Instrument Cluster Doesn't Light Up

[TJM623]

I was painting my center console today...and when i was putting everything back in (i have 2 loose wires from my radio that are hookups to the dimmer so the light dims when headlights are on) i got shocked nuthin big but i felt it...so i thought i blew something, well i went ahead put everything back. Went to drive away turned my headlights on and nothing lights up, not my dash not my center console nothing...I can't drive at nite cause I can't see my speedometer...My overdrive works...i can feel it kick it but the light doesn't show up, neither does my 4WD show up. The only lights that light up are my turn signals and if i turn the brites on, my rear windshield wiper works, as does the defroster and fog light buttons...I checked all fuses having anything to do with the instrument cluster...they are all fine. I believe sumthing like 11 15 33 and one other one. What happened that made these random things not work but others do work? any help would be appreciated.

 

[TJM623]

Ttt

 

[gijoecam]

This may seem like a dumb question, but did you turn the dimmer knob back up?

Have to ask.....

-Joe

 

[MAXIMIS1]

by all means twist that knob all the way "on" ...also do you not have any of the warning lamps coming on when the key is turned on, such as "check eng." and "brake", i dont know them all on the 98 model but do these lights light up and if not then the two big wiring plugs in back of cluster might not be inserted all the way or even plugged in... do the other gauges work? oil temp ect/. turn indicaters?

 

[TJM623]

Yes, the knob was all the way up, yes all the warning lights came out. But good news I found what my problem was...When I installed my aftermarket HU, there were 2 wires for auto dimming of the display when the lights were on, I didn't no how to connect this so I left them open, also forgetting to tape them off, when I put my dash back in, they were touching and it was causing the lights to not come on, so I pulled them apart taped them up and switched on my lights...everything lights up now. Thanks for the attempting to help!

 

[04edge57]

check the wiring one your head unit if you have an aftermarket unit, some of the wire may be touching each other that has to do with the dash lights not turning on, same thing happened to me, other than that try replacing the fuse or find that short in the dash because that is essentially what is happening...