No Dashboard lights!!

[2narme]

Hi i was just wondering if someone could give me a few tips before I start.

I have bought a 1990 316i and most of the lights on the dash dont work!

The only lights that do work are the headlight adjusting tool underneath my light pull knob, the service lights along with all other lights at the bottom of the dials and the indicators and main beam. All of the other lights i.e speedo, rev, heater controls dont work.

The first thing i would check would be the bulbs however it seems unusual for all of the lights not to be working. I have also pulled the stereo out (as this also doesnt work) and the wires are in a bit of a mess so dont know if this could be the issue?

Thanks for you help

[daimlerman]

Have you tried turning the main lighting switch clockwise?

[2narme]

Yea i have tried that which would normally dim the lights but that also doesnt work. :S

[Brianmoooore]

If the lights for the headlamp adjuster are working, then so should the rest of them. Can only really be blown bulbs.
Are you sure it's not the bulb that lights the headlamp and foglamp switches that's working, as this is a fed from a completely different source.

[e30nerd]

It may be an earth problem. I think the lights that work are on a slight different circuit to the rest.

I have had the varaible reistor in the rotating head light on/off brightness control go open circuit before. You can test this if you to take the buld out of the rear ashtray, then put the earth (-'ve) down to ground (ie against the body - I used the bolt that sticks up from the transmission tunnel under the rear ash tray. If you have a crocoidle clip it can be useful!

If the earth is open circuit your dash with then light up with full incencity.