Headlight/Gauge Issue

[davery]

I have been working on my interior on my 85 for a few weeks. I am relocating the smaller gauges to the center dash and made 2 ft pigtails to enable the relocation. Two issues. Number one - All of the small gauges are working, but none have lights. I replaced the digital clock with an analog and added a voltmeter. I have everything plugged in but the speedo and tach. I do have the dimmer switch plugged in. Since all the gauges are not illuminated, I'm thinking maybe the dimmer switch? Can anyone explain how to bypass the dimmer switch? Number two - the headlights were working but then stopped when I went to switch to the brights. I can get them to stay on by holding the lever of the column a certain way. Also, when they switch on I can hear a click from the rely panel under the glove box that I do not remember hearing before. The lever has been bent for a while, but it has always worked until now. Sounds like there may be a short in the headlight switch. How difficult is the steering column to remove? This happened at dark tonight and tomorrow I am going to start trouble shooting. Any ideas where to start?

[spider2081]

Not sure if the dimmer on an 85 is similar to that on my 1981 but if it is there is a fuses inside the dimmer. To by-pass the dimmer simply connect the 2 wires on the dimmer together.

[davery]

Not sure if the dimmer on an 85 is similar to that on my 1981 but if it is there is a fuses inside the dimmer. To by-pass the dimmer simply connect the 2 wires on the dimmer together.

The dimmer must be different, as I have 5 wires going into the plug. It looks like the plug only has three connections, though. I just need to figure out which of the three connections to jump.

[spider2081]

Looked at a wire diagram. It shows orange/black is the dash lights and yellow-yellow/black is the power to the dimmer so if you connect the 2 you are by passing the dimmer. I would connect the 2 using an in-line fuse in case you have a short in one of the light wires.

[davery]

Looked at a wire diagram. It shows orange/black is the dash lights and yellow-yellow/black is the power to the dimmer so if you connect the 2 you are by passing the dimmer. I would connect the 2 using an in-line fuse in case you have a short in one of the light wires.

Update - I cleaned and blew air through the steering column switches and they are working now. Still no lights on the gauges, though. I bypassed the dimmer switch, no luck. I can't seem to find a wiring diagram for an 85, only for 80-82. Did you find this online? If so, could you post a link? Or at least tell me if the yellow-yellow/black wire goes directly to the fuse panel. Thanks for your help.

[davery]

I. Went back to look at the fuses again with a brighter light and noticed a hair line break in one. I replaced and everything is working fine now, except for the front side lights. I forget, do this blink with the turn signals?

[RRoller123]

The side markers up front do NOT blink with the turn signals, but you can make them do so! See the web writings/site of Daniel Stern. They can be wired to blink in opposition to the bumper turn signals with no expense, or he sells a little device (that I have installed and am happy with) that will make them blink in unison. Either way, this is a VERY significant safety upgrade, as the turn signals reset in the bumper can't be seen by anyone except those directly in front of the car.