Strange problem...

[powell72]

So, I go out to my truck tonight to go somewhere and when I turn the lights on I have no instrument panel lights, park lights, dome light, or brake lights. The headlights are the only lights that work. I tried the headlight switch out of my wife's truck and that wasn't it. Fuses are okay. I'm kinda stuck right now since I'm home and my test light and volt meter are at work. Anyone have this issue or can you point me in a direction until I can run to my shop???

[vectorit]

Did you check the little inline fuses that run in the wire loom accross the radiator support? There are usually two, one on each side of the radiator.

[powell72]

I checked the one on the passenger side while I was checking the connections at the junction block. I meant to check the one on the driver's side but I spaced it out, I'll check tomorrow.

[Boog]

Well if it was only the instrument panel and dome lights not working I'd say check the ground wire that attaches to the lower part of the dash. Could still be a ground problem though.

[84_4x4]

i know you said you checked all the fuses but i had this exact same problem a few weeks ago and it was a fuse in the original fuse box

[Longhorn Man]

since it is everything on that circuit, I would double check the fuse by swapping it with a known good one. Then I would check for power on that fuse.

[SCOTI]

Check all the external light circuit wiring especially from the F to R of the frame near any exhaust work. It's common that there's a bad spot in the wire loom going to the tail-lights that's shorting a fuse.

[fixit-p]

I agree with lhm everything you mention other than the headlights are on the same circuit if not the fuse could be bad connection at fuse block 16 & 18 awg orange wires.

[powell72]

I checked a wiring diagram late last night and I agree, all fingers point to the fuse. All I did was visually inspect it last night, I'll replace it first thing and go from there. I'll report back when I get it taken care of. Thanks for all the suggestions guys.

[SCOTI]

I had to replace fuses often in my 68Beater.

I started tracing wiring to determine why & found previous muffler R&R's had used the torch in very close proximity to the wiring on the pass side. This melted the protective sheathing & allowed it to eventually corrode & occassionally contact the frame during normal use (big RR tracks etc).

I had to splice fresh wiring in from under the cab area & ran it all the way back to the bulk head on the rear frame c.member.

[Longhorn Man]

trailer light harnesses done and redone and redone overr the years are a very very common cause, I always tell people to start there.
A visural inspection isn't worth a whole lot, the fuse can blow at the end where you can't see it.

[powell72]

Well it was the fuse, thanks to all. Even after I took it out I was still looking at it thinking it looked fine, it must have broken loose at one of the ends from age or vibration. That's what I get for trying to make it more complicated than it needed to be to diagnose.
Thanks again everyone.