]

Just bought a 98 GS and the dash lights are not working, along with the heater control and radio lights. The gear indicator lights work and the clock radio work. I can't find any old posts that address this and have heard that it can be the dimmer switch or the resisters in the instrument cluster. How can I know for sure which one it is?

[BNaylor]

To clarify does the driver information center (DIC) at the IP light up?

[4boostin]

Originally Posted by BNaylor

To clarify does the driver information center (DIC) at the IP light up?

Yes if you mean the lights showing MPG, boost and such. The time on the radio also lights up, but neither one changes brightness if I turn the headlight dimmer knob back and forth. And none of the climate control or radio dial lights work at all.

[BNaylor]

Interesting problem(s). The resistor fix at the IP is normally only if you have an issue with the DIC or odometer. The problem sounds more related to the headlight dimmer switch but what throws it off is you have the lights at the center console shifter even though there is no dimmer action. I'd have to check the GM wiring diagrams and see if there is a common point.

[4boostin]

Problem Solved!!! It was the instrument panel dimmer/headlight on off switch. Also, remember to check/replace the dimming fuse which is behind the fuse cover on the passenger side. Mine was missing on the car I purchased, and when I put in the new switch, it didn't fix the problem until I realized that the fuse was missing.

Originally Posted by BNaylor

Interesting problem(s). The resistor fix at the IP is normally only if you have an issue with the DIC or odometer. The problem sounds more related to the headlight dimmer switch but what throws it off is you have the lights at the center console shifter even though there is no dimmer action. I'd have to check the GM wiring diagrams and see if there is a common point.

The center console shifter lights were not working. The instrument panel gear indicator lights were working.

[armallard]

What is the dimming fuse under ? i'm having a similar problem with my 02 can't see mph but radio lights work all the other lights on panel like door open. the odometerand so on just not thespeed ometer

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by armallard

What is the dimming fuse under ? i'm having a similar problem with my 02 can't see mph but radio lights work all the other lights on panel like door open. the odometerand so on just not thespeed ometer

You mean the speedometer backlighting? How about backlighting for the other gauges and tachometer? There are mini-lamps for lighting at the IP Cluster. Should be 194 mini-lamps. You have to remove the dash trim bezel and the IP Cluster to replace the ones burnt out.

[armallard]

The tach doesn't work but the cruise light works Forgive me for my ignorance what is the ip you keep talking about and the unit where the miles r keep going out but i can turn the reset knob and they come back on and go back off.

[BNaylor]

The IP is the Instrument Panel which has all the gages, warning lights and driver information center/trip computer.

The issue with the odometer display is also the IP but their is a fix that may work where you remove the IP and redo solder joints or replace certain resistors.

[4boostin]

Originally Posted by armallard

The tach doesn't work but the cruise light works Forgive me for my ignorance what is the ip you keep talking about and the unit where the miles r keep going out but i can turn the reset knob and they come back on and go back off.

The info displayed on my DIC (Digitial Info Center), MPG, boost trip meter and so on kept resetting to Zero by itself. It would sometimes go a few days before resetting and sometimes do it daily. Replacing my battery solved that problem, so you may want to check your battery connections, and in the fuse box...clean them all up. There was no there evidence of a bad battery, other than it seemed to be cranking slower than I thought it should and it was 7 years old.

The DIC resetting problem on my car was separate from the IP and radio control lights not working. Replacing the headlight on/off/dimmer fixed my problem of no IP & radio/heater lights.....after I noticed the fuse was missing. The fuse is under the panel on the passenger side end of the dash.

[outlaw17]

I also have no dash lights , 99 regal. When the light switch is pulled there is no back lighting at the IP , the gear indicator, radio and heater control are on but very faint, if I turn the knob clockwise to get the dome light on then everything lights up bright but click off the dome light and the gauge backlighting is gone and radio, heater and gear indicator go back to very dim , what may this be ?

[4boostin]

I'd suggest trying a new headlight switch before tearing the dash apart to solder resistors. The century's have the same one and it's easy to change. If you are near a salvage yard you could get one cheap or find one on ebay. You can get to the two screws to remove it by taking off the panel on the left end of the dash. Open up the drivers door and you'll see, if I remember right.

[outlaw17]

I went and got a switch today , parts guy said they sell lots of them, very common problem, took about 3 minutes to install and now the dash lights work fine, thanks all !