1996 Achieva, tail light and instrument panel lighting issue

[junemann]

started up my car today, and i noticed that the light that lights up the speedo, gas gauge and so forth was not on, noticed on my way to work that neither were my taillights. brake lights and blinkers work fine. i checked the fuses, they are all fine, what could be the problem?

[xeroinfinity]

Welcome to AF.

If you checked all the fuses for the dash/cluster, then it could be bad or your dimmer switch is malfunctioning.

With the taillights check the switch below the brake pedal for power and check the tail lights ground wires in the trunk.

[Autopro1962]

Sounds like a bad switch if all fuses have been tested with a test light,test each side of the fuses to make sure current is going threw them.

[junemann]

well i didnt actually check the fuses with the check light thing, but i pulled each one out and inspected and all appeared to be well. could you describe this switch under the brake pedal to me??? ill go take a look right now.

[junemann]

well, i went out there and realized that i left my voltmeter over at my parents house, so im not actually going to be able to check the wires for power today (its dark outside). So instead i just double checked all the fuses again, and they all look cool. Any suggestions are still appreciated!

[xeroinfinity]

THe brake switch is under the brake pedal arm cant miss it, should be white or gray.

I guess it could be your headlight switch too, you'll need that meter to do some testing though.

[junemann]

alright well, i got one stupid question before i call it a night, and check it out tomorrow. I was trying to do some research earlier about this, and i read something about some cars having fuses by the taillights. And i was also reading some previous posts kind of related to this topic, and they mentioned checking fuses in all 3 fuse boxes. well, i only know of the fusebox by the driver door, and the one by the battery, is there a 3rd one somewhere that i need to check something on??

thanks

[Autopro1962]

If you have brake lights forget about testing the brake light switch,take your volt meter with key on and ground the ground on the meter touch the positive lead to the top of each side of the fuse should have battery voltage on both sides,go threw each fuse that way you know that the voltage is going threw the fuse.Make sure that the fuse or fuses that are for the tail lites have voltage,same instrument fuse,make sure you have the lites on when you test the fuses for power.Does this car have the light switch in the steering column?If so very common problem for that multi-function switch to go bad.

[junemann]

I guess after re-reading my first post i might've been unclear, but yes the tail light, and cluster lights(i belive that is what you call them) are not working.

the brake light, and turn signals are working.

Tomorrow after work I will pick up my voltmeter and test each one of the fuses. (would you by chance be able to answer my question about whether or not there is a 3rd fuse box?)

also i believe the light switch question your asking is where is the knob to turn on the lights?? well, these lights turn on automatically, so as far as i know there is now way to turn them on/off

thanks

[xeroinfinity]

I bet its your cluster- ICP thats bad. 85-90% of grand ams 95-97 hav major problems with the ICPs craping out.

Good Luck

[junemann]

whats the cluster icp?

[junemann]

so after reading that suggestion, i did some research trying to figure out where or what the ICP is. and i found this in another thread.
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/t632192.html


I was having a starting problem and took the car into the local Buick dealer. They diagnosed the problem as being a bad Ignition Switch and Cylinder the total repair was $555.93 and I drove the car away. The next morning my car would not start... same old problem the engine cranks but there's a problem with the Anti Theft System so I came in here and found a thread concerning this very problem. I learned that I might have a bad ICP (Instrument Cluster Panel) I could get the car to start but the key had to be in the ON position for up to 10 minutes before the ICP lights would come on and then it would start.

I found a working ICP and replaced it today so that as soon as the key is in and on the ON position ALL of the ICP lights come on just as they should but now the Anti Theft light blinks on and off and the engine will not start.

My question here is.... Is there ANY way that I can get this new ICP to recognize my ignition switch so my engine will start? I'm not exactly happy with the Buick service department and I'm willing to do all that I can to avoid going back there.

Thanks in advance...

And i didnt mention it before because i didnt want to be asking to many questions about things that i thought may be two separate issues. but i frequently have the same problem with having to leave my key in the on position, usually for just a few seconds, but sometimes it can be several minutes.