Jim_1979 Posted January 14, 2007 Share Posted January 14, 2007 My dash lights were out on the car when I got it (speedo, rev counter etc). Thought it was the dimmer switched, so replaced it (with what i thought was a working one?)... still no dash lights tho. It still blows the dash lights fuse. Anyone got any ideas where to go from here? Is there a way to test the dimmer switch to rule that out. (with a multimeter) What next??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Posted January 14, 2007 Share Posted January 14, 2007 Does your Ciggy lighter work? ISTR that the cig lighter fuse can cause problems with the rest of the dash. Worth checking anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim_1979 Posted January 14, 2007 Author Share Posted January 14, 2007 Not sure... I'll check. So if the ciggy lighter is duff, is it likely to stop the speedo lights working? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Posted January 14, 2007 Share Posted January 14, 2007 Something like that. I don't remember exactly but I seem to recall somebody saying something along those lines. Like I said, worth a shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guru Posted January 14, 2007 Share Posted January 14, 2007 Cig lighter fuse will make the dash lights not work but also the fans and everything on that panel! Easy way to check on that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guru Posted January 14, 2007 Share Posted January 14, 2007 Doesn't affect the speedo sorry.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim_1979 Posted January 14, 2007 Author Share Posted January 14, 2007 dash lights work (ie all the heater lights etc) Simply not the speedo, rev, fuel lights etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Posted January 14, 2007 Share Posted January 14, 2007 This is the thread I was thinking of: http://www.mkivsupra.net/vbb/showthread.php?p=895911&highlight=lighter+fuse#post895911 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim_1979 Posted January 14, 2007 Author Share Posted January 14, 2007 I'm going to go and check all the fuses in the drivers foot well...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim_1979 Posted January 14, 2007 Author Share Posted January 14, 2007 well as it was getting dark out there, I didn't check all the fuses, but the cig lighter fues is defo ok. Anyone got any other ideas?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike M Posted January 14, 2007 Share Posted January 14, 2007 Your 7.5A fuse in the engine bay is ok Yeah? The one that says Dome I think. I managed to blow that one doing my LED conversion and I lost all the dial lights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim_1979 Posted January 14, 2007 Author Share Posted January 14, 2007 aah... not checked that!! But the one marked Panel is blowing in the footwell, could this be blowing because the dome fuse has blown?? I think I'm gonna bridge the wires and bypass the dimmer switch. It could be possible that the 2nd hand dimmer switch I've bought is also faulty? Getting a bit dark out there now tho... Might still give it a bash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUPRALOOPY Posted January 14, 2007 Share Posted January 14, 2007 you've got a dead short somewhere, you need to find out what that fuse protects and disconnect all those parts, then reconnect til the fuse goes pop and then you know whats causing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim_1979 Posted January 14, 2007 Author Share Posted January 14, 2007 Well I've just been out to the car. Attempted to bypass the dimmer switch. Connected both wires that were not the earth (on the dimmer plug). The heater lights etc dimmed when the lights were turned on, but the speedo lights still didn't come on? Weird thing was that the odometer blacked out when I put the lights on? Tried connected the wires for the dimmer socket the other two possible ways it it simply blew the fuse out. I then just plugged the socket back into the back of the dimmer switch as it was originally and everything was back to normal (no dash lights), but at least the odometer was normal again. One thing I did notice is that the oil lights etc seemed to have a loose connection (possibly just the plug going into the back of it) because I had to wiggle it to get them to come on (when ignition on, but not turned over). Fixed them with some tape for now, so at least they're ok. FFS.... I just don't know where to start!! I know someone who said he had a similar problem, was something to do the led's on his clocks, loose solder connections or something?? Should I rip the clocks out?? Would I be able to find a fault there somehow? TBH... I'm ruddy stumped here... !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim_1979 Posted January 14, 2007 Author Share Posted January 14, 2007 you've got a dead short somewhere, you need to find out what that fuse protects and disconnect all those parts, then reconnect til the fuse goes pop and then you know whats causing it. ???... how would I know what it all protects?? Should I just give up and send it off to the Auto electricians?? ££££ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUPRALOOPY Posted January 14, 2007 Share Posted January 14, 2007 i take it you have not got a manual or wiring diagram?.i'll see if i can find some info for you..what fuse is going pop all the time? what amp is it? and i take it you've checked its not just blown bulbs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim_1979 Posted January 14, 2007 Author Share Posted January 14, 2007 Cheers... Nah, I don't have a manual/wiring diagram. It's the "panel" fuse - 10A. TBH, I've not checked to see if it's a case of blown bulbs. Is it possible that the speedo cluster bulbs could blow?? Thus resulting in a fuse blowing all the time until the bulb is replaced?? Never thought of that. This is really peeving me off!!... lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUPRALOOPY Posted January 14, 2007 Share Posted January 14, 2007 unlikey but possible. it is normally the dimmer. Does it blow straight away? i:e you turn the ign off replace the fuse and the moment you turn the ign back on it goes bang? or is it only when you turn the lights on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim_1979 Posted January 14, 2007 Author Share Posted January 14, 2007 As far as I noticed it's when I turn the lights on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim_1979 Posted January 14, 2007 Author Share Posted January 14, 2007 unlikey but possible. it is normally the dimmer. Does it blow straight away? i:e you turn the ign off replace the fuse and the moment you turn the ign back on it goes bang? or is it only when you turn the lights on? I did get a 2nd hand dimmer switch, but tbh for all I know it could have been faulty? Is there a way to test it using a multimeter when it's off the car to see if it's faulty? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUPRALOOPY Posted January 14, 2007 Share Posted January 14, 2007 its ohms resisted i think.. so yes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim_1979 Posted January 14, 2007 Author Share Posted January 14, 2007 how do you go about testing it then??... lol I have a multimeter... just not too sure what to do with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUPRALOOPY Posted January 14, 2007 Share Posted January 14, 2007 you will have an + and - side to the switch and with the meter set to say 20k ohms you should be able to read the resistance. o being to ground and anything else is the resistance I:E how dim the panel lights are. i'm not very good at explaining stuff like this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim_1979 Posted January 14, 2007 Author Share Posted January 14, 2007 you will have an + and - side to the switch and with the meter set to say 20k ohms you should be able to read the resistance. o being to ground and anything else is the resistance I:E how dim the panel lights are. i'm not very good at explaining stuff like this. I know what you mean.. lol. The meter and the dimmer switch are both in the car at the mo.. lol. I'm thinking I'm just gonna book it into the auto electricians to be honest, unless anyone else has any ideas?? .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUPRALOOPY Posted January 14, 2007 Share Posted January 14, 2007 its gonna be something silly so don't waste your money on an auto leccy just yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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