'89 dash lights go out w/ lights on

[sebringdroptop]

New here w/ a question. I searched and didn't find the answer I was looking for.

My buddies '89 Chevy 1500 dash lights go out when he turns on his headlights. He called the dealer and they said it was a common problem and would cost about $300 to fix. I couldn't find a TSB on dash lights. Does anybody have any info on this. I'm an electronics tech and I was going to open his cluster for him and see if there are any broken solder runs or connection, but I was hoping for a little specific knowledge on the subject.

Thanks in advanced for any help.

[LS6TT]

On my gauge cluster when i removed the dash it grounded out and fried a circuit..it made it where it wouldnt hold charge and made it where when i turned the headlights on the dash lights went off..and they were on when the headlight switch was off

Remove the cluster and see if anything is wrong..i was told that static electricity could hurt the cluster dont know if there was any but thats a start

[crossifiso]

just check all the lights bulb inside the cluster i had the same problem and one of the lights was off i replace and it work.
there is 9 of the lights and check them all..