Tail lights and dash lights do not work

Tiny
BRYAN MARTINEZ
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 NISSAN MAXIMA
  • 3.5L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 180,000 MILES
Just all the sudden my dash cluster does not work, or any of my running lights. However, head lights and brake lights work though. Did put aftermarket radio in about a month ago and used a wire kit (plugs) it bought on Amazon. I also changed all my bulbs in and out of the car from stock to LED when I did the radio. Just noticed my lights did not work a few days ago. I am stumped, please help. Thanks
Saturday, March 3rd, 2018 AT 4:33 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
HARRY P
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,292 POSTS
Check your wiring behind the radio. There is a wire in the adapter harness that you bought that says "dimmer" on it. I forget what it needs to be hooked up to, but I think it should be hooked up to the main hot wire (red or orange). If it is not, then you will get no lights.

Also, not assuming that you do not know anything, but often times this is caused when someone else borrows the car and they turn the dimmer switch down when they are looking for something else (like maybe the wipers). So check that before checking behind the radio.
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Saturday, March 3rd, 2018 AT 7:31 PM
Tiny
BRYAN MARTINEZ
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HEYMAN 1104, I want to start by saying thanks for the quick reply. But I think I need to be a little more specific. I put the aftermarket radio in about three weeks to a month ago, and everything has been working well up until about three days ago. I still want to go behind my radio and look around for maybe a loose wire, because I have no burnt fuses. And I did mention that I replaced 95% of my inside and outside bulbs with LED bulbs. But that was also at the same time I installed the radio. So I am wondering if I back tracked and replaced all the LED bulbs with the original bulbs, if that may help? I am trying to remember anything and everything I tried or heard to try. One more thing is I tried to replace my glove box light with just a regular bulb since I did not have an LED to replace that one with, and it did not work. When I first tried to change it, the bulb would light up and go out, light up and go out again. So I was wondering if that could be my problem area? I heard there is a relay under the dash that could be giving me this problem. Because like I mentioned all my fuses are good not a single one is bad. Anything anyone can do to help would help me tremendously. I am a single dad and I am not rich by any means. Thanks everyone in advance. Also, I replaced the dimmer switch with like four other ones I got from my local bone yard, so I know I cannot be that. Before I replaced it, I tried to see if there was power to the switch, and no there is not. I am stumped.
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Saturday, March 3rd, 2018 AT 9:14 PM
Tiny
HARRY P
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A question, are your headlights working normally? Or is it just running the Daytime Running Lights? If the headlights are not right, then I would suspect a bad headlight switch. Otherwise, I would still go with pulling the radio and rechecking the wiring.
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Sunday, March 4th, 2018 AT 3:53 AM
Tiny
BRYAN MARTINEZ
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
My headlights are working the same as well. And all the things that you and other people I know have said. I have checked and found there to be no problems. All I have not done is changed all my bulbs back from LED to stock. I am going to tackle that job in an hour or so. I sure hope I can fix this on my own without breaking my bank account all the way. I wish it was a problem that I knew once I was done it was going to work. All these guessing games are horrible. Thanks again to any and everyone who is or will be trying to help.
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Sunday, March 4th, 2018 AT 11:17 AM
Tiny
BRYAN MARTINEZ
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Update: I got ahead of myself and when I was checking fuses with a test light, I was not checking both metal pieces that are on top of the fuse. So I did that today and found my fuse was not working (burnt) so I solved my problem. Thanks for the help HEYMAN1104. I appreciate everything you did to help!
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Monday, March 5th, 2018 AT 12:29 AM
Tiny
HARRY P
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Hey man that is awesome! Glad to see that you got it. Please feel free to come back and ask questions any time. We are here to help.
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Monday, March 5th, 2018 AT 3:29 AM
Tiny
BRYAN MARTINEZ
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I sure will and I hope one day I can do the same for someone else. Have a good one I appreciate the help once again.
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Tuesday, March 6th, 2018 AT 7:32 PM

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