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No gauge cluster lights... can't figure it out

9

98Ford2L

Be Gentle I'm New Here
Joined
Jan 18, 2005
Messages
3
Location
ohio
Yes I checked all the fuses.
The problems started when some wires melted and blew my 20 amp ignition fuse. As the cloud of smoke began the dash lights went out, and then the car stalled.
The wires that melted were just a useless loop that was taped to the wires going to the wiper motor.

I fixed what melted and everthing works except the lights that illuminate the speedo etc... and I can't find any fuse problems. I took the gauges cluster out and the bulb filaments don't look broken.

Any ideas? I'm confused (and I don't know much about electronics)
Thanks.
 
You might still want to replace the bulbs even if they dont look bad. And/or look over all the wiring and check for any broken insulation anywhere.
 
Hey, it's been a while since I was on here.

I'll chime in because I almost went crazy with the same problem.

The problem is your dash dimmer. It's crap. It will short out, sometimes, intermittently. Very hard to diagnose. Trust me. BTW you should never replave a 5 amp fuse with a 20 ;)

I solved my problem by adding indiglow gauges, and bypassing the POS dimmer. I suggest you do the same.

Your other option is to somehow Jerry rig a self-resetting fuse in the stock location. That was my first idea, but those fuses have a steel body, and don't fit in the fuse box. You would have to carefully extend the leads out of the fuse box using one of your (no doubt) many 5 amp fuses, and solder the resettable to the fuse.

My recommendation : go indiglo. 30 minute install, no problems ever since.
 
Thanks for the replies.
I haven't had time to do much checking, but I did check the power coming into the cluster. There is not power coming to the dash lights, so I checked the dash light fuse and there isn't even power coming to the fuse. I haven't gotten any farther, but that's weird so far.

Also I got a warning tonight because my tail lights weren't working (i didn't realize).
Looks like I have some problems to fix tomorrow.
 
Ok, I have been trying to trace why my tail lights aren't working and I have had no luck.


My brake lights work, as well as my 4 ways turn signals etc.... but my tail lights don't work!!

I double checked all the fuses, and then I stuck a tester on the fuses for my dash light and my tail lights...... neither fuse seems to be getting power.

This is decidedly bad news, what can I do? I'm lost.
-Peter
 
When you mentioned that your tail lights weren't lit up as well as the dash lights it caught my eye...check the wires going into your head light switch, the brown one in particular. I'm willing to bet that your parking lights in the front don't work either. If none of the parking lights work then the brown wire has to be the problem.

Some what common problem. I just fixed the same problem for a friend...just wired in a new connector and all is well.


Search the old forums for some other easy fixes...when you search make sure you select all posts, not just ones within the last week.

Until then, don't drive at night, or keep the pedal depressed just enough to light up the brake lights.
 
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