My company rig is an E350 4x4, automatic, power stroke turbo diesel. One night last Oct the dash lights stopped working, at that time no work had been done to the van in almost two years. When the light switch is pulled out to turn the headlights on the hi-beam indicator turns on and the dash lights stay dark, the hi beam indicator stays on unless the hi-beams are turned on then it goes out, but still no dash lights. The company mechanic said he changed the bulbs behind the dash and replaced the switch, but nothing has changed. Last week while the van was in getting the front end rebuilt, a Ford tech looked at it and told us the circuit board in the dash is faulty and it will be $700-900 to fix. I think there is something being over looked. I have checked and all the running lights, marker lights, turn signals, break lights, and headlights work, but no dash lights. If anyone one has a idea please feel free to contact me.

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o ="">:p></o>:p>

Thanks,

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o ="">:p></o>:p>

E350 4x4

 

Is it just the instrument cluster lights, or the whole dash (including the heat/ac controles)? Also, what year model?

 

The dash lights have their own fused circuit. Replacing the switch was a good move, but obviously not the problem. Someone is going to have to get a voltmeter out and start testing. The first thing I would do is pull the headlight switch back out, but leave it plugged in. Turn the headlights on and probe the dash light wire at the switch for power. If you have power coming out of the headlight switch on the dash light wire, then I would move on to the cluster circuit board.

The tech may be correct and it could be bad, but that doesn't mean you could not fix it. He doesn't have time to mess around with it and wants to replace it, but you probably do have time to test it, and possibly fix it if you find the bad spot.

 

hi, I know this post is kinda old but I am experiencing the same problem with my 1990 econoline e-350 motorhome warrior and my 1989 econoline e-350 motorhome Transvan. I really really want to fix this problem because it is hard enough for me to see the dashboard. The only difference is, sometimes.....not very often, but on a blue moon I am able to get it to work by turning on the lights a time or two. Otherwise, 99% of the time they are dark except for the high beam light. Thank you

 

Check fuse 13 (5amp). The switch may be bad, especially since it has the dimmer rheostat.

Here's the wiring diagram:
https://charm.li/Ford%20Truck/1990/E...tem%20Diagram/

 

thanks for the diagram! I'll let you know if it changes anything. 😉