Cable

Hey guys, since I bought my '89 XJ my dash lights have never worked. I did a search and most guys say when the dash lights aren't working, neither do their tail lights, but my tail lights work just fine. I figured it might be a burnt board in the dash and since I wanted a factory tach dash I bought one and I just swapped to the tach dash hoping it would solve the problem to no avail.

I assume the headlight switch isn't the problem since my headlights and tail lights come on just fine. I just checked the 7.5 amp fuse labeled 'instrument lighting', I pulled the fuse and its fine, but I am not getting power on either side of contact in the fuse box itself, so the power isn't even making it to the fuse box under the dash..

Am I missing something?

Any help is welcomed and thanked in advance.

Bustedback

Turn the headlamp **** a few times back and forth. It very well could be the headlamp switch, the dimmer part of the switch could be worn out.

Cable

I just did that, nothing.

Wouldn't I still have power at the fuse block if the dimmer switch was bad?

got2lovethexj

when u check the power to the fuse for instument panel turn on the head lights. try and turn the dimmer back and forth and click it and c if u get any power. sometimes the headlight switch has to be on to get power to that fuse. if u dont get any power then u have a problem with the wiring or a bad relay or a fuseable link.

R Cannon

I think OUR Jeeps have goblins in that wiring. My Headlights dimmer etc etc, work when THEY want to. I hate diagnosing electrical! Not much help here.

R Cannon

Sounds right. SO X2.

R Cannon

That switch sounds REAL familiar.

Cable

Damn, its $40. I hope its the problem....

theo9805

had the same issue, all my lights worked except for my dash/dimmer lights. ended up being my license plate light (still lit up, but was darkened and was enough to short the fuse). pull all the bulbs on the circuit one by one. it may be a tail light or license plate light even if it still lights up!!

joelfett

Pretty sure that it's your headlight switch...I just replaced mine and I had the same issues on my 92 as you.....after looking at the wiring diagram in my Haynes, it shows that the power goes to the headlight switch BEFORE it gets to the fuse block and then gives power to the panel lights....not logical, but that's what I found. Lights back to normal when switch was replaced....Hope this helps and works for ya!

johnnyboy1984

Hi all, i wonder if anybody can help me!?

I have a 93 cherokee that all of a sudden blew the 5 amp instrument panel/radio/interior lights fuse. I replaved the fuse, turned up the headlight dimmer switch and pop - it blew again. I have had every bulb/component i can think of unplugged but it still blows the fuse when i turn up the dimmer switch. So i decided to replace the headlight switch - with no joy.

Any help would be fantastic