No headlights/radio/cab lights?? Help!

Ok. Last night. Go outside open up the truck(90 silverado) all the lights are working ect when i open the door. Start it up. Lights go out, radio doesn’t work, also no headlights. All the fuses look good. Any Idea’s? I know NOTHING about wiring so sorry if this is a dumb question. Thanks in advance.

go to advance/napa/autozone and get a chiltons manual.

you have a chilton/helms manual?

I know these trucks pretty well, and do alot of wiring/mobile electronics installs. It sounds like it is pulling a ground thru the domelight wire. This would tell me there is a bad ground on the light switch, or possibly a melted switch internally (very common on these trucks). The domelight has constant (12v+) & is turned on by the plunger being grounded (-) when the plunger is out. The plunger in the side of the dash has a constant ground and the ground goes thru the headlight switch on it’s way to the domelight. If there is a poor ground on maybe the headlights (on the core support), or the switch (behind the IP) the switch will try to pull the ground thru the path of least resistance (dome circuit).

There are also fuseible links in the engine compartment that can be “open” and not supply power to the proper wires in the truck. These are fairly easy to test if they are good or not, with a continuity tester.

Again, this would be easier to diagnose in person than over the interweb.

EDIT: there is also a self resetting circuit breaker in the headlamp switch. I would first try a headlamp switch, like I mentione above, they are common failures in these trucks. Easy to change. 4 T20 torx screws to pull th IP surround out. Unplug the headlamp switch, cargo lamp switch, etc, and remove the surround. There are 4 screws holding the headlamp switch in the surround.

:bigthumb:

Should of mentioned. Just replaced the switch maybe 2/3 months ago? But that was just causing the headlights to “flicker” when that went bad?

OEM Switch or aftermarket. If aftermarket, then I’ll bet it’s a switch. JMO.

Oem. I wish I knew what the hell I am doing/looking for. ha.

Like I mentioned, this is alot easier to diagnose in person. Too bad you are on the other side of the world. I’d be glad to take a look at it.

Haha, Ya i know. Well thanks for the help.

Just bought a new switch and gave that a shot. Wasn’t the problem. Any other suggestions?