Dash and Radio lights go out when Headlights are on

[ekim1955]

I have a 1990 Lumina euro. Had trouble wiht headlights not working, I replaced the swith and a new circut breaker. Now the dash and radio lights go out when headlights and or park lights are turned on. I checked all the fuses and are fine. What else can I check. Thanks in advance.

[sirdarksol]

It's probably not this, but you might want to check it anyway. I'm not sure about the Euro Lumina, but on the regular 1990 Lumina there is a dimmer switch to the left of the steering wheel. It's near the headlight controls. That switch controls the dashboard lighting. The radio has a normal running setting for the lights, but when you turn the lights on, whatever you have the dimmer set at takes over. If that had been turned down or off when you were fixing the lights, that may be why this is happening.
Hope it's something as simple as this.

[ekim1955]

I checked the swith thinking the same thing and nothing. I think there might be a short somewhere but don't know where to check. But thanks for the reply.

[Kooterskkar]

Are you sure you got the right breaker? Are all the wires plugged into the back of the switch tight? Did it start this right after you replaced the switch and breaker?

[ekim1955]

The same type breaker I took out. And I got it from a GM Dealer. I rechecked the wires and all are tight. And yes this happened after I replaced the switch. I replaced the switch because the daytime running lights and low beam headlights were not working.

[Kooterskkar]

So now the headlights work, but the dash lights dont. Almost sounds like you got the wrong switch. The low beam headlight problem coud have been caused by the highbeam switch too. Is that what you replaced or did you replace the switch that is on the side of the dashboard?

[ekim1955]

I just replaced the headlight switch (recycled switch) on the dash. I had to replace the the dimmer switch last winter and it was new. The Dash switch came off the same model.

[ekim1955]

I found my trouble, it was a defective dimmer switch(on the headlight switch ). replaced it again and the dash lights are working again.

[jeffcoslacker]

Might want to check the wiring to that rheostat wheel for adjusting the dash lights. You mighta pulled on the wires at the headlight switch end while changing it, and disconnected that one by accident. If the doors are closed, and you roll that switch all the way up till it notches, do the interior dome lights come on? If not-there's your problem.