Dash lights do not work when the headlights are on

NIK GROSSMAN

MEMBER
2008 KIA SORENTO
3.3L
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
213,000 MILES

Vehicle listed above is the LX model. No dash lights when headlights are on, stuck in 4 low. Okay, so here's the deal:

Back in the spring my ignition switch went out. So my dad replaced it for me. Unbeknownst to him my husband left the headlights on before he changed the part out. I thought it was fixed but when I went to drive the vehicle it was dark so I turned on my headlights and my dash lights went out. I just thought a reset would fix the issue with my 4wd low light on, ESC off light is on, airbag light is on basically all indicator lights on. When I went to back out of my driveway realized I was in 4low because turning is ridiculous. So now I always have the TCCS fuse pulled. I've tried the dimmer switch, full resets, checked fuses, and yesterday got a new battery because my old one stopped working. My dad is stumped. I'm thinking pull ignition switch and make sure everything is off that should be and it could be fixed when putting switch back in? Help please days are getting shorter and the snow is here.

1 Reply

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

The ignition switch is separate from the dash lights so I am not sure they are related to that. However, if you want to try that then that is fine.

I would suggest operating the dimmer switch when you have the head lights on and if the lights don't get brighter and dimmer then the rheostat in the switch as failed.

Let's stick with the dash lights on this post and address the 4WD light on another post. We need to keep each post to one topic so that when others search for each one they can find the answer. They won't find the solution to a 4WD issue under this heading so let's figure that out and start the new one on that issue.

I included the wiring diagram for this switch. We need to pull it loose from the dash and check voltage on the red/black wire and the yellow wire. The yellow wire is what feeds power to the cluster so it will be low and then as you turn up the dial it will increase in voltage.

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