instrument lights and running lights problems--- need help!

[drisin80]

hi -- i am trying to sort out two lighting issues which may or may not have a common origin. to sum it up-- i have no instrument backlighting, and no running lights (marker lights). as for the instrument lighting-- it is only the backlighting which won't work. as for the running lights , all four corners are out, but everything else works perfectly (flashers, back-up lights, headlights high and low, etc) i previously had a battery short out - which caused some damage to unswitched components, such as the porsche factory alarm, and aftermarket alarm, and the wiring to the alternator. after replacing these items, i thought i had it sorted out, but was wrong. all other systems on car now work perfectly, including all warning lights on instruments. i was looking at the wiring diagrams, and decided to start at the main light switch and work from there. i have a copy of the wiring diagrams. if anyone has any ideas as to what would be the best way to proceed, or if anyone has removed the light switch, or done anything around these areas---suggestions would be greatly appreciated. thanks--------------tom

[Don Plumley]

Could you tell us year and model?

Sounds like a basic short...

[drisin80]

hi-- 1990 c4 cab. thanks---tom

[drisin80]

forgot to add--- i had an aftermarket alarm system removed over the winter by a supposed expert. is it common for these alarms to be wired into the lighting??? it just occurred to me that maybe something was not spliced back together. at any rate, i am going to remove the lower dash so that i can get under there and take a proper look around on saturday. tom

[Don Plumley]

That sounds like the smoking gun...