'99 - Dash/clock not lighting up after headunit install

[reubenc]

Hey guys,

My first post here, recently acquired a '99 SR5 and found this forum right away. Been a Toyota guy for a long time, had a supra for years, but (somewhat reluctantly) traded it up for something a little more practical

The first thing I noticed though was how horrible the stock headunit sounded. I figured that I'd have to replace everything after hearing the speakers distort at 30% volume. Turns out after ripping out the factory amp and putting in another CD player it made a world of difference.

Anyways, to cut to the chase... everything works beautifully now as far as the headunit install goes.

But I just realized now that it's dark, that my dash lights/clock/heater control illumination aren't working. I checked for any obvious fuses on the driver's side panel that I may have blown in process, but they all seem ok. All the warning lights on the dash still work, just not the backlight for the gauges, the a/c or heat, and the clock doesn't work. Maybe something to do with the orange illumination wire? All other electronics seem to be working fine.

I did notice that there was 2 plugs (not the harness plugs, but like the black radio antenna) on the back of the factorty head unit. When the one that isn't for the antenna was not plugged into the back of the stock headunit, it didn't get any power (learned this after realizing I left a CD in it and had to plug it back in... d'oh!).

Could this have something do do with my problem? It's the next thing I'm going to check, but figured I would post here before I took everything apart again as I just finished putting it back together. I did make sure that all the plugs in the back were secure - minus the aforementioned black one - before popping the dash bezel back on.

Any one have any insight or ideas? Thanks in advance!

 

[reubenc]

anyone have any ideas at all?

I took apart the dash again.. checked everything, even put it all back to stock with the amp again to see if it was anything funny with the wiring.

I got the clock to work now,one of the wires just worked itself loose I guess while I was cramming everything back in.

But just the backlight for the gauges and the climate control displays aren't working. Dimmer knob doesn't do anything.

Best I can figure is that it's a fuse, or some wiring that affects both those things? I don't see any blown fuses. Unless there is one/some I don't know about - I've only checked the ones in the panel by the drivers side door under to the left of the steering column.

 

[Markjr]

hey i just replaced my headunit in my 97 sr5 and had a simmiler problem, i went to cut a wire and the power hit the ground. So my cabin light, radio didnt work, it eneded up being a fuse in the engine compartment. If its not that check any loose wire that may be open, my old car had a bare wire touching the back of the headunit and it kept popping fuses till i taped it up.