I want to figure this out

[tiffanydawnhall]

Hi my name is Tiffany I'm 36 I love explorers, they have always been good to me. I have a 95 explorer that has NO dashboard light. The check engine,check gauges come on but Nothing else. ImgoiI'm to try the fuse today but if he other items listed under that fuse are working, than it's probably not the fuse right??

 

[Mbrooks420]

Did they all go out at once? It’s possible with the age all the bulbs have burnt out.

 

[Spudhut]

It could be possible the dimmer on the light switch has gone out...have you tried to rotate the knob to verify functionality?

 

[96eb96]

Yeah, I had my dimmer switch go with those symptoms, no backlighting. There is a solder joint that lets loose. A TV shop can repair it or go to the pick and pull.

 

[djconline]

That would an easy fix.... I picked up a '98 with several bulbs out..... gonna have to pull the dash.

 

[koda2000]

At the age of your vehicle, it's possible that all the illumination bulbs are burnt out. It's also possible that your dimmer switch is the problem.

You don't need to pull the entire dash to change bulbs or the dimmer switch (thank goodness). There are 6 illumination bulbs for the instrument cluster. The lower dash knee panel and the metal plate behind it should be removed first, so that you can disconnect the PRNDL cable (assuming you truck is an automatic). The cable is super thin a fragile. Then you need to pull the radio panel out about an inch, remove the screws which hold the instrument cluster trim panel on This will also give you access to the dimmer switch, if it's in question. Lastly, you remove the screws that hold the instrument cluster in, unplug 3 wire connectors and it can be carefully pulled out or removed.

The 6 bulbs sit in black plastic, twist-in bases, which you will reuse. The bulbs just pull out of the bases. IIRC they are #97 bulbs. Be sure to purchase long life replacement bulbs (97LL).