Instrument panel lights not working
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Senior User
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Instrument panel lights not working
When I turn my parking lights or headlights on, my lights on the dash dont come on. The lighter doesnt work either or the radio illumination. So I checked the fuse and it is good. I used a light tester and found that I wasnt getting any power to the fuse box. For testing, I ran a hot wire to the fuse for the dash lights and everything works. So, some how the fuse box is not getting power from the headlight switch. Anyone have any idea?
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Western N.C.
According to the wiring diagram I have, the fuses for the cigarette lighter and the hazard/stop lights are on a direct hot (yellow/black) line from the ignition switch. The light switch gets its power from a branch (black/orange) off that line, which it then directs to all of your interior lights.
First, the lighter. Do your hazard lights work? If they do, you have power on that line, which it shares with the lighter, and either the fuse for the lighter is blown, or the lighter itself is simply not functioning.
Next, the radio illumination. What kind of radio do you have? The one that was in my truck had its own illumination source, independent from the instrument lights. Whenever the radio was on, the light was on.
Finally, the instrument lights. This may be a stupid question, but have you tried turning the headlight switch **** with the lights on? It controls the brightness of the instrument lights. Barring that test, it sounds like either your switch is going bad or you have a broken wire to the fuse box. If your running lights and headlights work, then the switch itself is getting power...it just isn't being transferred to the fuse box.
First, the lighter. Do your hazard lights work? If they do, you have power on that line, which it shares with the lighter, and either the fuse for the lighter is blown, or the lighter itself is simply not functioning.
Next, the radio illumination. What kind of radio do you have? The one that was in my truck had its own illumination source, independent from the instrument lights. Whenever the radio was on, the light was on.
Finally, the instrument lights. This may be a stupid question, but have you tried turning the headlight switch **** with the lights on? It controls the brightness of the instrument lights. Barring that test, it sounds like either your switch is going bad or you have a broken wire to the fuse box. If your running lights and headlights work, then the switch itself is getting power...it just isn't being transferred to the fuse box.
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Ok. By looking at my owner's manual, it says that there is a 3 Amp fuse for "Inst. PNL." It says that this fuse controls Instrument Panel & Cluster Lamps, Ash Tray, Transmission Indicator Lamp, Radio Lamp, Heater, A/C Lamp, Headlamp & Wiper Illumination. All of the things mentioned dont work. Thats why when I put power to that fuse everything turned on and worked. The cigarette lighter worked after I did that. So I am thinking that something is cut or came unconnected somewhere.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 741
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From: Western N.C.
Ok. By looking at my owner's manual, it says that there is a 3 Amp fuse for "Inst. PNL." It says that this fuse controls Instrument Panel & Cluster Lamps, Ash Tray lamp, Transmission Indicator Lamp, Radio Lamp, Heater lamp, A/C Lamp, Headlamp & Wiper Illumination. All of the things mentioned dont work. Thats why when I put power to that fuse everything turned on and worked. The cigarette lighter worked after I did that. So I am thinking that something is cut or came unconnected somewhere.
Alright, pull the fuse box and check for 1. corrosion on the back and 2. loose connections at the black/yellow and blue/red wires.
If those are OK, double check the yellow wire coming from the ignition switch and see if it is loose or broken. This is the wire that provides power to both the light switch and the lighter/hazard lights.
If it's OK, pull the plug from the headlight switch and check the connections on the black/orange wire and the blue/red wire.
Post your results.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Riverview, FL
maybe the wire is broke or corroded inside the casing. I would use a tester and start testing the wire from the fuse all the way to the cluster.
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Senior User
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Well, I know it works from the fuse to the cluster. When I put a hot wire on the fuse, the lights all turned all like they were supposed to. It is somewhere between the light switch and fuse.
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Seems like a need a new headlight switch. I pulled the fuse box and it all looks good. Hooked juice up to the fuse and the lights work in the dash. So it seems like juice isn't getting from the headlight switch to the fuse box. Anyone have any suggestions?
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 198
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From: Tucson, AZ
I'v never changed one, but i have read in other post that their is a button on the back of the switch you have to push down to get it out. If you dont already know how to do this im sure a search will bring up a ton of stuff to help you out.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Indiana, PA
It is directly above dead center of the light switch right behind the ridge you see here on the light switch.
