My dash lights went out and the fuse is fine. Any ideas?

 

Umm this seems obvious, but is the dimmer turned down. about 15 years ago a good friend came over to my house w/out dash lights. we looked and looked, but couldn't figure out the problem. It was the dimmer

 

As much as I wouldlike to believe that... I doubt that is what happened. It shut off while I was driving to work. I will check that theory with my fingures crossed, but I fear something more complex.

 

all the dash lights or just one section? cuz obviously then it would be a bulb out

 

The wires could have broken or fallen off the dimmer switch. Find a common wire that they share, which I believe is a ground. Check the wires coming into the dimmer switch with a test light. A wiring diagram would be helpful.

 

Nope... the whole darn panel. The idiot lights still work and turn signal lights work, but the back lighting is gone.

 

I haven't broken out the Haynes manual, yet, but I will get time tonight to check it out a littl more in depth.

 

*BUMP*

No more ideas?

 

Try taking a test light and grounding one end. Test the wires coming into the dimmer switch to see if it has power. If it does, then you really narrowed down the problem. If it does not, then check the relay, which would probably be the headlight relay. Also check the fuse connector slot with the test light to see if it is getting power.

 

Note: The fuse marked for dash lights has nothing to do with the illumination. Those lights fall under the same catagory as tail lights, it would seem.

I saw my wife drive off in my truck last Friday night and noticed my tail lights were out. Checked the fuse... sure enough. Switched it out and all my dash lights are back to normal.

 

I had this problem with my 90 Runner. Do you have a anfter market cd player instaled? If so, Check to see if the positive dimmer wire is exposed. Mine kept grounding to the body because I didn't cover the end of the wire causing it know out my dash lights.

Hope this was a help...

John

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I should read the entire post before posting a answer....