98 Intermittent electrical problems in the dash

[Slidewayzs]

I have a 1998 4Runner. Auto 6 cly.

Some of the lights on the dash quit working. On the fan switch the numbers 1 and 2 went out several times but they are back on now. The light on the rear window defrost button went out. The indicator telling you the rear window defrost was on works and the rear window defrosts works. But the light on the button to turn it on does not work. Now the radio is turning off once in a while.

The clock does not work. I found that it was common for the clock to quit working. So I tired the repair I found on this website. And it worked for about 5 min. After it quit working again I just gave up because I didn’t feel like tearing the dash back apart again. Before the clock totally stopped working it would work intermittently.

Do you guys have any idea where I should start with trying to fix this? Is there a ground wire somewhere I should check out? If so where is it? Any help would be great.
Thanks, Dan.

 

[DM4Runner]

98 intermittent electrical problems in instrument cluster

Curious if you resolved the problem. Mine is a 1998 v6 manual transmission 4runner, 233k mi.

The e-brake light, fuel gauge, water temp gauge and 4wd indicator light will all sporadically not work (all at the same time). If I tap the water temp gauge they all start working.

Lately the tapping is not as effective for the fix and I'm thinking of disassembling the cluster to see if there is a loose contact. If there is a ground wire related to this set of issues, I'd prefer to start there.

My clock also died years ago. I tried to fix a number of times, but it only worked temporarily like yours.

 

[IBallEngineer]

Curious if you resolved the problem. Mine is a 1998 v6 manual transmission 4runner, 233k mi.

The e-brake light, fuel gauge, water temp gauge and 4wd indicator light will all sporadically not work (all at the same time). If I tap the water temp gauge they all start working.

Lately the tapping is not as effective for the fix and I'm thinking of disassembling the cluster to see if there is a loose contact. If there is a ground wire related to this set of issues, I'd prefer to start there.

My clock also died years ago. I tried to fix a number of times, but it only worked temporarily like yours.

Quite the opposite, all those items ground through switches, or senders, and are powered at the instrument cluster through the 10A gauge fuse. However there are other things powered by the same fuse, like the oil pressure light, seat belt, abs and vsc to mention a few. This most likely rules out the fuse and it's connections, but not completely. I would start there anyway, since the other lights wouldn't be on ordinarily, so you don't know if they are being affected. If you can verify the the failure then check for power from the gauge fuse to the cluster. I can't tell you the pin out for a 98, but the 02 diagram shows it to be a black/yellow wire at term12 on connector C29.

op2:

 

[TheDurk]

Quite the opposite, all those items ground through switches, or senders, and are powered at the instrument cluster through the 10A gauge fuse. However there are other things powered by the same fuse, like the oil pressure light, seat belt, abs and vsc to mention a few. This most likely rules out the fuse and it's connections, but not completely. I would start there anyway, since the other lights wouldn't be on ordinarily, so you don't know if they are being affected. If you can verify the the failure then check for power from the gauge fuse to the cluster. I can't tell you the pin out for a 98, but the 02 diagram shows it to be a black/yellow wire at term12 on connector C29.

op2:

On 1998, it is a black/yellow on Pin 5 of connector C11. C11 is a blue connector with one row of 13 pins. Latch on top, looking at the front (where the holes are), Pin 1 is on the left, 13 on right.

 

[DM4Runner]

On 1998, it is a black/yellow on Pin 5 of connector C11. C11 is a blue connector with one row of 13 pins. Latch on top, looking at the front (where the holes are), Pin 1 is on the left, 13 on right.

Thanks. I'll start there and work towards the cluster.

 

[derek13]

Did you ever figure this out?
My 98 is doing the same thing. Gas guage, temp guage, 4wheel drive indicator light, rear defroster, e-brake, and seatbelt light all sporadically won't work.
1998 SR5
275,000 miles

 

[TheDurk]

Did you ever figure this out?
My 98 is doing the same thing. Gas guage, temp guage, 4wheel drive indicator light, rear defroster, e-brake, and seatbelt light all sporadically won't work.
1998 SR5
275,000 miles

I would not expect that guy to answer any time soon:

Last Activity: 11-12-2017 08:13 PM

 

[evilrho]

Intermittent Electrical Dash Problem

Did you ever figure this out?
My 98 is doing the same thing. Gas guage, temp guage, 4wheel drive indicator light, rear defroster, e-brake, and seatbelt light all sporadically won't work.
1998 SR5
275,000 miles

Same issue here. In fact, I think I was the DM4Runner guy - forgot I posted that! Anyway, been living with it all this time. Just wondered if anyone made any progress on this. I've inspected the back of the gauge cluster and tried all sorts of things to no avail.