I'm dealing with burnt out dash lights on my 79 dippy. Before I even started I order an smp headlight switch from summit. I expected the original one to have a burnt up dimmer, and be old. Even if it wasn't I could just return the switch.

I got my dash bezel off, and the old switch was rough. I replaced it but still no dash lights. I tested the voltage coming through to socket, and with the car running it varies from 13.4v to 14.1v. Is this normal or should the voltage regulator have it lower? All my guac needles work fine fyi.

that ain't bad, I would replace the bulbs with some quality ones (just cuz changing em is such a pain) & you'll be fine.

That is normal. System voltage is usually 13.5 volts.

Ok that's good. I removed some more bulbs and all the rest I checked are good and they're getting the same voltage. I replaced With new 194 bulbs anyways and still no light. With proper voltage, and a brand new switch, new bulbs what else could be preventing my instrument lights from working? A bad ground? My turn signal, door ajar, and fasten seat belt work just fine...

they're fed from the headlight switch & yes the bulbs/sockets up there would need continuity to ground.

They are showing continuity at the socket.. I'll run a new ground from the switch to firewall then firewall to block

the sockets need (ground) continuity to the dash metal frame. If they are being fed voltage from the HL switch then it has to be a ground issue.

Yes i know. I'm saying the seperate contacts inside each socket have continuity when jumped with my test leads beeeeep. So they must be grounded, I'm thinking a bad or frayed wire somewhere

The dash does not ground thru the switch.

The switch is attached to a metal bracket that a black ground wire also attaches to. I ran amother ground straight from battery negative to this bracket with no change. Guess I'll look for more ground wires. There is an aftermarket stereo installed, maybe they cut a ground wire?

The bracket is the ground for the 1 wire bulb that fits into the bracket to illuminate the 'headlight' letters above the headlight switch.

.......FOOLED AGAIN BY SEEMINGLY GOOD FUSES!!!!! I tested them and they beeped... oh well guess I don't have to worry about bulbs or switch for long time now.

Does it have a rheostat in the switch like the older cars?

Yes it does. Turns out it was just my fuses. They will show voltage and continuity but they won't carry current. Shouldve done an ohms test!

You had power to the upstream fuse terminal (flexible V clamps) but the fuse itself was blown?

yes the fuse was blown or separated internally near the end cap.

got it