At night cannot see the dashboard lights

Tiny
PABLO LEAL
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 FORD F-150
  • 4.7L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
No dash lights; blinkers, brake light, ABS light, all lights work. However, at night cannot see the dashboard. No light at light switch, no light at AC/heater controls. Move dimmer light and no light. Move dimmer to turn dome light and it works. Headlights work, taillights work, parking lights work.
Friday, October 25th, 2019 AT 11:24 AM

8 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,833 POSTS
Hello,

There are two fuses and one relay that run the system #6, 18, and the accessory relay. Here is are guides to help you with the testing and the fuse and relay locations in the diagrams below I have also included thew dash light wiring diagrams so you can see how the system works:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.
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Saturday, October 26th, 2019 AT 1:15 PM
Tiny
BEAVR711
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2002 FORD F-150
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 56,000 MILES
Dash lights do not work, changed fuse, still do not light up, headlights work
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Tuesday, April 6th, 2021 AT 12:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2 LINSEY
  • MECHANIC
  • 287 POSTS
Hi beavr711,

It sounds like the headlight switch can be bad but to be sure here is a guide and the wiring diagrams so you can see which wires to check and how the system works.

I might need a little more info, are all the lights not working on the dash such as the lighting behind the climate control unit and the lights on the radio etc. or is it just the lights on the instrument cluster that are not working? Let me know. If it is all the interior lights and you have already checked the fuses then more then likely it will be the multifunction

headlight/dimmer


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/472271_f150_headlight_switch_2_1.jpg



https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/472271_ford_head_lamp_switch_1.jpg



switch that has gone bad there are ways to test it if you are familiar with using a multimeter. let me know which lights are not working and here is a few testing procedures to get you started.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what happens.
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Tuesday, April 6th, 2021 AT 12:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RONNIEBURKLEW
  • MEMBER
  • 0 POST
The wiring diagrams helped me find out the switch has bad when to AutoZone got a new one back working again for $43.00.
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Tuesday, April 6th, 2021 AT 12:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DENNYCAUSEY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 FORD F-150
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
My father has been having problems with dash lights cutting out and not coming back on Checked and replaced fuses. Dimmer switch works for dome light but nothing happens on dash. Possible bad bulb? Or something else?
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Tuesday, April 6th, 2021 AT 12:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,757 POSTS
Could be the headlamp switch, could be dimmer switch, could be dash cluster circuit board, could be any wiring in between. You would need to systematically trace the circuit with a test light starting at the power source.

Heres a guide on using a meter and a test light

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter

Attached below you will find the wiring diagrams for your dash lights
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Tuesday, April 6th, 2021 AT 12:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DONALD MCGEE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 FORD F-150
  • 4.2L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 215,000 MILES
Dash lights will not turn on?
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Tuesday, April 6th, 2021 AT 12:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good evening,

I attached the wiring diagram for you to view.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

Check the 2 fuses listed for power on both sides as they control the lighting for the cluster.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

Roy
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Tuesday, April 6th, 2021 AT 12:18 PM (Merged)

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