Installed new radio now dashboard lights aren't working

[Deputy1211]

Installed a JVC double din radio/cd/usb combo unit in my 2001 forerunner.

Noticed when driving tonight that the speedometer, rpm, temp guage areas were not lit. Tried adjusting the dimmer dial and nothing.

Didn't mess with any other circuits, fuses or plugs besides taking apart the clock assembly when removing the dash panel to access old radio and disconnecting the plugs from the original amplifier to bypass them with new unit. (per the included instructions for 2001 toyotas).

The O/D, VSC, low fuel, lights all work. Its just the guages. No problem with AC or hazard lights on the middle console either.

I can spit ball this but I'm looking for anyone with a theory on what to check first, and second.

Thanks for reading

 

[cfranck1]

Sounds like you might have popped a illumination fuse??

Check all the fuses under dash with test light. Just turn on parking lights and probe each fuse under there to see which one has power on one side and not the other.

I'm just shooting from the hip too. But that's the first thing I would check would be all the fuses.

 

[Sig220]

I think your mentioning the clock holds a clue/key to this problem.

If I read your post right, just your gauges don't light up, what about your clock? Does the dimmer switch affect the brightness of the clock (if the clock lights up). Anyway I would bet the guage illumination and the clock are tied together.

 

[cfranck1]

I think your mentioning the clock holds a clue/key to this problem.

If I read your post right, just your gauges don't light up, what about your clock? Does the dimmer switch affect the brightness of the clock (if the clock lights up). Anyway I would bet the guage illumination and the clock are tied together.

Always start with the easiest things. Check the DOME and the PANEL fuses.
Do you have lights on the door? And does your dome light work??

I included a few PDF files of circuits for
(Cig lighter and clock)
(Combo Meter "cluster")
and (Interior lights)

 

[Ron Helmuth]

perhaps plugged into the dummy port?

on the back of the radio bezel is a dummy port-no electrical pins are present.

I am going to take a guess when you plugged everything back together you accidently plugged into there instead of the correct portal...

Also don't just eyeball a fuse and presume it to be good or bad. As mentioned check voltages or just swap in a known good fuse to be certain.

here is a shot of the back of radio bezel for a 99-the dummy port is black and next to the letter "G"-it's a horizontal version of the port with the same shape but laid out vertically above it at the rear of the clock. It's easy to mix this stuff up so I try to have a helper support the bezel as I make the connections or vice versa.