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Dash lights are out...

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Old Aug 2, 2008 | 09:20 AM
  #1  
Mykal's Avatar
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From: Morgantown, WV
Year: 1995
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Default Dash lights are out...

The dash lights do not illuminate when you pull the headlight switch out.

All of my exterior lights work fine.
The high beam lamp comes on with high beams.
The low fuel light illuminates.
Checked the fuse and its good.

Where do I start?
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Old Aug 2, 2008 | 09:54 AM
  #2  
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Take a look at the headlight switch. They had some known issues with the internal contacts going bad and doing exactly what you are describing.
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Old Aug 2, 2008 | 10:50 AM
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The **** you pull out is a reostat to dim the lights and may have a bad contact point too. Try rotating it back and forth a few times to clean it. If that doesn't work it may be time for a new switch.
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Old Aug 2, 2008 | 11:08 AM
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Originally Posted by BlueXJ
Try rotating it back and forth a few times to clean it.
Tried that, didnt work.

I figured it was the switch but wasnt sure of a way to test it. Ill live with it.
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Old Aug 2, 2008 | 11:25 AM
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hehe just had this happen..on your interior fuse block you have a fuse for the dimmer/console lights..replace it..I think it's a 15 or 20 amp fuse..

Anytime something electrical does not work you always start with fuses ie the simplest thing then move to the harder more complex issues..
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Old Aug 2, 2008 | 11:48 AM
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Originally Posted by okcjeeper
hehe just had this happen..on your interior fuse block you have a fuse for the dimmer/console lights..replace it..I think it's a 15 or 20 amp fuse..

Anytime something electrical does not work you always start with fuses ie the simplest thing then move to the harder more complex issues..
OKC he said in his original post that the fuse was good so I took him at his word. The switch may need replacing as I had to change mine when I had the Jeep only a couple of months. It was hot enough to melt some of the plastic of the switch housing.
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Old Aug 2, 2008 | 01:22 PM
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Originally Posted by BlueXJ
OKC he said in his original post that the fuse was good so I took him at his word. The switch may need replacing as I had to change mine when I had the Jeep only a couple of months. It was hot enough to melt some of the plastic of the switch housing.
lmao I guess I should learn to read better... Sorry about that I just totally missed where he said his fuses were good..
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Old Aug 2, 2008 | 01:25 PM
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Originally Posted by okcjeeper
hehe just had this happen..on your interior fuse block you have a fuse for the dimmer/console lights..replace it..I think it's a 15 or 20 amp fuse..

Anytime something electrical does not work you always start with fuses ie the simplest thing then move to the harder more complex issues..
Originally Posted by Mykal
The dash lights do not illuminate when you pull the headlight switch out.

All of my exterior lights work fine.
The high beam lamp comes on with high beams.
The low fuel light illuminates.

Checked the fuse and its good.

Where do I start?
Thanks!
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Old Aug 2, 2008 | 08:29 PM
  #9  
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Originally Posted by Mykal
Thanks!
Yeah I know I for some odd reason missed that part of your post...
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Old Sep 14, 2008 | 01:39 PM
  #10  
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Year: 1997
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Engine: 4.0 inline 6
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pull the dash panel out and check the lights. they are in a little black twist connect and they are marked on the board what they are. the light assembly is 2.99 at napa and the light by itself is just .99 cents.
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Old Sep 14, 2008 | 01:41 PM
  #11  
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sounds to me like the switch has went out
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Old Sep 14, 2008 | 01:59 PM
  #12  
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I don't know if this is the case but if you installed an aftermarket stereo there are a few wires in the back that if you don't hook up right the lights won't work. On my 92 I put the original stereo back in and I forgot to hook up the ground or something and the dash lights won't come on.
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Old May 17, 2012 | 04:54 AM
  #13  
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Originally Posted by Jabo
sounds to me like the switch has went out
You're right. If you pull back and forth on the switch a couple times you'll find out that in between one of the positions all your lights will work. Switch needs replaced.
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Old Jun 7, 2012 | 01:38 AM
  #14  
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Didn't want to make a new thread and get crap for it from double posting...my dash lights stopped working and I have replaced the switch a few months ago. If the switch is the problem and melted again is there anything I could do to prevent going thru a new switch every few months?? BTW I have an all led cluster if that means anything...
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Old Jun 7, 2012 | 06:58 AM
  #15  
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Originally Posted by xjknut11
Didn't want to make a new thread and get crap for it from double posting...my dash lights stopped working and I have replaced the switch a few months ago. If the switch is the problem and melted again is there anything I could do to prevent going thru a new switch every few months?? BTW I have an all led cluster if that means anything...
Yes. Install a headlight upgrade harness. You'll have about 30% brighter headlamps and the electrical load will no longer be on the switch. Easy to install. You can get one here pre-made.


http://www.eautoworks.com/Putco-H4--...s-PRD7540.aspx
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