dash lights not working (andrewkittens solved: junction block burnt)

[gone.cb]

Hi
I have a 2004 Aveo LS
Last night on my way home my dash lights didn't come on. The manual calls it the instrument panel cluster.
Last Wednesday I accidentally left my headlights on for a couple of hours and when I came back to my car it started fine but I noted that the tail lights on the passenger side was out and the turn signal indicator in the front passenger side were also not working. Now this. Are all these problems related? Could the fix be as simple as changing a fuse?
I tried to search for this problem in the forums but the search function here isn't very 'friendly' so feel free to refer me to a similar thread if one exists.
Thanks!

[daug1502]

I would start with the fuse, but it may be the switch in your steering column, or a short. I haven't had the steering column apart yet so I don't know how difficult the switches are to change. Also it's not very common for them to go out but it does happen. I'd look the wiring over before I change it. Those are my thoughts, hope it helps.

[thehunterooo]

A fuse is my guess, and the best place to start at.

[Andrewkittens]

i am having the exact same problem right now with my 2005 LS!
passenger tail light and turn signal and all the backlights in the dash.
its been goin in and out for a few weeks now, all my fuses are good,
a friend said it might be a bad ground?
is that a possibility?

[petrified.rabbit]

it could be grounds, but then it is not related as the lights outside the car do not share the ground with the cluster.

[daug1502]

I had a similar problem with a honda. The break light indicator was always on, and the dash lights would go out once in a while. My dad drove the car to work one morning in the winter and lost them. This turned out to be a relay somewhere in the car that was bad and causing problems all the way through the lighting. I don't know exactly how or what part as it was the owner behind me that fixed i (traded it to a dealer and one of their workers bought the car)

I don't know if we have a box like that in these cars, and for 2 people to have the same problem is a little curious. I'm still not wanting to rule out the steering column switch in either case. those can cause some funky effects as well, and do control almost all the lights in the car.

[Andrewkittens]

anyone wanna do some homework for me and find out which relay could be associated?

[Andrewkittens]

nevermind, i check all my relays, all working fine. i checked the bulbs in the taillights and the gaugecluster as well, no shorts there, tomorrow im checking out the bulbs in the turn signals and the leds for the backlights for the AC and heater knobby thingy console. something tells me its probably more complicated than a burnt out bulb though.*just checked,*turn signal bulbs are good.

[daug1502]

I'm still saying check that switch. Just have to take the cover from around the steering column, behind the steering wheel off to get to it.

[Andrewkittens]

im going to check the switch tomorrow morning, if it is the problem, should i try to find a different switch?, because im not sure i can take it apart to find the contacts without breaking it.