Hello, I've got a 1995 Ford Ranger 2wd, 4 cyl. manual transmission truck and
the dashboard has a problem. The illumination bulbs on the dash don't come on
when the headlights are activated. I've checked the fuses, the dimmer switch to be sure it wasn't turned down all the way, and torn apart the dash assembly and replaced all the illumination bulbs, several of which were clearly blown. All the small led's for dummy lights and turn signals and the like all seem to work fine, but there isn't any illumination. Does anyone have any ideas on what to check next? Thanks for any insight.

 

check the wiring

 

Hello and welcome to FTE! The following diagnostics are out of a ‘95 Ford Manual:

Condition: Instrument Cluster Illumination Inoperative

Possible Sources: Illumination bulbs, Instrument cluster printed circuit, Circuit wiring.

Here’s how to test out the circuit:

PINPOINT TEST C: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ILLUMINATION INOPERATIVE

C1 - CHECK CIRCUIT 19 (LB/R) FOR BATTERY VOLTAGE
Gain access to cluster connectors as outlined in Section 13-01 .
Actuate headlamp switch to park lamp position.
Using a Rotunda Digital Volt-Ohmmeter 014-00407 or equivalent connected to a known good ground, check Circuit 19 (LB/R) for voltage.
Is battery voltage present?
Yes
GO to C2 .
No
SERVICE Circuit 19 (LB/R) for open. RETEST system.


C2 - CHECK CLUSTER BULBS
Remove illumination bulbs from instrument cluster .
Check continuity of bulbs.
Do bulbs have continuity?
Yes
GO to C3 .
No
REPLACE burned out bulbs. RETEST system.


C3 - CHECK CIRCUIT 235 (R/BK) FOR BATTERY VOLTAGE
Actuate headlamp switch to park lamp position.
Check Circuit 235 (R/BK) for voltage.
Is battery voltage present?
Yes
GO to C4 .
No
SERVICE Circuit 235 (R/BK) for open. RETEST system.


C4 - CHECK FOR A SHORT CIRCUIT TO GROUND
Key OFF.
Remove pulse width module.
Check Circuits 19 (LB/R) and 235 (R/BK) for continuity to ground.
Is continuity present?
Yes
SERVICE Circuit(s) for a short. RETEST system.
No
GO to C5 .


C5 - CHECK CIRCUIT 1011 (T/O) FOR BATTERY VOLTAGE
Actuate headlamp switch to park lamp position.
Check Circuit 1011 (T/O) for voltage.
Is battery voltage present?
Yes
GO to C7 .
No
GO to C6 .


C6 - CHECK I/P FUSE 7
Actuate headlamp switch to OFF position.
Check fuse 7 located in the I/P fuse panel.
Is fuse 7 open?
Yes
REPLACE fuse. RETEST system.
No
GO to C7 .


C7 - CHECK CIRCUIT 14 (BR) FOR BATTERY VOLTAGE
Actuate headlamp switch to park lamp position.
Back probe Circuit 14 (BR) at the park lamp relay.
Is B+ present?
Yes
GO to C8 .

No
REPLACE park lamp delay relay. RETEST system.


C8 - CHECK CIRCUIT 195 (T/W) FOR BATTERY VOLTAGE
Check Circuit 195 (T/W) for voltage.
Is battery voltage present?
Yes
REPLACE park lamp delay relay. RETEST system.
No
GO to C9 .


C9- CHECK I/P FUSE 3
Check fuse 3 located in the I/P fuse panel.
Is fuse 3 open?
Yes
SERVICE Circuit 195 (T/W) for short to ground.

No
SERVICE Circuit 195 (T/W) for open. RETEST system.

 

I think that if the tail lights are not working, the dash lights won't either. Have you checked to see if you have tail lights?

 

Thanks for the insight, I'll start checking these things out tonight.

 

If the tail lights are out you need to check the ground they have in common.
Located under the hood, driverside, black wire comming out of big loom, comming out about 6 inches, grounded on fender or fenderwell.
dave