Instrument panel too dim to read

Tiny
VAUGHNC
  • MEMBER
  • 1989 MERCURY COUGAR
  • 3.8L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 268,227 MILES
Gauges all work but are too dim to read with or without lights on. Can be seen (sort of) with flashlight aimed at instrument panel. Also, headlights do not come on but running lights do. I replaced inside fuse and headlight switch. Still no change. Should I change all panel light bulbs, headlights, headlight relay fuse? Need some advice. Thank you.
Thursday, March 29th, 2018 AT 6:12 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,853 POSTS
I would try a new headlight switch since both feeds for the headlights and the instrument cluster lights come from that head light switch.
Is it the actual gauges that are dim or the illumination bulbs that light up the entire instrument cluster and is this an analog or electronic instrument cluster?
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Friday, March 30th, 2018 AT 6:46 AM
Tiny
VAUGHNC
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  • 2 POSTS
Because I already replaced headlight switch I did put new headlight switch in and did not do anything. The plug looked good too. So now what? The only thing that really lights up when starting are the check engine and door ajar lights.
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Friday, March 30th, 2018 AT 7:00 AM
Tiny
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  • MECHANIC
  • 1,853 POSTS
I missed that. Using a voltmeter check how much voltage you have available at the headlight switch coming in and how much coming out. If the voltage is less than twelve volts coming in, trace back and find out where you are losing the voltage at. If the voltage coming in is fine and the voltage coming out is okay, then the problem may be with the ground.
Let me know the results of the voltage in and out with the headlamp switch on of course then I will let you know where to test next.
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Friday, March 30th, 2018 AT 7:37 AM

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