Insturment/Radio/HVAC Backlighting

duck commander · January 15, 2007

I have a 2002 Silverado 1500 and while I was driving last week my instrument/radio/Hvac backlighting went out. However my ashtray and window lights still work at night.

At first i thought my dimmer switch was in the off position...wasnt it

Then I replaced my dimmer/headlight control swicth box...wasnt it

When I plugged the new box it started smoking and I unpluged it quickly.

Im at a loss on what might be the problem and dont know what else to check. I have no diagrams to work off of to test the wires.

Anyone here herd of a problem like this?

asilverblazer · January 16, 2007

Hmmm, too much juice to the switch, I wonder if the BCM regulates the power through to the switch in some way? I wonder too, if a short some where could cause this. Are the fuses OK? What I might would try if I got desperate unlplug things like the radio, HVAC controller, Instrument panel, then plug them back in one at a time, when the switch starts smoking you will have narrowed it down to a possible culprit. And hopefully not cooked the new switch.

duck commander · January 16, 2007

Anyone know what the pinout is on the plug for the headlight switch?

Chanks7 · January 25, 2007

Are all the fuses ok or is it blowing a certain fuse? When you plug in the headlight switch did smoke come from it or from somewhere near it? Sounds like a short to ground, after inspecting the wiring if you dont see anything a good way to find a short (not the preferred method) is to plug it in, install a new fuse and follow the smoke! Probably find a chafed wire.