This morning when I turned my headlights on my dash lights stayed off. The funny thing is that when I turn the key to the first position the dash lights come on, but when I turn the key to the second position, the dash lights turn off but the headlights turn on. When the car is actually started and running, the dash lights are off but the headlights are on. Also, I have a chime to let me know when the headlights are on when the car is not running and when I have the key in the first position, the dash lights are on and the chime is ringing. When I turn the key to the second position, the chime stops, even though the headlights are now on. Anyone know what can be causing this? I drive the car daily and it just started this morning. It is getting darker in the morning now and it would be helpful to have the dash lights on while I drive to work.

Thanks!

 

When you say dash lights do you mean illumination or the other lights, [warning/indicators]?
Have you tested all the fuses, blown fuses can have an effect on unrelated circuits, test fuses in the fuse boxes, [ plugged in] test both test tips with a 12V test light, {NOT led type].

Head lights and dash lights, [illumination] are controlled by the combination light switch and head lights by the DRL relay, [if you have daytime running lights] the dash lights are also controlled, [intensity] by the DLBC, [dash lights brightness controller] it controls the ground to the dash lights.The ign. switch should not have any control of the dash lights at all, it will have control of the head lights, [high beams] if you have DRLs, so I am not sure why it is effecting the dash lights, other then because of a blown unrelated fuse or possibly a grounding issue, most electrical issues, especially unrelated circuit issues, are almost always related to a grounding problem, grounding is the one thing common to all circuits.

I would start with the fuses, if all good, pull and check the DLBC, unplug it and jump the red/black and black leads in the plug, [should give you full brightness on the dash lights].

If all still good, start checking grounds, starting with the main grounds, batt. to chassis and chassis to engine, DO NOT just eyeball any of grounds your checking, disconnect/clean/reconnect.

After checking/redoing the main ground I would check/redo grounds related to lighting, head lights and pay close attention to any dash light grounding, including the one, [black] to the DLBC. 94

 

Thank you for your response. The problem ended up being the light switch. I went to the junkyard today, got a "new" switch and the lights work just like normal again!