92 VX

The gauge lights don't work, but the warning lights, blinkers, brights, and shift light do. The fuse is good. Something else that doesn't work (I would assume there are lights there) are the lights in the climate control section. The indicator lights work, but none of the ones that would illuminate the background so you can see what the heck is going on at night. I would assume since all of those lights are tied to the same fuse there isn't a relay that switches them on when you have the headlights on.

The only thing that I can think of is that those lights would ALL be tied to the dimmer and there is something messed up there or within the switch on the steering column. The headlights turn on just fine. Any ideas? I will be digging around in the FSM for the time being and will post up anything I find.

 

Did you pull the cluster and check the bulbs physically? YOu didn't say.

 

Yes, I did. Bulbs work. I checked with a power supply and the bulbs definitely work. I also just checked the dimmer and the power there is just fine. 12v with the lights on and car turned to acc. With the head lights off it was zero on both red wires coming in.

I even checked the fuses in spot 15 and 19 under the dash for continuity. They both passed. Figured that it may be a defective fuse or something. Not the case.

Since it is getting power at the dimmer, it can't be the steering column switch. This car is completely stock and has not been tampered with at all, so i highly doubt it is a hackjob somewhere. It even appeared that the dash hadn't been taken apart before.

 

Unplug the dimmer switch and use a piece of wire to jump the red wire to the black wire in the connector. Do the cluster and dash lights now work?

 

There are two red/black wires and one black in the middle. Will it matter which red/black I jump to the black? I have attached this diagram from the FSM. Won't help a ton, but may help others who are looking for this info.

 

The dimmer switch connector has a Red wire, Red/Blk wire, and a Blk wire. Jump the Red to the Blk.

 

Thanks, I appreciate your help A LOT. I will give it a shot and see what happens.

 

I was either removing or putting the dimmer back on and I saw a flicker. I messed around with it got them to stay on. It is definitely the dimmer. Now that the lights came on I found that there is a light out in my climate control area. I would assume that entire gray trim that goes around that area must come off. Anyone know? Are there screws or does it clip on entirely?

 

You should upgrade your lighting to LEDs. and headlights to HIDs.

-much more energy efficient
-safer
-looks better

PM for more info.

 

I may upgrade the interior dash lights and climate to led, since I have it apart, but not too concerned about headlights. Anyone know about removing the trim around the climate control area to get back there and replace the lights?