instrument cluster lights

[Linford]

On my 03 4 runner when I turn my head lights on the back light for instrument cluster flashes once and then turns back off.

I have checked and replaced any and all fuses manual says has anything to do with instrument cluster.

Nothing else is wrong.. all the lights work (dome, turning, ac lights and lcd read out on center console)

Everything else will dim with dimmer switch.

Can a bad dimmer switch cause only the instrument cluster to go out but still dim the ac control lights?

If it was a bad circuit it couldn't flash once.

PLEASE HELP!

It is wife's car and she is about to kill me...

I installed a aftermarket radio and she is saying I caused it.

I have installed over 100 radios and never once had a problem. I used a freaking wiring harness for crying out loud...

 

[Mercfan]

Same problem

I just installed a radio last night with a crutchfield harness, same problem! Did you figure it out? Thanks, Scott

 

[Jeff Kleb]

Instrument Panel Lights


I drove a leased 2005 4Runner for three years, and it seemed as though the instrument lights stayed illuminated constantly - even during the daytime. I think Toyota set it up like that because the gauges were recessed a bit and would otherwise look very dark.

Since the used LEDs back behind them, I guess there is little or no worry about them burning out the way an incandescent bulb eventually does.

Not sure about your 2003, though. I hope you find an answer. This forum is the place, though, as some people here are truly a guru when it comes to matters automotive!

:girl:

 

[CookieRoe]

Can a bad dimmer switch cause only the instrument cluster to go out but still dim the ac control lights?

I'm no expert, but it sound that dimmer is fine (being that your HVAC lights seem to be fine). Could be that you shorted something out when you installed your radio. Try to find another instrument cluster on ebay. I've seen them for $79-100. If that's not it, return it. Good Luck

Ed

 

[riceandpho]

take the aftermarket radio out and plug the stock back in and see if it works, if it does then ur ok, if not its the harness, the orange wire if im correct.

 

[limamike111]

Cructhfield Radio and Instrument Cluster Lights

Seems this thread was never answered. Does any one have an answer. Same thing as below for me. !!!

On my 03 4 runner when I turn my head lights on the back light for instrument cluster flashes once and then turns back off.

I have checked and replaced any and all fuses manual says has anything to do with instrument cluster.

Nothing else is wrong.. all the lights work (dome, turning, ac lights and lcd read out on center console)

Everything else will dim with dimmer switch.

Can a bad dimmer switch cause only the instrument cluster to go out but still dim the ac control lights?

If it was a bad circuit it couldn't flash once.

PLEASE HELP!

It is wife's car and she is about to kill me...

I installed a aftermarket radio and she is saying I caused it.

I have installed over 100 radios and never once had a problem. I used a freaking wiring harness for crying out loud...

 

[limamike111]

Orange Cable

So I disconnected the Orange cable. Still no instrument cluster lights, but they just dont flash once anymore. I am thinking that if the bulb was blown, the cluster wouldnt flash.... Has to be a fuse? I am have read that the cluster lights and tail lights are tied? Are we talking about the back light that turn one when one turns the head lights on, or are we talking about the break lights?

take the aftermarket radio out and plug the stock back in and see if it works, if it does then ur ok, if not its the harness, the orange wire if im correct.

 

[toyo]

So I disconnected the Orange cable. Still no instrument cluster lights, but they just dont flash once anymore. I am thinking that if the bulb was blown, the cluster wouldnt flash.... Has to be a fuse? I am have read that the cluster lights and tail lights are tied? Are we talking about the back light that turn one when one turns the head lights on, or are we talking about the break lights?

About a 1% chance it's the bulbs, no way a blown set of bulbs are going to work intermittently. No chance it's a blown fuse. When a fuse blows it stops all current to that circuit.
Off the top of my head I don't remember the exact circuits that are tied to each other. If you look at your manual under the fuses it will list what items are on that circuit. But that's a waste of time, it's not the fuse.

Go back to where you started and put everything back as it was and then start one by one until you find the culprit.