Dashboard and Control Panel Lights not working (but tail lights are working)

[pmw42069]

I'm happy to be the brand new owner of a 2000 T4R Limited and a member of this awesome community. You guys have already been so helpful with the info I needed to make an informed purchase.

I was lucky enough to get my 4Runner with all of the important mechanical stuff in working order but I have one big problem: I can't figure out why the dashboard guage cluser and control panel lights where the climate control is won't come on when I turn on the headlights.

I have read through the other threads on this topic and understand that the dash lights run through the tail light circuit, however my tail lights are functional when I turn my headlights on so that leads me to believe it's not a fuse issue.

The vehicle does have an aftermarket head unit and I read the thread where users experienced the same problem, but also with the taillights not working at the same time.

When I turn on the headlights the clock dims as it should.
The PRND lights work.
Possibly related: sometimes when I engage the right turn signal it makes an awful buzzing sound and the signal light on the dash does not flash. This only happens intermittently.
Also the horn is totally missing. They are both just gone and the wires are dangling behind the grill

Does anyone have any other suggestions?

The mechanic who did the PPI on this vehicle said finding and fixing the issue could take hours and cost as much as $1,000. To me that seems excessive.

I'm not very mechanical but this seems like something I could figure out myself if I was just pointed in the right direction.

If anyone has any ideas please let me know. I'm happy to provide any additional info or photos if that's helpful.

 

[Skulking]

The dash lights and climate control lighting are controlled by a rheostat to the left of the steering wheel. Make sure that is on before you dig any further into trouble shooting the lights.

As far as the turn signal, my guess is some sort of relay issue. When the buzzing happens does it sound like it's coming from the drivers kick panel by the fuses? They turn signal relay is in that area.

 

[pmw42069]

The dash lights and climate control lighting are controlled by a rheostat to the left of the steering wheel. Make sure that is on before you dig any further into trouble shooting the lights.

As far as the turn signal, my guess is some sort of relay issue. When the buzzing happens does it sound like it's coming from the drivers kick panel by the fuses? They turn signal relay is in that area.

It's definitely not the dial to the left of the steering wheel. i have tried turning it back and forth with no luck.

I'll have to investigate to find out exactly where the buzzing is. Do you think the issues are related?

 

[jgue467]

Check/replace or eliminate the trailer circuit connector. It is located on rear left behind a panel, goes down towards hitch. It is a common failure point that interferes with the turn signal circuit.

Mine used to cancel my cruise anytime i used the turn signal for a lane change, haha, took me a while to figure that one out, replaced it and no more issues.

Luck.

 

[pmw42069]

Check/replace or eliminate the trailer circuit connector. It is located on rear left behind a panel, goes down towards hitch. It is a common failure point that interferes with the turn signal circuit.

Mine used to cancel my cruise anytime i used the turn signal for a lane change, haha, took me a while to figure that one out, replaced it and no more issues.

Luck.

Thanks for the lead. You mean the left panel with the little vent in the cargo area right?

Could this also have anything to do with the dash and control panel lights?

 

[jgue467]

Thanks for the lead. You mean the left panel with the little vent in the cargo area right?

Could this also have anything to do with the dash and control panel lights?

Yes that is the panel.

It might, if a short is occurring, which is what was happening with my turn signals, the short came from the trailer hitch lights hookup behind that panel.

It was minor enough of a short not to burn fuse yet enough to confuse cruise control ecu into thinking I was braking when I was only using the signals for a lane change. I've read several on here having to replace that to solve different electrical gremlin issues caused by it. Don't think it was make to Toyota spec, kinda inferior part.

 

[photoleif]

many but not all of my dash lights were out when i bought mine. sounds like *all* of yours are out... fuse or something unexpected like what [MENTION=75316]jgue467[/MENTION] said.

if the buzzing is coming from the multifunction / turn signal lever itself, take it out (just a few screws on the cowl, then i think it's two on the lever itself) and carefully clean it up a bit and put it back in. that was another thing my 4R did at purchase...that gross electric short-sounding buzz in the signal lever. cleaning it, to my surprise, worked for this fault, and it has not done it since. if you're a hesitant signaller (i.e. you slowly move the signal lever), unlearn that habit and be quick and precise with it. replacement of these is not cheap at all, and even a beck-arnley was over $100 last check. i just had a look at amazon and there's a super-cheap one for $20, but we all know what that's gonna do...