Instrument cluster lighting
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Joined: Jun 2003
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Instrument cluster lighting
On my 1999 F-150, i noticed that when i would turn my lights on at night, that the light that lights up the speedometer and etc.. would not come on(dimmer light). I took the fuse out which is a 5amp, and sure enough it was burned. So i put another one in, and it burned up to. I shook those wires right under the dash, and put another fuse in, and it would work for a day before blowing again. I think i have a short somewhere. Ive tried different size fuses, and still no good. Is there anything that i can do so i would not have to take it into a shop.
Thanks,
Steve
Thanks,
Steve
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
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Instrument cluster lighting
You could pull the instrument cluster out or be trouble-shooting up under the dash looking for the shorted wire.
The circuit has any light that dims with switch on it.
Cluster, Ash tray(if equipped)
The circuit has any light that dims with switch on it.
Cluster, Ash tray(if equipped)
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,673
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From: Chicago Area
Instrument cluster lighting
Please don't "try different size fuses"! The fuses are a certain size based on the wiring and other components in each circuit. If you put a larger one in, it could lead to a fire!
What you need to find is somewhere that the wire is touching the body. This allows the current to flow with little or none of the resistance that a bulb or other load provides. The current flow then becomes very large and can "fry" things. The fuse is meant to prevent this.
Look for areas that the wire's insulation may have been cut or worn. There are devices called short finders, but I think they're costly.
If the problem isn't obvious, take it in to a good mechanic. Shorts around gasoline can be very dangerous.
What you need to find is somewhere that the wire is touching the body. This allows the current to flow with little or none of the resistance that a bulb or other load provides. The current flow then becomes very large and can "fry" things. The fuse is meant to prevent this.
Look for areas that the wire's insulation may have been cut or worn. There are devices called short finders, but I think they're costly.
If the problem isn't obvious, take it in to a good mechanic. Shorts around gasoline can be very dangerous.
Last edited by MrBSS; Jun 17, 2003 at 04:09 PM.
