Help- Fried Speedo Wire?

[carnutzzz]

I pulled a boner.

While my speedo was out getting repaired at N. Hollywood I decided to pull the car out and wash it. When I went to pull it back in it had grown dark and I instinctively switched on the headlights. In almost an instant the 3 bare bulbs that were dangling through the empty hole in the dash winked-out.

All other gauges light-up, it appears though that the speedo is no longer getting power. I have not yet tried to hook it up since I figured that was a pointless exercise if the bulbs wont light-up.

I inspected the few visible inches of wiring before they disappear into the sheathing and no signs of trauma.

What/where should I check next? What do you reckon I did?

Cnutzzz

[schumicat]

if the speedometer isn't there the bulbs aren't grounded. without a ground they won't light up.

[E Sully]

The speedometer power is from a different source than the illumination bulbs. They both need a ground to work. The bulbs should light up when the speedometer is connected to ground.

[carnutzzz]

Yep- you guys were right!

I plugged it all back in and it's working like a champ.

Thanks!