My "new to me" 1994 Ranger's dash lights gave out on me sometime this week. I noticed it on my way to work in town last night and any help would be appreciated in chasing down the cause. I'm thinking it may be something other than the bulbs, because some of the the dash lights still work (speedometer, heater, high-beam indicator, and all the warning lights that come on when the key is turned to the on position). The ones that quit are on the left and right of the speedometer. Dome, glove compartment, and map lights work, as does the cargo light and every other electrical switch I've tried (headlights, wipers, radio). The only lights that are out are the ones that illuminate the gauges to the left and right of the speedometer.

Now, I'm of the opinion that it's a bit odd that two lights would go out at the same time... and I'm assuming there ARE two different lights to light the gauges, so I'm looking for any other things I should be on the lookout for before taking the dash apart to replace them. Not saying I won't do so if it comes to that: just wanna be sure that it's what needs done.

Also something else that might have a bearing on the situation... about the same time I noticed that the lights went dark, it occurred to me that the chimes that sounded when the key was in the ignition and the headlights on when the door was opened quit chiming. Not sure if the two things are connected or not.

I looked over the fuses (as best I could in the dark with a flashlight, anyway) but nothing obvious jumped out as a problem area. Should I give this a closer look, or just bite the bullet and start pulling the dash apart? And if it comes to that, just how big a pain in the butt is it to change the bulbs? I have'nt found any obvious way that the dash panel comes out... no screws, etc. Is there some sort of trick to it?

Thanks for any help you can give me on this problem.


FF

 

I had the same thing happen to me many moons ago, and in my case it was the bulbs. I don't recall the number of bulbs but if memory serves me correctly it seem like there was around five. Best to replace all of em!

Don't know what to tell you about the chime stopping. I do know the gauge cluster is a pain to get out and my only advice to give is don't get erked and break it trying to get it out and remember exactly how you finally get it out. I wish I could remember if I tilted it out at the top or bottom to finally get it. Don't forget to disconnect everything including the shifter cable.

Good luck!

 

Get cooking and find the EVTM manual for your truck. (electrical, vacuum, troubleshooting manual) The one I have for my truck is great. It will show you all the stuff and how it is connected. Your truck may have a GEM module, a fancy name for Generic Electric Module, that controls chimes, interior light operation, and other things depending on your model/year.
As far as I know, the bulbs just died at the same time, though I have one on my 85 on the speedo side that comes and goes as it pleases. Ditto the High Beam indicator. The backside of the instrument panel has a plastic sheet coated with conductors to form the circuit for lights and instrument readings. I think the contacts can get flaky, or wear a hole in the conductive material, so I am ignoring my intermittent. Yours sound like the bulbs went belly up.
tom

 

Check the fuse then interior lights are on seperate fuse.