Hey all. Recently picked up a '80 4x4 after my '81 caught a tree in the last hurricane, and I'm having some interesting issues getting it past inspection.
Worked over the exterior lights and wiring this last weekend, got everything outside squared away. Now for the interior stuff.
When I cut the headlights on, none of the cluster backlights (speedo, gas, temp) come on. The light above the heater does come on, and dims with the dimmer knob. The brake, oil, charge lights all work, just no backlights.
Of course I checked the bulbs and the fuses, even replaced the old 10A one that control the dash lights just in case.
I switched out the cluster panel with a spare (I wanted the tach!) but the backlights still aren't working.
Any ideas, or something to try? Are the circular plugs that go on the back of the cluster available anywhere?
The one on my wiring is pretty old and loose, sometimes the gas gauge registers and sometimes not.
Any help will be appreciated, its mostly just creepy at night, driving with minimal interior lighting.

 

BUMP ! I am also having this issue with my 82'. My seat belt, blinkers, oil lights work but not my speedometer and tach, etc. Anyone have any idea ? I am also having trouble removing the cluster as I can't get it out far enough to disconnect everything.

 

So rather randomly, the cluster backlights started working, and a mega electrical cluster has ensued.
My alternator died, so I replaced it and the voltage regulator. Replaced the voltage regulator twice with crappy autozone ones, then bought the toyota one. My charging system is still not working correctly, the heat is running full blast by its own choice, and the gagues are not working, even though the backlights work. I'm pretty sure theres a short between my voltage regulator and the battery, and that the heat is not related but is also an issue.

I know its not much help, but i know that the circular plug that connects the wiring harness to mine was very loose. I cleaned the connections the best that I could and that seemed to help some. According to the wiring diagram, I think you are supposed to check the connections at the headlight switch next. I'm sure you replaced your fuse, right?

 

i had such problem as emilym .. just remove the cruster and fix the ground