Instument cluster and centre console lights not working Options

[wogstaa]

Hi guys,

I've encountered this all of a sudden. I noticed the lights in my speedo and the lights in the centre console (the air conditioning controls) are no longer working. I have an aftermarket head unit and it's been installed for a month with no issues and I've checked all the fuses with a multimeter and they were all fine.

I've done some quick searching too and couldn't find any info. I haven't had any time to do anything but check fuses yet.

Has anyone else had this happen before?
Everything else works fine, including all the warning lights in the instrument cluster, clock and the lights that indicate the air con is on and which vents are selected. It's basically all interior lights that come on when you have the headlights on.

I've got no idea what it could be (hoping it's a cable that's come unplugged) but I'm going to pull out the centre console and instrument cluster and have a good look for anything wrong if I have time on the weekend.

Any ideas/advice will be greatly appreciated

Thanks

[Syaoran]

I'm having the same issue but I haven't done anything about it because my speedo and tach are disconnected anyways. Report back what you find! All of my fuses also seem to be working fine.

[wogstaa]

I also just noticed that the clock doesn't dim when I turn my headlights on as well.

[zfjohnson07]

well could be a fuse, mine is doing the same thing as well, but i just havent messed with it just yet.

[richee3]

Check to make sure the dimmer switch is plugged in. That will kill your gauge cluster lights but not your HVAC lights.

Did you use an adapter harness for the new head unit? I've never hooked up the "dimmer" wire on my aftermarket head unit but that might have something to do with it as well.

[zfjohnson07]

mine was a fuse, cluster panel. checked it today

[Syaoran]

mine was a fuse, cluster panel. checked it today

Which one is that? Is it under the dash or in the engine bay? What's it called in the diagram? Thanks

[zfjohnson07]

Under dash top left corner 7.5

[Syaoran]

Got it, going to check it tomorrow.

[kevH]

Got it, going to check it tomorrow.

I had the same problem with the 94 I just bought for my son. I found the fuse was blown but when I put the new one in it blew straight away.

I took a look at the wiring under the dash and there was a bunch of burnt insulation. After a complete dash removal and a swap of the main harness ($40) on eBay ) it looked like the previous guy had wired in his head unit wrong and shorted the instrument lighting, the only way he could have done such major damage to the harness would have been to put a bigger amp fuse.

So, if your fuse keeps blowing check the head unit wiring and check your harness for damage.