Dash light doesn't light

PUMPKINEATER

MEMBER
2004 BUICK CENTURY

I have 2004 Buick Century, the dash light does not turn on. I can't see a thing day or night! :( Help! Thank you!

Friday, December 3rd, 2010 AT 6:18 PM

5 Replies

JDL

MECHANIC
16,098 POSTS

Did you check instrument illumination fuse? Circuit should go hot when you turn on the park lamps. Check for voltage at the fuse.

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Friday, December 3rd, 2010 AT 7:03 PM

PUMPKINEATER

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5 POSTS

Instrument Illumination Fuse? Check for voltage? Where and how do I do this? Thank you for your time. Happy Holidays!

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Friday, December 3rd, 2010 AT 11:23 PM

JDL

MECHANIC
16,098 POSTS

With the fuse in question, use a testlite, the fuse should have a bare spot over each leg. With the headlamp switch on, the pointed end of testlite touches the bare spot I mentioned, one over each leg. The other end of testlite goes to chassis ground, meatl part. If the lite comes on both bare spots, the fuse is good and you have voltage. Another issue you need to check is for a dimmer control for interior lites.

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Saturday, December 4th, 2010 AT 6:37 PM

PUMPKINEATER

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5 POSTS

I checked and the fuses appear to be fine. When I turned on the car now the top of the dashboard where the gas gauge, odometer, etc is located lights up but the part where the Park, R, N, D, 1, 2 is at is really low. Almost impossible to see, day or night:(

JDL, I would like to take a moment to thank you for all your help. You have been so helpful. I actually fixed the gas gauge issue with your help. Thank you very much. Hopefully, we will fix this too! Lol ;)

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Sunday, December 5th, 2010 AT 6:06 PM

JDL

MECHANIC
16,098 POSTS

If some of the ipc lites work and others don't, may be something wrong with ipc, instrument panel cluster. Without being able to look at it, I'm not sure what else?