Dash lights not working
 

So today I was messing around with my instrument cluster. Found the little switch and took out the headlight knob so I could remove the panel around the gauge cluster. I put it all back together and now my dash lights don't work. Gauges all work. Headlights work. Switch to the dome light works when turned all the way. But no lights to instrument panel nor any of the HVAC or shifter lights. Radio light and radio does work.

I think I messed up the headlight switch somehow when I took out the headlight knob. Fuse number five and nine in the interior fuse box are OK.

Messed around with the headlight switch a bit and the instrument lights came on for about two seconds then went out again. So I know it's probably the switch. Dammit.

So is there a trip to the pick and pull in my future or does anyone think it'll be worth it to pull the switch out and try to service it somehow.

Just replace the switch, there is no sence in dinking with the old one, it's junk.

You're right. New one from O'Reilly's is only $28 bucks. Picking one up tomorrow.

I took out the switch and tried to clean out the contacts. There's a small copper insert in the switch that looks like got loose when I tried to feel around to find the knob release button. I tried to get it back where it looks like it should go but no dice.

Ok it wasn't the headlight switch. Swapped a new one in. Same thing. No dash lights and I also notice no rear parking lights with the headlights on. Headlights do work though. Rear lights work when applying brakes.

I'm thinking fuse even though it looks good. Will try to swap out a new five amp fuse tomorrow. I tried to swap in a ten amp fuse just to try it out. Didn't do anything. Gah.

Maybe I disconnected some wire or something in there accidentally. Gonna try the fuse tomorrow and then trouble shoot from there.

Any ideas?

Have you installed an aftermarket stereo recently?

Fixed. It wasn't the passenger side kick panel "dash light" fuse (number six, a 5 amp fuse). It was the "headlight switch and data connector" 20 amp fuse in the PDC under the hood.

Apparently I am an idiot and didn't disconnect the negative battery when I was taking out my instrument cluster and when I messed with the headlight switch to remove the cluster panel it shorted it. DOH!!

Live and learn. It's not the first stupid thing I've done with my XJ.

In the picture it's the 20 amp fuse on the bottom row of the smaller mini fuses in the middle. Attachment 147485

I am having the same problem but my fuses are good I replaced the switch and connector when I saw that it was melted put it all back together and still nothing

Aftermarket stereo
 

I'm having the same issue as was in the thread you commented on. I did just install a radio and I am having the same issues my dash lights not working and my running light not coming on but I do have head lights and break lights I'm not exactly sure if that rings any bells but it has me stumped. I've checked the fuses and relay's as well as just replaced the dang swith I'm not sure if I could have a wiring issue but I had seen the comment you made and was wondering if you knew something I didn't.

When I installed my new stereo after putting it all back together I kept blowing a fuse for the dash lights. Turned out to be a wire that was probably for the switch for something that was removed, it was open and touching the frame in the dash. I used some shrink tape and then taped it more with electrical tape so that the hot wire could not short out the dash lights any more.

I am having the same problem with our 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee. I don't think I am as mechanically inclined as you all are, but trying to get this fixed for my kids. I have tried researching the fuse box for the 2004 Jeep GC, but I am not seeing anything that reads as "headlight switch and data connector" for the PDC. Any suggestions as to which fuse I need to take a look at? Thanks.

Hi I did, think I may have missed a Wire?

Hi I did, did I miss a wire?

I have the same problem and when taking out my dash for the heater core, I noticed that the copper spring is not touching the copper track insert in the plastic when it is in the 'dash lights on' position. I bent it to make it stay on the track but have not tested it yet because dash is out. I will check that fuse as well, thanks for the help.

Dash Lights Not Working (97 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo)
 

I joined to post my solution to this problem after it drove me nuts off and on for a few months. I tried everything...finally read a post that mentioned aftermarket radios and the radio illumination wire, orange in my case which is standard I think. The dash lights are wired through the factory stereo so when an aftermarket is put in you have to tie the dash lights back in somehow. I did this by pulling my cluster panel out, doing a little research to determine corresponding contacts for ground and back light, I determined the back light to be the orange wire on the connector to the cluster so I spliced into it while leaving it all connected and ran it to the orange wire on my stereo wiring harness. After lots of trial and error and thanks to other people posting their solutions I finally have beautiful, bright dash lights! Hope this helps someone!

Thanks for all you guyzes input.

I have been trying to figure out the dash light dilemma on my (new to me) 93 Cherokee.
I to just replaced the switch today, and still no dash lights..................:wallbash:
So when the rain stops up here, I will go down and take my dash apart. When I pulled the radio, and HVAC control out the other day I noticed some........................ ummmmerrrrr ""custom" wiring done to the HVAC controller, so who knows what else the POS errr I mean previous owner did to things.
But I will check the stereo install they did thanks to you guys!