Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Audio help with dash lights and control switch

i have a 99 contour se. to make a long story short, i had a new system put in and the wires were spliced leaving me somehow without lights just for the speedometer and dash. the guys where i had it installed took forever and basically said they didn't know how to make the dash lights work. i know which wire where the headunit is at is used for illumination of the dash (the white and green one). i spliced it in to the ignition wire, (red one in my car) just so i could have some dash lights for now. the dash lights now work but are on whenever the car is on and don't work with the light switch that controls the headlights like they should. i know all the fuses and everything are fine so does anyone know how this should work or how to fix this mess????

THANKS

Sometimes a burnt dash light dimmer control will cause the dash lights to be out. It happened on mine.
Just remove the dimmer switch and by-pass it. There are three wires to it, connect two, the other can be left unconnected since it is the backlight power to the dimmer.
Hope this hepls.

I wouldn't go bypassing anything or cutting anything just yet. You can get a new dimmer switch or salvage yard and see if that helps...

Now you're saying your lights work all the time, but go out when the light switch is pulled? Or do they just not work with the light switch? Your post is a little confusing.

I just related what happened to mine, not knowing the full story about yours dash lights.
My dimmer switch was fused and could not move the little wheel, or whatever you call it.
I did the by-pass about 4 years ago and everything is still OK. IMO, the dimmer is near useless anyway.

Welcome onboard.

The general rule of thumb is one menber, one problem, one thread, one Forum. More productive, ensures continuity and allows others to see the complete story.

This thread been moved to Audio to join your previous thread.

Suggest you remove the (back)feed you have provided from ignition and take car back so installer can correct the "mess". Sounds like he cut the W/R wire from dimmer switch which goes to a splice from which multiple wires feed dash illumination; two of which are W/G wires for clock and radio. A more professional installation would have used proper pre-wired harnesses for the specific HU you have purchased.

If someone else messed up my car like that... id demand it fixed... (then threaten em with lawsuit if they dont fix it)