I just got done rebuilding my engine after 7 months.

All (repeat ALL) lights work except gauge lights and dash lights. Checked fuse, it is good.

Any thoughts?

I think it would be odd for the dash and heater control lights, etc, to all die at same time while all else is good.

I suspect somewhere in the engine compartment something is not put back right.

Stuck on this as I need to get vehicle reinspected.

 

Did you check dimmer control switch?

 

Edit - the factory radio and radio light does indeed work and the dimmer switch dims the radio light so I'm certain the dimmer switch works. PRNDL lights all work, gages work, light in mirror works, clock works

Gage back lighting and heater control lights are the only ones not working. All exterior lights and dome light work.

I am wondering if one of the grounds in the engine compartment is not making good contact. I painted the plenum during the engine rebuild and there is a ground wire that bolts directly to the plenum, more or less driver's side in-line with the driver's wiper (I polished this ground, no change). Also there is another ground wire that is in-line with the passenger's wiper (still need to polish this ground).

All lights worked prior to the engine rebuild, so I am suspecting I disturbed something.

I checked the fuse under the dash that the owner's manual indicated was for the dash lights. I will go thru all of the fuses.

 

Removed the two grounds that connect to the plenum, wire brushed the paint off the plenum, brackets, and polished the leads. Dash lights now work.