Stickers_XJ

Hey everyone, about two weeks ago I was pulling into my driveway and my dash/shifter lights shut off on their own. I haven't had them working since. My dome lights, headlights, tail lights, and fog lights still work, as well as my gauges. Ive disconnected and reconnected the battery, torn apart the dash to check for loose wires, checked relays in the engine bay and under the dash, checked/swapped fuses, and I've done my fair share of angry pounding on the dashboard. The only aftermarket parts are the stereo and some of the dash bulbs, but the bulbs have worked for months and the radio still works. It's a 1990 Jeep Cherokee. I'll take any suggestions or ideas

Histriker1

Have you looked at the headlight switch? The power runs through the switch, so your exterior lights may work, but dash lights might not. Inspect the connector and switch for any obvious signs of damage.

freegdr

Turn headlight switch **** counter clockwise ?

Stickers_XJ

Is there a way to take the switch out to get a closer look? It's so hard to get to even when I take the dash apart

Stickers_XJ

No matter how much I try, turning it only gets me to turning on the dome lights. The dash lights no longer start to light up as the switch turns

DeadmeatXJ

I hope you already checked the fuse...

There are vids on youtube for pulling the headlight switch, pretty sure it has an e-clip on the end of the shaft that lets you pull it out. Then get out the multimeter and check for voltage into and out of the switch.

Histriker1

You remove the lower dash panel, that gives you access under neath to reach a hold. You will push a button on the bottom of the switch which will allow the ****/shaft to pull out. Then you remove the retainer screw on the front with a large flat blade screwdriver. After this you can pull out the switch from the back and get clear access to inspect. Do you have access to a multimeter?

Stickers_XJ

Is a multimeter something I can just buy or would I have to go to a shop to have someone do that

Stickers_XJ

UPDATE:
I don't have a multimeter, but I took the switch out and took a look at it. I cleaned it up and made sure it moved smoothly, put it back in, and still no dash lights. Should I just get a new switch to put in?

freegdr

I would and buy a test light.

Gordon Rosen Jr

If you look by your fuse box on passenger side up in there there's a ground wire I had grounded it to my dash bolt was fine till dash .bolt broke somehow so grounded to seat i now have my tach speedometer fuel all guages and odometer work it doesn't say no buss anymore

BlueRidgeMark

Hi, Gordon. Welcome to the forum.

Please check the dates on the posts before responding. Otherwise, the zombies will get you!


This thread is almost a year old!

Stickers_XJ

That’s okay that the thread’s old. I still get updates, and the message that he posted has given me another thing to try to check out