ragtopblue

Any thoughts? I had an electrical issue yesterday when I lost my power windows in my 72 Cutlass Supreme. We found that the power top switch had stuck thus blowing the fuse. We unstuck the power top switch and I replaced the fuse and top and windows worked fine. Last night I went to move the car and had no instrument cluster lights. I replaced the 4 Amp fuse designated for the instrument cluster but still no lights. The headlight switch was replaced in the Spring and so was the power top switch. Headlights work fine but that's all. Any thoughts for next step ?

oldcutlass

Gotta ask. Is the rheostat turned all the way to left on the headlight switch?

ragtopblue

Yes, turned completely to right then back to the left till you could feel it click. Then slightly back to the right but still no lights in cluster. Could the issue with the windows and top yesterday have effected the switch even though they are on separate circuits ?

ragtopblue

OK it has been traced back to switch again since I also have no tail lights ! So it IS a switch issue, so tomorrow I will contort myself under the dash and check the wires and connections. This is an NOS switch so I hope it isn't the unit which is less then a year old ! Would be a shame that an NOS switch would not outlast a China Repop!

MDchanic

Check the taillight fuse - it feeds both the taillights and the panel lights.

- Eric

oldcutlass

X2 on what Eric said.

ragtopblue

Thanks to all for your help ! So finally got to the car after new headlight switch arrived. Long story short it was the tail light fuse !!!! We'll at least I now have a new headlight switch and removal tool !

oldcutlass

Glad it corrected, Eric nailed it.

MDchanic

Yes, but you would have said the same thing had you responded first.

Glad you got it fixed!

- Eric

ragtopblue

Thank you Eric ! I wish I had checked the taillight fuse before I ordered my new headlight switch and retaining nut tool, would have saved me 34 $'s in shipping from OPGI ! But in the good side I now have the tool instead of needle nose plyers and a new switch if ever needed !!!!!! You're all a great support system for those in need ! 1 Great community ! Thanks for healing " Cutty " Which by the way received its 100th trophy last week since I started showing it in my Dad's memory ( Original owner 1980/1998 ) in 2006.

MDchanic

You're welcome.

By the way, those light switches are $13 to $26 at your local parts store, depending on the brand, and a broad cold chisel works great for the attaching screw.

- Eric