OT-GMC dash lights

[Robert Zack]

This is where I come when I'm stumped. I've tried a few GM forums and you tube & dealer won't help even though they probably know exactly what' the issue is. I have a 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4. during the day my dash lights work. at night, no go. they do occasionally flicker. headlight switch has been changed twice. anyone encountered this?

 

[Jim L WA]

I'm not a G.M. guy, but, does your Sierra have automatic head lights (where they come on when a sensor senses dusk) turned on? Just wondering if there could be a problem in that area.

 

[oldsarge]

This is where I come when I'm stumped. I've tried a few GM forums and you tube & dealer won't help even though they probably know exactly what' the issue is. I have a 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4. during the day my dash lights work. at night, no go. they do occasionally flicker. headlight switch has been changed twice. anyone encountered this?

I dunno, all the GMC lights on my '44 2N work just fine !!!!!!

 

[Robert Zack]

oldsarge-same here...give me an old tractor or a 50's/60's truck & I'm fine.
this does have the auto light feature. there's a smoke colored plastic bubble on the dash & i think that that is what it's for. if that's the issue the whole dash would need to be taken apart to access it & I'd live without them. I've tried covering it & shing a bright light on it. made no difference. What's goofy is that they work during the day. another odd thing... awhile back my left rear signal was flashing too fast. looked high & low for the flasher unit. turns out it's run by a computer. the flasher click came from the driver's door speaker. turned to be an issue in the harness.

 

[WER-FL]

I would expect the cause is a weak ground connection for the dash. Go back to the last item worked on in the truck and inspect all the connections and the dash support bolts, the dash is grounded through the support bolts to the body.

 

[Robert Zack]

something that i forgot to mention that likely matters...my fuel gauge, temp. gauge, odometer, & warning lights do work at night.

 

[used red MN]

The things I found in a search was mention of the dimmer switch, looks like that is part of the light switch which you say has been replaced. When the dash is lit during the day or headlights off does the dimmer have any function then, not sure if it supposed to or not.
On the GM forum did you sign up and ask this question or were you just searching/looking for a similar problem that might have given a solution?
Have you taken it somewhere and had the codes checked? The body control module probably has some control in this but I am not sure what the level of codes it stores might be. Meaning this failure may not be within the “set” parameters of any codes.
Edit to add: I see you don’t post much outside of the N board. The Tractor and Farm Talk forum on here also has a guys with a knowledge base outside of tractor repair. I would say if you would have posted this over there Friday evening you would have far more than 6 replies to this. Something to keep in mind for the next time, might ever be worth a shot now. Its not like there is a flood of posts over there right now that will cause your topic to get buried.

 

[Robert Zack]

the dimmer does function during the day & turns the dome light on & off day or night. i did sign up on a couple gm forums & got nowhere. no codes have been checked. i've not had a tractor for a good while but still sign on to read about things. i will try this on the other forum. thanks for y'alls time.

 

[8NChris]

the dimmer does function during the day & turns the dome light on & off day or night. i did sign up on a couple gm forums & got nowhere. no codes have been checked. i've not had a tractor for a good while but still sign on to read about things. i will try this on the other forum. thanks for y'alls time.

IATN.NET

I found it helpful from time to time getting ideas from other technicians.

 

[prlwng]

01 gmc jimmy dash lights quit. Shot a bunch of electrical cleaner into dash dimmer roller and presto. Worked another year.

 

[Fixingfarmer]

So on my older gm dash some of the solders that control that on the back side of the instrument panel went bad and I had to resolder this would be a 2005 half ton Silverado. Especially the shifter indicator but the whole cluster still will go dead when it gets cold out. Head lights stay on no radio back lights no dash whole cab is dark unless you manually turn the roof light on
All other switches function. The only light that’s on is the repaired shifter indicator prd321 it was a rather common problem in the old ones based on the videos I found and the wife drove it enough at the time I didn’t figure I wanted it rolling down the interstate in 3rd.

I’ve always suspected it’s another bad solder on the back of the dash but by now it also could be a faulty daylight sensor that in the middle up by the window