Dash cluster lights not working

CHRIS NEFF

MEMBER
2003 KIA SPECTRA
2WD
57,000 MILES

About a week ago I replaced my stereo in my car. Later this week a headlight blew and I replaced it, later that day I noticed all my dash cluster lights were not working as well as my backlighting for the air condition knobs/heat. Everything else works. Weird thing is the gear shift lights in the cluster work as well as brake lights and all emergency lights (check engine etc, ). I do not know what to do, took it to AutoZone and they said it could be the ground wire? I do not understand how that'd be the problem. The dimmer switch has no affect on the lights as it did before. I do not believe there is a fuse blown but I could not find the correct one. I also do not believe the bulb needs replaced due to the air/heat lights going off at the same time. Any help would be appreciated tremendously. Thank you.

8 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,645 POSTS

Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros. Com. Since all the instrument cluster lights went out at the same time, either a fuse has blown, the power supply from the headlight switch is disconnected, or the switch itself is bad. I have attached two different wiring schematics for your review. You will see that all the lights which you described, get their power from the same source, the panel light control switch. Take a look at them.

However, before you begin checking wiring or replacing the switch, check all fuses related to the headlights. I have attached an image of the under-hood fuse/relay panel for you to review.

If you find that all fuses are good, then I would suspect the panel light control switch is bad. The lights which indicate gear selection and brake light are powered from a different source. That is why they would still work.

Let me know if this helps.

Take care,
Joe

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Friday, June 1st, 2018 AT 8:31 PM

CHRIS NEFF

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Hello thank you for your response. I am not very car savvy so I am unsure of which fuses to check. I believe I have looked at 34 and 42 with no indications of a blown fuse. Could you give me a list of fuses that would be good to check? I am ruling out the light dimmer due to the fact that the gear shifter lights are out too, I just noticed this today. So I am guessing wiring or a fuse.

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Friday, June 1st, 2018 AT 9:09 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,645 POSTS

Hi. Try checking 21, 36, and 37.

Let me know what you find.

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Friday, June 1st, 2018 AT 10:04 PM

CHRIS NEFF

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I checked all the fuses mentioned above, all seemed fine. Next step?

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Saturday, June 2nd, 2018 AT 1:21 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,645 POSTS

Hi again. Since the fuses are good, the next step is to remove the panel light control switch and first check to make sure power is being supplied to it. Once that is confirmed, you need to check if power leaves the switch for the interment cluster. If it does, then the issue is most likely ground related. We will cross that bridge once the aforementioned conditions are met.

Also. Did you connect the old radio wire for lighting to the new radio? This all started with a radio change out, so I would probably go back and visit that wiring to be sure its all good

Let me know what you find.

I have attached the wiring diagram for the factory radio below so you can verify its hooked up correctly

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