Dash Lights wont work post new stereo install

2

2005pa4runner

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Just installed a new head unit in my 2005 4runner. The aftermarket wiring harness had two orange wires labelled "dimmer". I connected the wires, installed the stereo and all works great except.......the dash gauge lights worked opposite (on when lights off, off when lights on). I figured its related to the orange wires. I disconnected the wire and...the gauge lights don't come on at all. All other lights work as expected, including the dimmer. Tried reinstalling the factory head unit, but still having the same problem.

Thank for your assistance in advance.
 
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Installed my radio and had the exact same problem. So I checked everything. After much debate I reinstalled the original radio to see if It was something with the new harness. Nope gauge lights still did not work. WTF ? So I reinstalled my new radio and wired my dash lights to a 12v source in the dash. So the dash lights are always on no matter what. Night and day. I love it this way. And my radio dims with lights turned on. Also grounded out my tpms sensor light when I was at it. Now I no longer need to install the sensors when I replace tires!
 
Tried

thanks all for the suggestions. Still no dash lights. No fuse blew. Just as an fyi. The idiot I am, I connected two orange wires from the same wiring harness. Strange thing is, if I connect them, the dash lights up but......only when the light switch is in the "off" position. Stumped...
 
Do u have a volt meter or test light to probe each fuse inside and outside fuse box, also dont hook both orange wire on the harness, one is positive control and the other is negative control, have u verify the dimmer switch is on max fully up position? What aftermarket deck do you have? Make and model and what brand harness did you use? Also was the old stereo a regular or a jbl?
 
riceandpho said:
Do u have a volt meter or test light to probe each fuse inside and outside fuse box, also dont hook both orange wire on the harness, one is positive control and the other is negative control, have u verify the dimmer switch is on max fully up position? What aftermarket deck do you have? Make and model and what brand harness did you use? Also was the old stereo a regular or a jbl?
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Here the skinny, kenwood stereo (kdcbt652u), regular toyota stereo (hooked back up but still not dashlights). Just in case, replaced all the fuses. Yup dimmer positive and negative were hooked together which caused this whole scenario. Dimmer is turned all the way up. The harness, dont recall. But still, no gauge lights. Thanks
 
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2005pa4runner said:
Just installed a new head unit in my 2005 4runner. The aftermarket wiring harness had two orange wires labelled "dimmer". I connected the wires, installed the stereo and all works great except.......the dash gauge lights worked opposite (on when lights off, off when lights on). I figured its related to the orange wires. I disconnected the wire and...the gauge lights don't come on at all. All other lights work as expected, including the dimmer. Tried reinstalling the factory head unit, but still having the same problem.

Thank for your assistance in advance.
Click to expand...

Did you ever find a solutions for this? I have the same problem. Had shop install a Pioneer headunit. The display lights were not working. They pulled the bulbs and both were blown. However, when I dropped the car off, one side was still working leading me to believe the installation caused the other bulb to burn out. Or its crazy coincidence. Then I installed LED's but they didnt' light up. Thinking about buying OEM bulbs to test if they will work at this point.
 
Ignore that last comment. Just dont hook it up to both and try each one individually and I am sure it will work.

Post a picture of your wiring harness and I will be able to help more.
 
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zopperman said:
Which wiring harness did you use? My tyto-01 didn't have a dimmer wire..
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2008_4Runner_Sport said:
Ignore that last comment. Just dont hook it up to both and try each one individually and I am sure it will work.

Post a picture of your wiring harness and I will be able to help more.
Click to expand...

TBH I had it installed at the shop so no idea about the dimmer. I may take it back to the shop and tell them to try and play around with the dimmer wire. I'm assuming that playing with the dimmer wire on the harness resoled the issue, right?
 
When you pull the shroud off from in front of your gauges, check to see if the blue connector is plugged into the dimmer. I've had a gauge customer before get all pissy because his gauges wouldn't light up.... He didn't plug that harness back in haha
 
Not sure what's been mentioned in this thread, but many people will wind up using a hot lead from the dimmer that turns into a ground when you turn the dash lights on. I've seen melted harnesses from this before... especially when someone that doesn't understand electrical thinks it is acceptable to just put in a bigger fuse.
 
Chicagobob said:
TBH I had it installed at the shop so no idea about the dimmer. I may take it back to the shop and tell them to try and play around with the dimmer wire. I'm assuming that playing with the dimmer wire on the harness resoled the issue, right?
Click to expand...

I apologize for the misdirection, I didn't mean ignore his comment. i had posted one and meant to say ignore mine but then deleted it. Hope this works out.
 
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