Dash Light Questions

[sublimer]

This is a 3-part question.

1. When I've turned my headlights on (with the key in the ignition or not) I notice a red light comes on just under the "50" on my speedometer. I have no idea what this means, since it relates to my headlights turning on I suspect it could indicate battery issues.

2. The ability to light-up my dash gauges isn't available. My headlights turn on just fine, same with the interior dome light. However, rotating the light knob doesn't dim or brighten the dash, it's just dark. I've read things discussing the rheostat, but I don't know much about this. Is my light knob just bad?

3. The dimmer switch doesn't seem to work. It basically acts as an on-off switch. If the lights are on and I press the switch, the lights turn off. If I press the switch again, the lights turn on. I think it's on the low beam setting, not the high.

Thanks

[mr_josh]

1: Means the bright lights are turned on (switch on the floor).

2: The rheostat for the light dimmer is built in to the headlight switch- turning the knob one way increases the resistance in the power feed to the dash lights and dims them, turning it the other way (counter-clockwise) decreases the resistance and increases the brightness of the lights. On more than one of these switches, I've had the sweeper in the rheostat corrode to the spring and break it when turned. When that happens, the dash lights go out. Likely, a new headlight switch will fix this problem.

3: It's possible that the low beam in both of your headlights are burned out. I'd check that first.

[sublimer]

2: The rheostat for the light dimmer is built in to the headlight switch- turning the knob one way increases the resistance in the power feed to the dash lights and dims them, turning it the other way (counter-clockwise) decreases the resistance and increases the brightness of the lights. On more than one of these switches, I've had the sweeper in the rheostat corrode to the spring and break it when turned. When that happens, the dash lights go out. Likely, a new headlight switch will fix this problem.

There is no tension when I turn the knob, I guess that means it is completely worn out then. Are there other things to check before just going out and buying a new part?

3: It's possible that the low beam in both of your headlights are burned out. I'd check that first.

Possible. I know my bulbs aren't matching...bought it like that. But if my hi beams are working, I'm okay with that since they aren't extremely bright.

[Thunderfoot]

but do also check the "Dash light" fuse in the fuse box on the firewall, the power for the dash lights comes from the light switch, through the fuse, then to the dash lighting.