high beam indicator intermittent issue

[Slobo]

Sometimes my high beam indicator works but also when I put my high beams on, the gear indicator will go out in the dash and I have no high beam indicator either until I turn highs off, gear indicator comes back. I pulled the cluster out and swapped some bulbs around but not new ones but it still happens, going to get some LEDs swapped in just dont know about the gear indicator problem. I have a 98 4cyl 2WD auto 150k oohh yeeah I think the last time the high indicator worked the gear indicator stayed on as well. I think my headlights are stock, just got this runner a month ago.

 

[pluton]

It is best to identify your truck so the folks here can offer relevant advice. Put it in the signature and you won't have to type it every time you post.
May I presume the 'gear indicator' is something from an auto trans?
I have not dealt with the issue you describe, but personally I'd be hesitant to install fancy LEDs before fixing the crossed-wire issue you have described. Look for missing/faulty grounds. Then again, you might accidentally fix it while installing the LEDs.

 

[TheDurk]

It is best to identify your truck so the folks here can offer relevant advice. Put it in the signature and you won't have to type it every time you post.
May I presume the 'gear indicator' is something from an auto trans?
I have not dealt with the issue you describe, but personally I'd be hesitant to install fancy LEDs before fixing the crossed-wire issue you have described. Look for missing/faulty grounds. Then again, you might accidentally fix it while installing the LEDs.

....also need to know if you have DRLs.

 

[Slobo]

No DRL

 

[phattyduck]

There is a possibility that the flex circuit board on the back of your gauge cluster is bad. There are multiple versions depending on year/trim, but it looks like this:

Don't swap LEDs into any of the indicator light locations - in some cases, they are an integral part of a circuit and LEDs won't work in those positions. LEDs for backlighting is fine.

-Charlie

 

[TheDurk]

No DRL

Here is the circuit diagram for the '98 cluster.

Charlie is probably right, but the trans and the headlights use separate grounds, so if one is funky, then weird stuff can happen. Trans control circuit grounds to the engine intake manifold and the lights ground in the left hand cowl panel. The former often causes weird problems and is often left loose when people change plugs. The latter is rarely a problem unless there is a rain leak.

 

[Slobo]

http://i.imgur.com/6qBbtNl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/afDfLQR.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/WOjNEUm.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/7p4er56.jpg

 

[Slobo]

Everything "looks" okay, got some new bulbs installed, going to try it out

 

[phattyduck]

Mine looked just fine too (I even have access to a microscope on the electronics bench at work...) - but that doesn't mean it is ok. It started happening soon after my 4WD swap where I pulled the gauge cluster to replace burnt bulbs (possibly stressing the flex PCB). Check all the stuff that TheDurk pointed out first to make sure it isn't a 'free' problem to fix.

In my case, the reverse lights (and dash indicator) would turn on dim with the left turn signal, among other weird problems. ('99, so different gauge cluster setup).

-Charlie