Help! Major electrical issue?

[sperkins]

'68. About 2 months ago I lost all power to my brake lights, headlights, tail lights and dash lights. I have replaced the headlight switch, but nothing changed. Today I pulled the dimmer switch from my '73 Olds and popped it in the Vette and now I have headlights (low and high beams). But I still have no dash lights, tail lights or brake lights. What the hell?!

I really would like to drive this thing.

 

[fine69]

'68. About 2 months ago I lost all power to my brake lights, headlights, tail lights and dash lights. I have replaced the headlight switch, but nothing changed. Today I pulled the dimmer switch from my '73 Olds and popped it in the Vette and now I have headlights (low and high beams). But I still have no dash lights, tail lights or brake lights. What the hell?!

I really would like to drive this thing.

Are you saying that two months ago, everything was working okay?

 

[sperkins]

Yep. Everything was good and it all went out at once. I changed the dimmer switch today and I now have headlights and brake lights, but still no tail lights or dash lights.

 

[6880 Mike]

Check the fuses. I've seen bad ones which looked okay in the fuse block.

 

[LVMYVT76]

A dimmer switch shouldn't make the tail lights start working, check for grounds, check for voltage at light sockets to a good ground, make sure the ground straps are on the car, did you do anything right before they stopped working 2 months ago???

 

[Mr. Chuck]

Rewording reply

Couple of thoughts; if your 68 fuse panel is located under the dash apanel, just above the carpet line like my 81, then I would check all wire connections and fuses to insure they are good. Had similar problem some years ago when I happened to move my left foot out and it hit the fuse panel and cause some electrical malfunctions. Trouble shooting revealed that I had damage / dislodged some of the wires plugged into the fuse block; repaired same problems gone.
There is also a ground under the instrument panel that is part of the exterior light circuit you should check.
My 81 shop manual shows the light switch housing contains both the dimmer & exterior light controls, if your 68 are seperate, I would check the inter-connected if any are good.
Hope this helps!!