1990 Ford Bronco instrument gauges lights won't come on

Tiny
CMYANEZ1
  • MEMBER
  • 1990 FORD BRONCO
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 40,000 MILES
The lights on my gauges don't work so I can't see them at night. I have a 1990 ford bronco. I checked the fuses and they are good. I checked the bulbs and they aren't broken. So I don't know what the problem is. If anyone could help me I would really appreciate it.

Thanks
Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010 AT 8:15 PM

16 Replies

Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
Does radio or interior dome light work? Could be faulty dimmer switch
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Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010 AT 8:30 PM
Tiny
CMYANEZ1
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The dome light doesn't come on but the radio does. And how do you check to see if its the dimmer switch thats bad?
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Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010 AT 9:00 PM
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
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Need to run continuity test on the switch. First remove switch and make sure wires look ok and are connected
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Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010 AT 9:07 PM
Tiny
CMYANEZ1
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Ok. Is there anything else I can try first to get the lights to work? Because I have to borrow my friends multimeter to do a continuity test.
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Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010 AT 9:26 PM
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
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If the bulbs and fuses were already checked out then your best bet would be a faulty dimmer switch or wiring to the switch
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Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010 AT 9:27 PM
Tiny
CMYANEZ1
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Ok. Thanks for the help. Greatly appreciated.

Oh and I was wondering if you could help me with something else too. I have tried using my 4x4 on my bronco and it goes into 4hi but it wont go into the neutral or 4low. Do you know what the issue is there? It has been bugging me for a while because I can't get it to move lower than the high setting and im hoping it isnt broken
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Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010 AT 9:41 PM
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
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Is this the Bronco or Bronco II and you have manual or automatic locking hubs?
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Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010 AT 9:48 PM
Tiny
CMYANEZ1
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Its a fullsize bronco and I have manual hubs. But its not the actual car thats having trouble going into 4wheel. I just cant shift the 4x4 stick into N or 4L but I can shift it to 4H
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Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010 AT 9:51 PM
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
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Should be chain driven, have you inspected transfer case under vehicle
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Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010 AT 10:04 PM
Tiny
CMYANEZ1
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No I havent looked at the transfer case. But what would I look for on the transfer case to find out why the shifter doesnt move lower? And is the chain part connected to the shifter?
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Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010 AT 10:11 PM
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
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Should have a control rod between the shift level and the control lever assembly, make sure these are connected to transfer case
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Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010 AT 10:14 PM
Tiny
CMYANEZ1
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Well I think they are connected because it shifts into 4H and then gets jammed so you cant move the shift lever any further down. Would it have anything to do with maybe some dirt or something stuck on it preventing it from moving further?
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Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010 AT 10:24 PM
Tiny
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Maybe or the rods may need realigned. When did it stop working? Did you try shifting it into 4 low while stopped or rolling?
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Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010 AT 10:27 PM
Tiny
CMYANEZ1
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I tried it while it was stopped. I didnt know you can shift it into 4 low while moving. I thought you could only do that when changing to 4H. And it didnt work when I bought the truck about a few weeks ago.

But it could be that the rods need to be realigned. I will look at that tomorrow.
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Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010 AT 10:34 PM
Tiny
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Not supposed to while rolling thats what I was just checking to make sure
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Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010 AT 10:36 PM
Tiny
CMYANEZ1
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Ok. Well thanks for all the help. I really appreciate it. Im going to try and fix those two things tomorrow
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Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010 AT 10:38 PM

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