Gauge Cluster went out

[ryana83]

So I was driving to my buddies dorm the other day and I went over a large bump. As soon as I look down, all my lights on the gauge cluster and the clock went out and now I cannot see when it is dark. Could I have popped a ground loose or something? The clock still works, but it is not illuminated when the headlights are on. Anyone else have problems like this?

Thanks,
Ryan

 

[iskatevert]

Could be a fuse? not sure , but when this happened in my SLO it was the dimmer switch. I could put the interior light on, with the switch all the way up, and the dash lights would illuminate, but any setting lower than that would be absolute darkness. Had to drive with a flashlight until my replacement came off ebay! Hope this helps.

 

[ryana83]

Not fuse related

No, it is not a fuse. I checked that a couple of minutes after I hit that bump. I am more leaning toward a ground being loose. I just have to find the time between school and work to get off my butt. But anyway, has anyone else had a problem like this?

Ryan

 

[brancart1]

Yea i had the exact same problem, well actually my SHO still doesnt have cluster lights at night but i had it looked at by a mechanic, and it was the dimmer switch, i guess that also controls the lights for the cluster. Im pretty sure your having the same problem, i havent changed the dimmer switch thats why mine is still like that but get yours looked at, or replace it.

 

[SHO#7]

I agree, sounds like a dimmer switch to me. Good luck checking for grounds, but I would recommend replacement of the dimmer switch too.

 

[jelloslug]

There is really no way to "knock a ground lose" in the lighting circuit. If it is the dimmer switch you can check it by turning it to the interior lights on setting. If the dash lights come back on the dimmer switch is toast. I had that happen in my '90. You should replace it with one from a 2nd gen car; they are designed much differently in the inside and don't have the flaws of the older style units.

 

[bittertech]

I upgraded my stereo, left a wire bare that grounded out, and my cluster lights died. Yes, it was the dimmer switch (theres a diode that goes across it I think I killed).

$5 from the local junkyard got the switch assembly, screwdriver to pry the old one out. Not difficult at all.