AMP76

Hey all...

I have a '97 GC Laredo. The lights on the instrumment panel and around the a/c controls are all out (the guages and controls still work fine). When I slide the dimmer all the way on, the dome lights do come on, but nothing else. I've checked (replaced) the 7.5amp fuse w/no victory. I pulled off the dash earlier to check the dimmer switch, but came across a big module which contained both the dimmer and the headlight switches. Figuring I couldn't crack it open to check for obvious wiring/connection problems, my next step is to defer to all you's experts.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance....

Bustedback

Have you installed an aftermarket stereo recently?

E-Rok

yea typically if your dash lights are out, the radio fuse shorted out. check the radio fuse

Bustedback

A lot of times when an aftermarket stereo is installed by a DYIer they make a common mistake of wiring the new head unit to the dimmer circuit in the factory radio harness, the first time the headlights are turned on the fuse for the dash lights and running lights blows.

AMP76

Thanks, I'll check the radio fuse tomorrow am, although the radio works fine....

The radio IS after market, but I just bought the Jeep, so I don't know when it was installed. When I bought the Jeep (two days ago) all the lights worked. When I drove it at night yesterday, I first noticed that the VIC was blank. Then I turned on my headlights, but nothing illuminated on the dash (except for the radio). Even the lights that illuminate the gears on the shifter are out.

I'll let you know about the radio fuse....

GI-Jeepin'

I bow to Bustedback on this one. I did that very same thing and not only lost my dash lights but my tail lights and headlights as well. In my case, an 01 GC it was the orange wire used as the accessory power. Bad JuJu.

jnicewan

Out of the headlamp switch the dimmer circuit wire color is black/white, it goes to the body control module and the illumination circuit wiring color is orange from there to all the bulbs.

AMP76

All,

Thanks for the info... radio fuse is intact. Don't have time today to dismantle the dash and steering column to get to the dimmer/headlight module, so I'll wait til Monday (my day off) and get back to it.

In the meantime, any other leads/advice is most welcome.

E-Rok

All you have to do to get to the headlight module is pull off he fake wood trim, and remove the module via the 2 or 3 screws holding it in place

Bustedback

Just pull the deck out and clip the dimmer circuit wire to the deck. The radio fuse won't blow, the panel and running light fuse will blow.

gmv93

probably dimmer is problematic. mine was flickering, i resldered all points on its PCB, may be yours is totaly lost a soldering point who knows.

AMP76

My mind is blown.

After rigging a temporary fix to the no illumination problem (12V LEDs that plug into the lighter) I pulled out the radio deck to plug in a new antenna. The aftermarket radio (Sony CDX-L510X) was never problematic; it always came on, lit up, kept the time, played CDs, and played radio stations (when I could tune one in with the broken antenna).

Now, seemingly by simply pulling the deck and swapping antennae, the following problems occur:

When I open any door, a rapid, loud tapping is heard coming from under the glove box. It ceases when I shut the door.

When I open any door, no dome lights come on, but the floor lights do.

When I insert the key and turn the ignition to "ON" I hear three chimes, but they are weak and distorted. The radio doesn't light up or turn on.

When I start the Jeep and its running, the radio buttons and face will light up for a second, then go out. Over and over. The VIC flashes. The floor lights that illuminate when the door is open will turn on, get brighter, then dimmer, then shut off. Over and over. Same thing with the light that comes on when I open the back hatch.

The dome lights will not work, period.

No fuses are blown.

I verified that the radio is connected as it ought to be. Trying to isolate the problem, I completely disconnected the radio and all the problems I mentioned above still exist.

When I pulled the deck I looked for the orange wire; it was disconnected, along with the blue/red one. The speaker wires, power from the ignition, power from the battery, and ground were all connected. There seems to be no place to hook up the OR or DB/RD wires to the radio.

I work nights, and the 40 minute commute with no radio and the lights going on and off constantly is absolutely nerve-wrecking. All I want for Christmas is a solution!!

Thanks again....

gmv93

there should be a grounding problem since our jeeps are not that complicated.

AMP76

Thanks, dick.