96 XLT dash board lights

[djdaved]

Hi folks I have a 96 xlt and my dashboard lights are out, replaced them all and it still doesnt work, very annoying!

 

[Dopler174]

Have you tried the fuse, or the switch?

 

[djdaved]

I checked the fuse box for the illumination light fuse #7 and its fine.

the switch and perhabs the roller dimmer switch I have been suspicious of.

I dont know how to troubleshoot them, I suppose I could just replace them and hope thats it ....

is there a troubleshoot procedure out there?

 

[Cobraguy]

Dash dimmer switch does quite a bit besides dim the dash lights. It supplies power to some of the indicator lights for example. But make sure that's your problem...you will not believe what that switch will run you.

 

[djdaved]

Yeah I hear they are pricey, so I am looking to trouble shoot the dimmer first before I go that route .......... have you had sim issues?

 

[budwich]

"replaced them all"???? this could get really expensive especially if it a broken wire problem... you might want to try a meter and check for voltage at various points. Check the R/BK wire for voltage.

 

[djdaved]

dash board lights update

ok got an update, took the dimmer switch apart & cleaned it up, didnt see anything obviously bad. put it back together hooked it up and got dashlights to work! even the radio lights that had not worked for a while lit up!
However things went south fast, fiddling with wires the lights started to flicker something was loose either the harness conn or the switch has a short, my car battery eventually died. I ordered a new used dimmer switch on ebay!!!

It might also be tied in with the rear view mirror daylight sensor as a cause, looking to perhabs replace that as well.

 

[djdaved]

ps I will ck for broken wire