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Dash lighting not turning on?

Tiny
MARKV3
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 FORD RANGER
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 33,888 MILES
At night when I turn on my lights, I turn the switch and the head lights come on but the dash lights and radio cluster lights will not turn on. This just happened last night and I need some answers.
Wednesday, August 22nd, 2018 AT 11:07 AM

17 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,602 POSTS
Hello,

I would check fuse #11 7.5 amp. Here is a wiring diagram of the dash lights so you can see how the system works and a guide to help you check the fuse and the fuse location:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
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Friday, August 24th, 2018 AT 1:35 PM
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,540 POSTS
  • 1997 FORD RANGER
  • 200,000 MILES
I turn on my left blinker my dash light start flashing
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Thursday, November 26th, 2020 AT 8:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DRCRANKNWRENCH
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,380 POSTS
You probably have a ground problem near the blinker. I am attaching grounding points for you to check to make sure they make a solid metal to metal contact.
The other possibility is the multifunction switch but you should check the grounds first. The, "1of2" goes on the left of the complete diagram and you line them up by the numbers next to the wires.
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Thursday, November 26th, 2020 AT 8:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RED96RANGER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 FORD RANGER
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 90,000 MILES
My dash lights went out. Fuses are all good, bulbs are all good, changed the head light switch, still no dash lights. What other things can I try?
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Thursday, November 26th, 2020 AT 8:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,121 POSTS
Dimmer switch and body control module may have a burnt wire
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Thursday, November 26th, 2020 AT 8:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DAN ALLMON
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 FORD RANGER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,000 MILES
My right side dash lights are out. Would this be a fuse or bulb since the rest of the lights are o.K. If it's a bulb, whats involved in replacing it?
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Thursday, November 26th, 2020 AT 8:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
YAMAHA_RACER9887
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
It isnt a fuse I can tell you that its the bulb cause the whole dash is on a fuse and if it blew they all would be out and luckly here recently I had to do the same thing so to start with you have to remove the screws way at the bottom of the foot kick and remove the screws from hood latch lever and then the first plastic cover should pop off with a pull but make sure their isnt any other screws as you go just incase I ferget but once the plastc is off their is a plastic piece around the gages that has to be removed and maybe a metal piece behind the first plastic you removed then their is 4 screws around gages then you have to work the gages out without breaking em and if your trucks steering wheel moves up and down it makes it easier to remove gages with steering wheel all the way down then replace bulb and reverse process and should be good
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Thursday, November 26th, 2020 AT 8:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CWZRD1
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
  • 1996 FORD RANGER
  • 2.3L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 165,000 MILES
I have replaced the bulbs, fuses appear good. I have no dash lights, headlight switch lights or heater/c back lights.
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Thursday, November 26th, 2020 AT 8:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,602 POSTS
Hello,

You must be losing power somewhere it sounds like a headlight switch but to be sure here is a guide and the headlight and dash light wiring diagrams to help us see whats going on.:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

Check out the diagrams (below).

Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.

Cheers, Ken
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Thursday, November 26th, 2020 AT 8:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CWZRD1
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
I got and replaced the headlight switch on Saturday, running and headlights work just no dash. I was thinking it was the dimmer switch module (with the circuit card) but I have to find one with six pins 95-97. All I can find so far are four pin.
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Thursday, November 26th, 2020 AT 8:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,602 POSTS
Do you have power at the light blue and red wiring headed to the cluster when the lights are on?
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Thursday, November 26th, 2020 AT 8:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CWZRD1
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
I will take it back apart as soon as I get home from work and test. Thank you very much and I will get back to you Sir!
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Thursday, November 26th, 2020 AT 8:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CWZRD1
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
I tested and I do have power on the light blue and red wiring headed to cluster. I jumped out between light blue and red to red/black and now I have dash lights, headlight back light and AC/heater lights. I know this is temporary, I believe it is the instrument dimming module giving me the trouble. Is that your conclusion? A new one is $164.00 and I wanted to be sure.
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Thursday, November 26th, 2020 AT 8:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,602 POSTS
Yep you found the problem. Let me know what happens.
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Thursday, November 26th, 2020 AT 8:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CWZRD1
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Thank you for your courteous help and schematics! Will do!
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Thursday, November 26th, 2020 AT 8:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CWZRD1
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
I got a used switch and installed for $25. Good to go! Thanks Again for your help!
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Thursday, November 26th, 2020 AT 8:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,602 POSTS
Use 2CarPros anytime, we are here to help. Please tell a friend.

Cheers, Ken
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Thursday, November 26th, 2020 AT 8:55 AM (Merged)

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