I just picked up an 87 Limited with 153XXX on it. Overall in good shape but a few small issues. One is the lights in the instrument panel. It had no fuse so I put one in, it lasted about 5 minutes before blowing. Where so I start trying to troubleshoot this? Thanks in advance!!

 

Guess I need to find a more interesting problem to get a response.

 

What was the amperage fuse that you put in and did the lights work correctly after putting a fuse in? Did it have a fuse to begin with? A previous owner might have removed a fuse do to a short in the system. It might be worth picking up a service manual so you can trace the electrical system. I'll see if I can find mine when I get home. I'm in classes and its at my house, lol. Good luck!

 

I had the same problem but mine just ended up being a fuse. It was a 5 amp. When I was reading about it though I found that its commonly a short or the actual headlight switch goes bad. Also I saw somewhere that it is tied into your licence plate light, so it couldnt hurt to check that as well.

 

It had no fuse when I got it and I put in a 5 amp. It worked fine just sitting there but went out going down the drive way. I took the fully functional headlight switch out of my 94 and installed it. Now there are no lights but the fuse doesn't blow. I'm thinking a short somewhere in the harness that turned into an open when I pulled the panel out to trade out the headlight switch. Going to pull it all out again today and do some continuity testing on the appropriate wires.

I have a Haynes manual.

 

Turns out the headlight switch from the 94 is different from the one in the 87 and the problem is the headlight switch it seems. I jumpered the switch so the instrument lights come on when the headlights are on. Now on to the cruise control....