Tail lights, dash light do not work

Tiny
RS1285
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 FORD RANGER
  • 4.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 140,000 MILES
Had a minor crash which broke the right headlight since then the right turn signal quit, the right signal caused a buzzing when turned on, the tail lights quit. Replaced the headlight assembly and bulbs. The turn signals work, the buzz stopped, headlights work. No tail lights and the dash light still does not work. Pulled the fused indicated in the owners manual, all appear good (any hidden fuse locations). Not sure where to start. Planned to next check the voltage at the fuses to look for a bad connection. Any other good ideas where to look.
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Sunday, January 6th, 2019 AT 9:44 PM

16 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,014 POSTS
Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.

I looked through schematics and found a splice located at the front of the engine compartment that I feel may be the issue. It supplies power from the switch, to the all lights. If it was damaged, it may be the problem. I attached two schematics. Locate splice number (S121). I snipped that splice and added it as picture 3. Also, the schematics include all the fuses and power supplies.

I had to break the schematics into two parts because of size, but I overlapped them so you can see where they go together.

Here are a couple links you may find helpful:

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

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

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

Let me know if this helps or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe
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Monday, January 7th, 2019 AT 6:24 AM
Tiny
BIKER636
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2001 FORD RANGER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 199,000 MILES
How can I replace the dashboard lights? I can't find a way to get to them.
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Thursday, November 26th, 2020 AT 8:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
IMPALASS
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,112 POSTS
Hello -

I believe this is what you are looking for... You will have to remove the dash cluster to remove and replace the bulbs.

ILLUMINATION & INDICATOR BULBS
Removal & Installation
Remove instrument cluster. See INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. Remove instrument panel illumination or indicator bulb by turning socket and bulb counterclockwise. To install, reverse removal procedure.
PRINTED CIRCUIT
Removal & Installation
1. Remove instrument cluster. See INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. Remove instrument cluster gauge amplifier. See INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GAUGE AMPLIFIER.
2. Remove all instrument panel illumination and indicator bulbs by turning each bulb counterclockwise. Remove gauges. See GAUGES.
3. Remove 19 instrument gauge harness connector clips using long-nose pliers. Squeeze both sides of clip equally so locking ears pass through opening in instrument cluster case. Be careful not to overbend or distort clips. DO NOT reuse instrument gauge clips.
4. Ease instrument cluster printed circuit up and off locating pins and remove from case. To install, reverse removal procedure using NEW instrument gauge clips.

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
CAUTION: Instrument cluster light bulbs are pressurized and may shatter if improperly handled. Wear eye protection when replacing instrument cluster light bulbs.
Removal & Installation
1. Disconnect negative battery cable. Remove 2 screws from center instrument panel finish panel and pull out center instrument panel finish panel. Remove radio. Disconnect electrical harness connectors. Remove hood latch release handle and cable from instrument panel steering column cover.
2. Remove 2 screws and instrument panel steering column cover. Remove 4 screws and instrument panel steering column opening cover reinforcement. Position column gear shift lever aside (if equipped). Remove 3 screws and pull out cluster finish panel. Disconnect electrical harness connectors and remove cluster finish panel.
3. Remove 4 instrument cluster screws. Pull out instrument cluster and remove transmission range indicator (if equipped with automatic transmission). Disconnect electrical harness connectors and remove instrument cluster. To install, reverse removal procedure.

GAUGES
CAUTION: If gauges are being removed from cluster assembly, DO NOT remove gauge pointer. Magnetic gauges cannot be recalibrated.
NOTE: Fuel gauge and instrument cluster gauge amplifier are calibrated together and cannot be serviced separately.
Removal & Installation
Remove instrument cluster. See INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. Remove instrument cluster gauge amplifier from back of instrument cluster. Remove 7 screws, instrument cluster lens and mask assembly from instrument cluster. Remove appropriate instrument gauge clips. DO NOT reuse instrument gauge clips. Outside gauge assemblies must be removed before center gauge assembly. Gently remove desired gauge block by grasping outside edges of gauge and lifting. To install, reverse removal procedure using NEW instrument gauge clips.
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Thursday, November 26th, 2020 AT 8:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JAMESM1991
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2000 FORD RANGER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 132,000 MILES
I have a Ford Ranger, 2000 model, that got a locked up motor. After changing motors, my O/D light, ABS, and check engine lights are on. What might be my problem?
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Thursday, November 26th, 2020 AT 8:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,014 POSTS
Either something was left disconnected, or damaged. What you need to do is have the computer scanned to determine what is causing the lights to come on. Many parts stores will do it for free.

Have that done and let me know what you find.
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Thursday, November 26th, 2020 AT 8:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JAMESM1991
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
It gives the codes B1230-Rear ABS not working, B1102 Acceleration circut malfunction, P0708 Transmission range sensor, and P0176 flex fuel sensor. None of these lights were on it before the motor was swapped.
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Thursday, November 26th, 2020 AT 8:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KJGAL
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 FORD RANGER
The dashboards only light up halfay so all I can see is half of the speedometer and hardly anything else on the dashboard.
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Thursday, November 26th, 2020 AT 8:51 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,014 POSTS
Check for weak grounds, check headlight switch, check bulbs, check for loose connections under dash.
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Thursday, November 26th, 2020 AT 8:51 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CHARLIE MCKINLEY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 FORD RANGER
  • 189,999 MILES
Only half of my dash lights work, cannot see my tachometer or gas gauge. Lucky enough I can still see my speedometer.
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Thursday, November 26th, 2020 AT 8:52 AM (Merged)
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 12,883 POSTS
1999 should still have replaceable bulbs. But you still have to pull the cluster out to change them. That means pulling the center trim panel, the radio, the trim under the dash and the trim under the steering wheel. Then you can pull the large trim panel and get to the cluster.
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Thursday, November 26th, 2020 AT 8:52 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LEANNA13
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 FORD RANGER
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,100 MILES
Taillights and dashboard lights do not work. I need to know what fuse it is?
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Thursday, November 26th, 2020 AT 8:52 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,853 POSTS
Check the #11 fuse in the battery junction block and if it is okay, try a new park lamps relay and swap one in of the same type/size.
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Thursday, November 26th, 2020 AT 8:52 AM (Merged)
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,544 POSTS
  • 1999 FORD RANGER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 89,000 MILES
1999 Ford Ranger mileage: 89,000. Recently the rear running lights, dash lights, and windshield wipers all stopped working at the same time. I suspect a lose or bad ground. Is there something in common to all of these components that could cure the problem? The rear turn signals and break light work fine!
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Thursday, November 26th, 2020 AT 8:52 AM (Merged)
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,544 POSTS
Check the fuse panel for a blown fuse. Test the fuses with the circuit under load (running lights switched on).
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Thursday, November 26th, 2020 AT 8:52 AM (Merged)
Tiny
STARNEWS
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1998 FORD RANGER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 133,000 MILES
I recently purchased my truck thru a dealership. Only a portion of the dashboard lights up. So I can see half of the speedometer, and can't see the rest of the gauges at all, as there is no light. Do you know how this can be fixed and how much it might cost to repair it?
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Thursday, November 26th, 2020 AT 8:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,029 POSTS
Ok first off you will need to remove the instrument cluster and then you can check the bulbs to see if they are bad or not if bad then replace the bad ones. Other wise it may be the headlight switch. As for cost it depends on weather you do it yourself or not. Hope this helps if you need more let me know.
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Thursday, November 26th, 2020 AT 8:53 AM (Merged)

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