illumination problem (weird)

software.engineer · 08-13-2005, 08:45 AM

Hey fellas,

Having a problem getting my illumination to light up during the night; AC knobs, gauge cluster....I checked the illumination fuse and it looks fine to me. The funny thing is...when I remove the illumination fuse and try again, the lights NOW work (minus the AC knobs). Any ideas??

Bayou Titan · 08-13-2005, 08:48 AM

Does the dimmer switch work OK? Turn it off and on to see if it feels like it is broken.

software.engineer · 08-13-2005, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bayou Titan

Does the dimmer switch work OK? Turn it off and on to see if it feels like it is broken.

I'll give it a try. I can only get the illumination to work with the fuse out. Very strange. Once that fuse goes back in, its pure darkness and a very faint dim coming from the trip/odometer.

I guess I should mention that I did a radio install on my own. Radio / lighting worked fine until I put the SWI-X in there. It's just weird to me.

software.engineer · 08-13-2005, 09:16 AM

Tried the dimmer switch with the fuse in....nothing happens. A trip to the dealer may be imminent.

software.engineer · 08-13-2005, 10:37 AM

I realize that my memory seat buttons are out too. I give up.

Titan4x4Aggie · 08-13-2005, 11:45 AM

Maybe you didn't connect the wires correctly on your radio? Or maybe the radio has an internal short?

Nestor · 08-13-2005, 12:27 PM

Double check the SWI-X connections. Also, check your fuse list to see if everything that is malfunctioning is tied to the same fuse. Your wiring may be shorting to ground and dragging the voltage down for that cct.

*titanallover* · 08-13-2005, 12:29 PM

Had that problem, when my sound system didnt work right part of the interior failed to light up at night, it was a problem with a number of electrical wires that were replaced but now everywhere where they pulled the plastic off it rattles so i have to get that fixed too.

Bayou Titan · 08-13-2005, 12:32 PM

Maybe these diagrams can help:

software.engineer · 08-13-2005, 03:30 PM

Update:

Well, I ended up taking it to the dealer (not before removing all the aftermarket stuff and putting all the stock stuff back in). They did their "magic" and determined that it was a faulty dimmer switch. I guess it's pretty common because I've been looking around for answers and some are saying that their dimmer switched crapped out. Dealer ordered the part and I should be back in business. I guess I gotta remember to *disconnect the battery terminal*. Everything is back to normal at this point.

I'm kinda disappointed....everything was going so well...radio sounded great (ddx8017), swi-x was perfect, even had XM going as well. But man, when it got dark, it got DARK. It's going to be dark for the next few days.....

baseballfanz · 08-13-2005, 07:43 PM

My dimmer switch don't work either.

software.engineer · 08-14-2005, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baseballfanz

My dimmer switch don't work either.

What did you do to cause it?? Try and pull the illumination fuse from out of the engine compartment and see if the gauge cluster lights up again.