64 Valiant. No dash lights, no power to fuse.

[Wally-T]

Hi folks. When I bought this car it had no dash lights so I don't know the history of the problem.
When I tested for power there was nothing at the fuse, in or out. I moved the 2 amp fuse to the cigarette lighter slot and jumpered the dash lights from there but still no lights.
I know I could be dealing with one or all of at least three problems here.
1. The already known power loss
2. All of the bulbs are toast
3. Circuit board
There could be a fourth, maybe I'm putting power to the wrong terminal...That fuse panel is a little bit confusing for such a simple car, at least to me it is.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Wally

 

[67Dart273]

Here is how the instrument lights work:

First there are TWO separate and distinct power sources TO the headlight switch
1....Headlight power comes UNFUSED from the ammeter circuit. The only protection is the main fuse link, and a circuit breaker built into/ onto the light switch. This powers ONLY the headlights, nothing else

2....Power to the headlight switch from the tail light fuse (you'll have to look up which fuse in your car) This powers the tail lamps, parking lamps, AND THE INSTRUMENT LAMPS

Power from the tail light circuit goes through the switch, to the dimmer control, out the dimmer contron on a TAN wire and goes TO the small instrument fuse in the fuse box. From there, all dimmer controlled lighting is orange wiring

FOR THAT FUSE to be "hot" (has power)
A....The tail light circuit fuse must be providing power to the light switch, in other words the tail lamps must be working

B...The light switch must be on, either park or headlamps

C...The dimmer control must be twisted "somewhat" to the left

The closest service manual over at MyMopar is for a 65, not sure how close that might be. They also have aftermarket diagrams, here is 64:

Looks like tail light power is from the fuse panel PINK which is the second fuse from the left as pictured. Your instrument fuse is at far left. You can see the tan, which is coming FROM the dimmer control

http://www.mymopar.com/downloads/1964/64ValiantA.jpg

http://www.mymopar.com/downloads/1964/64ValiantB.jpg