Dash Lights Are Out...

[wantahertzdonut]

I went out at night the other day and discovered all my dash lights are out. I'm not guessing it's the bulb since I assume there are more than one, and my fuse is good.

Does the dimmer switch ever go bad? I've never had this happen before so I'm really not sure where to start.

My radio, cigarette lighter, and clock still work.

Where do I start?

 

[Bad_Vision]

yup the dimmer switch can cause this issue i have had it before.

 

[fourwd1]

Is it just the lights in the instrument cluster panel, or all over, like the AC/Heat control panel, etc?

 

[wantahertzdonut]

Is it just the lights in the instrument cluster panel, or all over, like the AC/Heat control panel, etc?

All the lights. Dash, ac/heat panel, etc. Come to think of it, the radio doesn't light up either, but I'm not sure it ever worked. The clock does work however.

 

[wantahertzdonut]

yup the dimmer switch can cause this issue i have had it before.

How would I check for proper function? I don't want to just start buying switches only to find it's another problem.

 

[92-SR5]

Have you checked all your fuses?

 

[Bad_Vision]

Get a volt meter and check if the current passes through the switch if not then its bad if it does then your problem lays elsewhere

 

[fourwd1]

Disconnect the dimmer rheostat and jump the 2 pins in the connector, on the harness side (not the rheostat itself). That should give you full brightness if the dimmer is the problem.

 

[wantahertzdonut]

[No message]

 

[wantahertzdonut]

[No message]

 

[wantahertzdonut]

Will try this again. Seems the board posing errors are getting the best of me!

I have been out of town for a bit and haven't gotten back into this till now.

I found in addition to my dash lights, my taillights and license plate lights are out. I have brake lights and headlights but nothing else. Turn signals and reverse lights are ok.

After looking at a wiring diagram in my Haynes book, I'm beginning to wonder if it's the taillight relay? It's the only common thing between the dash and taillights. The trouble is I have no idea where this is located. Anybody know?

For what it's worth, I have an aftermarket trailer hookup installed, I'm going to remove it just to see if that's one extra thing causing the problem. I'll be selling the truck soon anyway so I won't need it on there. I'll check back if that's the cause of this.