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Hello all I am new here. I purchased a 1990 F 250 HD with a 5.8 and zf 5speed. love the truck to death, although it is nickel and diming me to death right now. Everything works in this vehicle, I even installed a reman engine. My problem is that the dash lights do not work, including ac panel lights. I traced the circuit. I came to the fuse box and noticed the 5 amp fuse used for the instrument illumation had no power on any side of it, verified first with a test lamp then a voltmeter. Is there any fusable links used for that circuit only? Thanks for any help and direction.
Well it is a 1990 Ford f250, and as far as i can tell i could not find a fuse box underneth the hood ,only fusable links. Maybe I am missing something, is it hidden under something? Any help would be great.
I have a 95 so mine might be a bit different. It should be right where the air filter box is. If not there might be a short in the wire that goes 2 the fuse box under the dash. Did your test light have a good ground? I have had some nuts and bolts not work when cking fuses.
Maybe a bad light switch? Its not turned all the way down is it? Broke wire? I would put 12 volts to each side of the fuse or one side if the fuse is good & see what happens.
Tried a switch that I know is good, Came out of a truck that everything works. I will try putting 12 volt to the fuse. I am just kind of curious because the fuse has no power, only fuse that doesnt, if it had a fuseable link just for that. I did notice that the bed light is inop as well.
You said you tried a known working switch, Did you ck to see if any of the wires were pulled out from the back of the headlight connector, or the multifunction? Id pm subford and ask if he has the wiring diagram for the parking lights, that will help you a bunch.
When you checked the fuse which had no power on either side, did you have the ignition on? Many Ford fuses are powered by another fuse and/or the ignition switch or some other accessory. I usually use a test lite on each side of the fuse as you did, but then try swithing on the ignition and some other main items to see if power to the fuse is switched.
According to the 95 manual, and I don't think that would have changed, power for dash lights comes thru the inside fuse box directly to headlight switch - it does say the dash lights are fused after the light switch also.
Will check 88 manual later today to check differences.