01 chevy 1500 electrical problems

[01chevy1500]

none of my interior lights work when my headlights are on. this includes radio, climate controls, instrument cluster. headlight switch is good. fuses are good. help!

[Meccboy]

Sounds like a blown 5 amp fuse for the dash backlighting, or a bad dimmer switch.
check the 5 and 2 amp fuses in the left side dash fuse box.

[01chevy1500]

i already checked all the fuses and the switch. anything else

[Meccboy]

OK.
If you tested for a varying voltage from the switch when adjusting the dimmer, then may have a broken wire (tan) after the switch, or possibly a splice before all the components.

[01chevy1500]

do you know where i can find a good wiring diagram? ive been to alldata and shopkey and neither of them are at all helpful.

[Meccboy]

Probably going to have to get a hold of a Chiton or Motor manual.
Try going to your local dealer. Go ask a Tech if he could get you a quick printout of the circuit.
I have done that for people before.
Not a big deal. Most guys are happy to help.

[jeffcarter629]

I started up my 2006 Silverado after sitting idle for a while and when I put it in gear, the whole electric system died and the engine cut off.

[carriedi]

so what happened next? Did you restart it? Did the electrical come back on? or is it still 'everything dead?

First thing I would look at is your battery cable connections and battery voltage

[jeffcarter629]

All cable are fine. It's still dead.

[carriedi]

okay, since you have full battery voltage from the battery cable to the fuse box under the hood, we should start from there.

check the Ignition B fuse (IGN B, 40 amp). that fuse that supplies battery voltage to the run and start part of the ignition switch. check ignition A fuse (IGN A 40, amp) that supplies the power to the start part of the ignition switch. If the fuses has battery power on both sides you will need to check the wires at the ignition switch.

both fuses use red wires going up to the ignition switch. So, check to verify you have battery voltage on both the red wires. If they both have battery voltage then the next thing to check is the wires going out of the ignition switch. The Pink and the yellow wires going out of the ignition switch. The pink should have battery voltage in run and in start. The yellow should have battery voltage in start.

That will check the things between the battery posts through the ignition switch. If everything checks out good it gets very complicated from there. When you check the battery cables you should check for full battery voltage between the engine block and the positive battery cable on the starter and body ground and the positive battery cable where it connects to the underhood fuse panel.