Wiring (lights) problem

[Notes]

History: Removed front bumper, grill, headlights, front running/turn signal lights to install AC. Didn't drive it, so never checked the lights I didn't remove, but the dome light did work. Put everything back together. Headlights & turn signals work. I have no side marker lights, tail lights or dome light. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

[Southcity]

A good start would be to test using a simple circuit tester if possible:

1. Remove one of the rear tail light bulbs
2. Turn lights on and see if you are getting power
3. If no power I would start checking all your grounds. Specifically the ones near the taillight housings and taillight wiring harness
4. If you have known good spare bulbs, that's always an easy check too

[Notes]

False alarm. I replaced a perfectly good looking fuse (it wasn't burnt or even bent) with a new one - and everything works! May all of our problems be solved this easily.

[Steeveedee]

It's amazing how a fuse can blow and not be obvious. This kind of thing has happened to me as well.

[Notes]

It sure looked good to me.

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by Notes

It sure looked good to me.

Doesn't look blown to me, either! Frustrating like heck when they are like that. It's supposed to fry in the skinny part. Check the contact of the wires connected to that fuse. It could be that pulling and replacing the fuse wiggled the other connectors into a better connection on the fuse block. I've seen that before.

[RustyPile]

This is a perfect example of why you can't just look at a fuse and tell if it's bad.. The way to check a fuse is with a volt meter or test light if the fuse is in the fuse box.. Wiggle the fuse back and forth so that it makes good contact with the clips. Attach one test lead to ground and probe each end of the fuse with the other probe.. Should read equal voltage on each end.. To test a fuse "on the bench", use a dvm in the continuity mode, one lead on each end of the fuse.. If you have continuity, the fuse is good.. If no continuity, the fuse is bad..

When an electrical circuit isn't working (lights, horn, blower motor, etc), first thing to do is check the fuse(s)…..

[slikside]

Originally Posted by RustyPile

This is a perfect example of why you can't just look at a fuse and tell if it's bad.. The way to check a fuse is with a volt meter or test light if the fuse is in the fuse box.. Wiggle the fuse back and forth so that it makes good contact with the clips. Attach one test lead to ground and probe each end of the fuse with the other probe.. Should read equal voltage on each end.. To test a fuse "on the bench", use a dvm in the continuity mode, one lead on each end of the fuse.. If you have continuity, the fuse is good.. If no continuity, the fuse is bad..

When an electrical circuit isn't working (lights, horn, blower motor, etc), first thing to do is check the fuse(s)…..

All great advice.

Replacing a blown fuse is the easy part. Finding out WHY a fuse is blown, or keeps blowing...that's the hard part, and where I struggle.

I've got dash lights that don't work most of the time cuz the fuse is blown. Replace the fuse, and they work for a while, until they don't (blown fuse). Thought I had it fixed for good once, but nope! grrrr! I know there's a short....somewhere!

[Notes]

slikside - where is the fuse for the dash lights? I've seen several posts that show the fuse blocks (if that's the correct term) for 72 C10s, but mine originally had factory air and it looks different. Where can I find a diagram of the fuse block for a 72 C10 with factory air? Thanks

[VetteVet]

Originally Posted by Notes

slikside - where is the fuse for the dash lights? I've seen several posts that show the fuse blocks (if that's the correct term) for 72 C10s, but mine originally had factory air and it looks different. Where can I find a diagram of the fuse block for a 72 C10 with factory air? Thanks

The fuse is labeled Pnl Lts shown in the last picture.
The other two show the wiring from the fuse panel to the dash cluster.

[Notes]

Thank you VetteVet! I appreciate the help.