dash lights not working sometimes

[dromana7411]

when i turn my hadlights on, most of the time my dash lights wont come on. then after a while they will turn on, or if i flash my lights, turn then on off repeadily, stuff like that, they sometimes go back on.

this is becoming a real problem cause i cant see how fast i go at night, and im scared of the dark?

car is a 83 SWB MK patrol 2.8... running a tacho threw the same wiring for parkers (dash lights ect) cant rember if it was doing the problem before it was installed or not. so i will check that.

anyone have any idea what is happening?

otherwise i will just run a reading lamp kind of light facing my dash, and turn it on when thy dont work.

thanks

bryce-

[dromana7411]

anyone? this is now a real problem. after driving home lastnight holding the torch on my phone facing the dash, and with my spedo being out, i need help.

any one have a wiring diagram fom the dash?

[murcod]

Sounds like it could be a problem with the switch??? You need to have a probe around with a multimeter to see where the open circuit is.

[festy]

It's not just your dash lights taht aren't coming on, it's your whole parker circuit - which means no tail lights either.
The switch is a dodgy design, when it gets a bit hot (due to bad contacts, too higher load etc) the little plastic bits inside soften and squeeze out of shape, stopping it from making contact. You can fix it by pulling it apart, warming up the little plastic bits and squeezing them back into shape, or just grab a new switch from any similar aged nissan - I know Bluebirds used the same part number switch, but for some reason wreckers sell them cheaper than patrol ones

If you pull your switch apart, clean the copper contacts inside - that should stop it getting too hot for a while. Also, if your headlights aren't running through a relay - put one in.

[dromana7411]

i ripped out the tacho and wiring that was on it, and now they work.. and i havnt had a poblem since. touch wood.