My headlights are on then my dashboard does not light up vice Versa?

Tiny
CHEFDRE621
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 KIA SPECTRA
  • 1.8L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 166,000 MILES
Hello, I have an issue when my headlights are on, then my dashboard doesn't light up vice versa. I have my dash apart. I found a grounded wire running to the stereo that was cut. Can this be the issue?
Wednesday, September 28th, 2022 AT 5:18 AM

10 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,645 POSTS
Hi,

That's an interesting one. I don't feel the radio ground would have anything to deal with it, but anything is possible. Since you have it apart, I would repair it at this time. Also, inspect other wires to the ground to make sure nothing is wrong.

Now, I need to know a couple of things. First, if you only turn the parking lights on (headlamps off), does the dash do the same thing?

If it doesn't, then I suspect it is related to the switch. However, I need to know if the vehicle has DRL or not because the wiring schematics are different.

Let me know.

Joe
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Wednesday, September 28th, 2022 AT 6:05 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,256 POSTS
There is a ground behind the lower center of the dash you need to check along with the right tail fuse 10 amp in the interior fuse panel. Here is a guide to help you with the fuse location and I have included the cluster illumination wiring diagrams so you can see how the system works.

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

Check out the images (below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.
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Wednesday, September 28th, 2022 AT 6:26 PM
Tiny
CHEFDRE621
  • MEMBER
  • 36 POSTS
Hello, I have parking lights and headlights. I checked every ground I could possibly find. I don't know. Do I have DRLs? Because a relay is in under the engine.
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Wednesday, September 28th, 2022 AT 10:25 PM
Tiny
CHEFDRE621
  • MEMBER
  • 36 POSTS
I changed my headlights to LED. Do you think that's the problem?
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Thursday, September 29th, 2022 AT 6:27 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,256 POSTS
Yep, that can do it. Try to change them back and see if the problem goes away.
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Thursday, September 29th, 2022 AT 1:35 PM
Tiny
CHEFDRE621
  • MEMBER
  • 36 POSTS
If there is a relay in the DRL under the hood does that mean I have it? And I changed the lights back, but I think the dimmer switch doesn't work. How can I test it?
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Thursday, September 29th, 2022 AT 3:13 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,645 POSTS
Hi,

I noticed you asked if there is a DRL relay if the vehicle has the option. Yes, it will have it. As far as switching back the original lamps, did you try that?

Let me know.

Joe
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Friday, September 30th, 2022 AT 9:14 PM
Tiny
ANDRE BATTIS
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
Yes, I switched back but no luck. Over where my glove box light plugs into there are 2 wires, blue and black, branching out separately. Idk where they go. I know it runs to the cigarette lighter.
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Saturday, October 1st, 2022 AT 4:13 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,645 POSTS
Hi,

Are these wires going to the glove box light or just near it? Interestingly, I find nothing in the wiring schematic for the glove box light. I attached the schematic below, so you have a reference.

I can tell you that a black wire is most likely a ground wire. Looking at the interior courtesy lights circuits, blue seems to run to the body control module, but again, it is coming from things other than a glove box. That is where I get lost.

Take a look at the schematic and let me know your thoughts. Also, did you change anything as far as relays to compensate for the LED headlamps?

Let me know.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.
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Saturday, October 1st, 2022 AT 2:11 PM
Tiny
ANDRE BATTIS
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
Yeah Joe, Ken sent this instrument cluster diagram. And it says not used.
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Sunday, October 2nd, 2022 AT 6:54 AM

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