I've had my dash torn apart for a little bit diagnosing a separate fuel gauge issue. I've sense fixed it but ever since I've had my truck the background dash lights haven't worked. I've checked power on all terminals on the fuse block and there is power going in and out on all. I've changed the headlight switch and also checked the socket and lights on the back of the cluster. I used my probe to check all the contacts on the main plug that goes to the cluster. Some are constant hot some are not hot at all. I've found the turn signals.



Does anyone know which wire powers the running lights on the dash that I could backtrack? Absolutely everything else works minus the illumination lights.

 

Btw a little cleaning and orange paint cleaned her right up

 

Maybe this will help?

 

Should be blue with a red stripe.

Nice job on the gauge needles!
Mine desperately need that treatment, so now I'm kicking myself, like I knew I would the last time I had the cluster out...

 

Awesome thanks

 

Found it. Bad connection behind fuse box. Once I got power to the dash I trouble shot my sockets which I have a few bad. All are figured out except the light centered below the speedo doesn't work. Should that come on with the two blue illuminating lights? Also if I remove the blue lenses how much brighter would that make the dash?

 

Excellent work!
Not sure. I googled and saw cluster backs with no hole there - but with a hole in the IP PCB floppy printed circuit board! The positive trace appeared to go to its own exclusive terminal at the connector 'jack.' I don't remember if mine has that bulb or not.
If you're using LEDs, maybe the polarity is 180º out on the one which isn't working.
When I trouble shot and fixed my cluster illumination, I tested from the board to the bulbs, and cleaned up all contacts.
I've read that it does quite a bit, but it seems like it might not look right. Mine were all dusty and dirty, so I cleaned them. I wonder if one could polish/buff them to a more transparent state? I've seen some in newer vehicles which were much more transparent, so I'd imagine they could be retrofitted.

 

I just used the white 194 replacement leds with the blue filters left in. I only wiped the dust from them. I like the result. The lights are much brighter. My plastic backing is in such bad shape that I decided while I had it out to change all of the bulbs to leds until I can replace it. Just make sure that the main plug is in there secure. Mine was just loose enough after replacing the bulbs that the fuel and temp gauges would not work in the morning. After sitting in the parking lot at work all day they would work fine. I immediately suspected the ICVR but decided to check the simple things first. I guess the extreme temperatures down here caused some movement in the plug allowing a better connection. I also greased the speedo cable, cleaned the wipers and light switches.

 

Got em done. However they are visable but are kinda dim. I am thinking that I need to look for a brighter bulb to put into the blue sockets. But I'm just glad I got everything figured out for now! Top pick is with ignition off and just the lights turned on. Bottom is ignition on and the tac lit up which at night I think will drown out the dash.

 

FYI, on the dash bulbs, I discovered these after I already spent more than this for 6 replacement non-LED ones at Autozone. Wish I would have found these sooner as my dash is really dim too.

 

You guys probably know this but others may not. Turning the headlight **** will brighten/dim the cluster lights.

 

Yes mine barely has any adjustment

 

Do you happen to have a picture what they look like in your truck?

 

I didn't get them unfortunately. I'd already spent money and replaced them with the non-LED ones from Autozone since the LED ones there were something like $12 for 2. I'll probably replace them with the Amazon ones at some point.

 

I'll post a picture of mine once it gets dark after I take a picture. The Autozone LEDs with the blue filters are much brighter. I'd have bought the Amazon package if I'd have seen them first.