Dimmer Switch/Dash Lights?

[Joe]

I am soon to be (today) the proud new owner of a 99 Silverado LS 2WD. There are a few issues with the truck with the main two being that the dash lights do not work and there is a shake/shimmy in the steering wheel at highway speed (65+). I'm going to tackle the dash lights first.

Where do you guys suggest that I start? I was told by the dealership that it could be the dimmer switch and they want $175 to fix it. I have my doubts as to whether they even looked at the problem.

So, how would one go about getting to the dimmer switch and approximately how much does it cost to get a replacement? Is this even the place to start? Interior lights work, high/low beams work, no apparent fuses blown...high beam indicator on dash works. That's it.

On a side note and possibly related, the radio/clock (stock) power display sometimes comes on and sometimes doesn't. The radio always plays but the panel may or may not display the tuner/clock...? This is not a huge issue as I will eventually replace with a better system.

On the wheel wobble issue, could it be simply a tire out of round or a knot? Could it be an alignment problem? PO says the truck has never been wrecked and carfax/VIN search supports this. I plan to rotate the tires and see if that changes anything. Will post progress and pics when the truck belongs to Joe!

Thanks for any help y'all can provide!

[03chevy]

how many miles are on it? i have been told that at or around 50k the wheel bearings need to be changed. you can also look at this.
1Inspect Wheel Bearing - Front Worn or improperly lubricated wheel bearing.

2Inspect Wheel Bearing - Rear Worn or improperly lubricated wheel bearing.

4Inspect Ball Joint - Lower Worn or damaged lower ball joints

5Inspect Ball Joint - Upper Worn or damaged upper ball joints.

6Inspect Tie Rod End Loose, worn or incorrectly adjusted tie rod end(s).

[Joe]

108k and some change on the odometer. I'll go through the front end and see if any of the issues you suggest are present. It would be nice if it was as simple as bearings! Or tires!

Thanks for the tips. I'll update as I figure it out.

[crabtruck]

Hey Joe, welcome to the forum.
If your park lamps light, some of the more twisted wiring is not needing a look,
and circuit is good through the 20A(or 30A) underhood park lamps fuse.

If your ashtray lamp or power locks are working, that would mean that
power is making it through the auto/park/hdlght switch and
the 10A IntPk fuse in the left bussed fuse center.

If the power is present at the 10A ILLUM fuse in that left fuse cntr,
then the rest of your dimmer switch is ok. If not, there's the problem.

That output feeds the Body Control mod and coincidently, a radio input.
Also most of the interior pilot lamps
It can be found at mid bussed elect cntr with 6 connection points,
four of which may have 2 or more wires depending on options present.
Think that basically you'd want to see power on one of the gray wires there.

Most likely either that ILLUM fuse is blown, or the dimmer switch is bad.
Happy hunting.

[87c10slammer]

i would search a junk yard for the dimmer switch you need and take it out there. this way you have a good idea of what your doing without busting your ride up. it should only be some simple tools. screwdriver philips and flat and some small sockets. they usually dont go bad that soon though but my guess would be the switch.

[Joe]

Thanks for the replies. As it turns out, the deal fell through. Some figures got changed and we just couldn't find common ground. Sooo....I'm still looking for a truck.

Thanks again!

[Joe]

2004 Silverado LS Extended Cab, 5.3, 2WD, 100k miles. Crunching the numbers now...