Why do the lights under the tachometer and temperature gauge only come on when the car is started?

RYAN LEVINGSTON

MEMBER
2007 DODGE CHARGER
3.5L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
316,950 MILES

Hey guys, I’ve been experiencing some issues with my car and was wondering if y’all could help me out with why the lights under the tachometer and temperature gauge only come on when the car is started. I’ve checked all connections cleaned everything up the best I could, I’ve noticed my 25-amp fuse in the trunk once pulled is kind of burnt towards the plastic. Could that be it?

Tuesday, July 11th, 2023 AT 5:58 AM

5 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
54,144 POSTS

A burnt fuse is not good. Can you replace the fuse to see if that fixes it? Also, I am not sure which lights you are talking about; do you mean the instrument cluster illumination lights? Please upload pictures or videos of the problem so we can see what's going on.

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Tuesday, July 11th, 2023 AT 5:37 PM

RYAN LEVINGSTON

MEMBER
13 POSTS

The illumination lights on the right side of the instrument cluster. I took apart the dash to clean it, lord knows when the last time that has happened and cleaned up a bunch of gunk. Is there a replacement bulb for the gear shift light I’ll upload another picture when I get back to the car.

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Wednesday, July 12th, 2023 AT 5:27 AM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
54,144 POSTS

These lights are LED if the gear shift lights are the same as the odometer. I would replace the burnt fuse and check the others and if everything seems okay you probably have an instrument cluster going out. You can get a preprogrammed unit by searching Google or Ebay. Check out the images (below). Please let us know how it goes.

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Thursday, July 13th, 2023 AT 9:40 AM

RYAN LEVINGSTON

MEMBER
13 POSTS

Thank you for the reference, it was a wire that was knicked causing me to blow another fuse. Any tips on air intake actuator or vacuum seal breaks?

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Thursday, July 13th, 2023 AT 9:13 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
54,144 POSTS

Glad you could get it fixed, thanks for letting us know. Please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.

Sorry we only handle one problem per thread, please post your new question here, you must be logged in.

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/new

Cheers, Ken

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Friday, July 14th, 2023 AT 9:20 AM