blinkers and gauge lights don't work

[BrantDale]

Any obvious answers to this problem? On my instrument panel it appears that everything works, such as ammeter, temp gauge, fuel gauge, but the instrument panel lights don't work and my blinkers don't work. Also, when I turn the blinker on the ammeter flips towards the "C" until I turn it off. I have taken out the bulbs and they appear to be good.

There is a single light blue wire that comes out at the connector for the instrument panel, where does that go?

Any help or ideas on how to trouble shoot this is greatly appreciated. Thanks

[Thunderfoot]

For the instrument lights check the fuse and also check that you have power to the fuse with the headlights turned on. The power comes from the headlight switch to the fuse then to the instrument lights, try turning the headlight knob back and forth and see if that helps as it is a common problem for them to corrode on the rheostat and stop working (also common for the headlight switch to be the problem).

There is a Light Blue wire that comes from the turn signal flasher in the instrument cluster that goes to the TSS.

[BrantDale]

Ok, so I replaced the light switch and solved the gauge light issue. Thanks for the advice!

Now the blinkers and back up lights don't work. Would that all be the wiring in the column?

[fordman]

the back up lights are controlled one of two ways. if you have a automatic transmission the neutral safety switch turns those lights on and off. if you have a manual transmission the switch is on the transmission. for the nss auto. it could be that someone has wired around the nss somehow. if it is the switch the wire that goes to it from the plug on the outside of the firewall to the switch may have broekn wires on it. i have seen that happen. there are other causes too. such as a possible bad ground on the tail light housing. but i think that would affect all of the lights brake and tail included. it coudl be soemone has cut the wires under the tail end of the truck and spliced them for some reason. it could be bad sockets. so the bulb isnt making good contact.

[Thunderfoot]

Also, for the blinkers; Check the fuse in the fuse panel as it is also for the reverse lights and the windshield washer pump... if it is good then check the light blue wire at the connector going into the column under the dash for power with the key on. If it doesn't have power on it then you will need to check the flasher can for power at the connector for it. If it has power then try a new flasher can, if it doesn't have power there then you'll have to follow the wire back to the fuse for problems.
Could also be the wire connection on the back of the fuse box, this would be a Black/red striped wire coming out of the fuse box, so you can check it for power there too.