Dash lights going out like crazy!

[AK47]

OK, I'm gettin angry now.

I have a 98 XLT with the standard cd player. Just hit 62k. here are some of the problems Ive had in the past 5k.

1- auto lamps froze in the on position. I simply disconected the cord (in the back of the mirror)- that put and end to the problem, but I also have no auto lights anymore.

2- half of my tach burnt out. gone.

3- the fuel gage is burnt out.

4- the radio is absolutely screwed. I start up the car and 9 times out of 10, the light in the radio display is off. it takes about 5-10 minutes for it to come on. once it does come on, it will fade in and out during my drive. then, once its done fading, it will simply go really dark- it will be there, but its hard to see. note- while the lights are going out- the sound remains fine.

ok, so whats the deal here? I had an 88 Taurus that had the same electrical problems. anyone elese have these problems that I speak of? is there somthing seriously wrong with my electrical system or is it just one fluke after another??

 

[jimbo74]

get a new radio.......the dash sounds like a bad connector......dont know why the puddle lights stay

 

[AK47]

well, lost a new light tonight.

the battery guage went completely dark when I started up after getting out of work. this is gettin out of hand. half of my dash lights are dark. anyone know the cause of this?

all I know is that Ford doesnt know **** when it comes to electronics. :fire:

 

[yob_yeknom]

I suggest checking all of your fuses for interior and dash lighting. Make sure they are all the correct rating. It may be possible that a fuse rated for too many amps is allowing too much current to pass through and the result is all the lights blowing. Hopefully that isn't the problem, since that would mean a more serious problem elsewhere.

The more likely problem is just that your current bulbs have reached the end of their life span. All the bulbs behind the guages are the same (from what I remember) and it may just be that they've all ready to blow. Just change them, and I suggest doing them all, even the ones that are not blown yet.

 

[01EB5.0]

Did you buy the truck new or used? It sounds more then justa fuse issue here. it sounds like a wiring short or problem causing all this to happen at once. The auto lamp getting stuck on and all the ights burning out at once....i think it's an exectrical issue. Has the truck ever had a water leak in the front? Just an idea. Mine is having dash problems too, i brought it to a couple ford dealers over there west of chicago and they were helpful. I thnought the one had fixed it, but it stopped working again after a week so now i gotta bring it to a dealer over here in Michigan by my school.
Good luck

 

[01EB5.0]

ANother idea..you say it fades in and fades out during driving...that right there tells me it's most likely a short somewhere...if it was a fuse it would just die all at once.

 

[AK47]

Thanks alot for all the reply's. I am defintaly going to be checking out the fuse issue.

as far as the bulbs burning out, thats a strange one. The truck isnt that old (98- I bought it new). I'll have to check that possibility out as well.

whatever the case is, I stand by my statement that Ford and electronics dont match.

thanks all

 

[nytefog]

my 98 dash lights were dimming in and out when i was driving. i though that i was tripping at first. I checked it out and figured out that the dimmer switch was bad. I haven't replaced it yet, but i plan to when i take my dash apart to get the crap out of my instrument cluster! By the way, How does all the dust and hair get into the instrument cluster? i though it was sealed.

 

[01EB5.0]

Originally posted by AK47
Thanks alot for all the reply's. I am defintaly going to be checking out the fuse issue.

as far as the bulbs burning out, thats a strange one. The truck isnt that old (98- I bought it new). I'll have to check that possibility out as well.

whatever the case is, I stand by my statement that Ford and electronics dont match.

thanks all

This ford electronics thing is true..my turn signal had to be repalced due to wires fusing together, not this dash issue...I mean what the heck!

 

[01EB5.0]

Originally posted by nytefog
my 98 dash lights were dimming in and out when i was driving. i though that i was tripping at first. I checked it out and figured out that the dimmer switch was bad. I haven't replaced it yet, but i plan to when i take my dash apart to get the crap out of my instrument cluster! By the way, How does all the dust and hair get into the instrument cluster? i though it was sealed.

If ya want a cheap dimmer I got one that I just bought last week from a salvage yard. it is out of a 96. All I want is what I paid plus shipping. i paid about $30.

 

[nytefog]

$15 and i'll take it.

 

[01EB5.0]

I said I wanted what I paid.....they are $74 at ford...I think $30 is reasonable to ask....i mean the absolute lowest I'd go is $25 plus you pay shipping...but thats it...