Dashboard Backlight Not Working (sometimes)

[Osaka]

Hey guys,

I have gotten a 95 Taurus SHO running, 3.2 ATX. I noticed that it’s like a 50/50 chance that the dash lights actually function. Currently, turn signals and all indicators work except for the speedometer, RPM gauge and fuel/heat thingy. So at night I am not able to see any of it. Additionally, when my headlights are on I noticed that my clock and A/C lights flicker or near fade.

But sometimes they do work and it seems to be a random issue. I have checked the fuses and see no blown ones. Has anyone else ram into this issue and could help me out?

 

[rubydist]

It sounds like you have an intermittent ground somewhere in the dash area. Unfortunately, you will just have to dig through the wire harness under the dash and remove, clean and reinstall all the grounding points that you find until you get the result you are looking for.

 

[Osaka]

It sounds like you have an intermittent ground somewhere in the dash area. Unfortunately, you will just have to dig through the wire harness under the dash and remove, clean and reinstall all the grounding points that you find until you get the result you are looking for.

I will try this out. How do I identify a grounding point?

 

[rubydist]

There are several places where there is a wire or wires with a ring terminal bolted to some metal part of the dash or firewall or kick panel. those are what you are looking for.

 

[Jim Leyden]

I would look at the dimmer potentiometer. They get scratchy.

 

[rubydist]

That would account for the backlighting not working, but should not impact the tach or fuel or temp gauge working.

 

[Osaka]

That would account for the backlighting not working, but should not impact the tach or fuel or temp gauge working.

is there any sort of guide or instructions online covering how to get at the dimmer potentiometer? i have a maint manual but can’t seem to find it in here

 

[Greg Corcoran]

That would account for the backlighting not working, but should not impact the tach or fuel or temp gauge working.

Since we're talking dash backlighting - on my '95 the far left and one of the middle backlights do not come on (most of the time). This weekend it was just the far left that was out. I need to dig into the dash cluster sometime to get the trip odometer repaired/replaced. I am curious if these lights are replaceable bulbs or LEDs soldered into a board like my 2005 Jeep. If LEDs, does anyone know the part number so I can get them on order? Hoping to do both lights and trip odometer at one time.

 

[Osaka]

Since we're talking dash backlighting - on my '95 the far left and one of the middle backlights do not come on (most of the time). This weekend it was just the far left that was out. I need to dig into the dash cluster sometime to get the trip odometer repaired/replaced. I am curious if these lights are replaceable bulbs or LEDs soldered into a board like my 2005 Jeep. If LEDs, does anyone know the part number so I can get them on order? Hoping to do both lights and trip odometer at one time.

when i disassembled mine, there was a bulb that was able to be switched out easily however some portions of it were soldered. are you needing the part number for the boards or the lights?

 

[Greg Corcoran]

when i disassembled mine, there was a bulb that was able to be switched out easily however some portions of it were soldered. are you needing the part number for the boards or the lights?

I presume the light bulb part number based on your reply. Although I'm a bit confused how some bulbs would be soldered? On my '05 Jeep GC the backlights in the center stack were LEDs and they were all soldered in.