I'll bet that is my problem on my 2002 Suburban. I was just about to try replacing the bulbs in the instrument cluster when I found this video. I appreciate the way you repeat your thoughts and methodologies when explaining this. It helps me learn ways to approach problems like this. Awesome information!
Christmas Eve, 2024, heading home from my son's house about 10 PM. Got in my '99 S 10, turned on the headlights and...NO DASH LIGHTS! Fiddled with the dimmer, no luck. Had to drive about 9 miles on dimly or unlit roads not being able to see the gauges or the speedometer. No fun. YT is my go-to when oddball automotive things happen and I found this video. I probably should have done this 10 years ago when the dimmer rheostat started acting flaky but I've already ordered the new switch assembly. Well, I'm optimistic since, if the new switch lasts 20 years, it'll likely outlast me. Great video and thanks!
you are welcome. I couldn't find any info on it either when I had to fix my truck. that is why I went into detail in this vid. sorry for the poor quality vid but im glad that it helped you out
Thank you so much I didn’t have lights for over 4 years didn’t find nothing at the time till today I decided to look and I have lights now your awesome
Bro, I appreciate all the other fix it videos from all the professionals here on RUclips but your video beats them all buddy!!!💪🏼 Thanks for sharing, bro!!!
@rnmgarage9655 how can I test climate control. I have no light on climate control. 01 sliverado 1500.. I also had the same problem in the vid. Got it fixed now thanks to u.. just need help with the climate control light.
THANK YOU!!!! I've been trying to figure out this issue on my 01 for over a year, I already tried replacing the switch and it smoked as soon as I put it in. Had the dmm out and it was reading ground at the fuse. Then I found your video, it was the Illumination wire that was causing the short. I always heat shrink that wire when I install but the previous owner that did the wire harness did not. Once again, THANK YOU!!!
you are welcome. I went down the same road with researching this problem with no results and no info.. I made this vid out of frustration of the lack of disclosure from other vids. ..
Bro thank you so freaking much been without dahs lights for over a year now and changed the fuse box under the dash and everything till now I came across your vid and figured out my issue 🎉
@@jacewinchester-harmon7004 in my case I have a 2002, and the switch is harder to get and more expensive. I did this and that solved my dash light problems - although I can't dim them now.
Thank you. I think I ultimately had the exact same cause of the issue as was found in this video - the illumination wire to my new car stereo was grounding out, and blew out the dimmer switch. My new stereo does not use the car illumination power, so I left the wire unconnected, and stupidly did not cap the raw wire with tape. The wire must have connected with something grounded after driving a while. I won't make that mistake again, as it cost me plenty to fix considering it blew out the original dimmer switch and the next new switch I put in too. All the while, the 10 A inline fuse never blew out. I measured the draw on the line to be around 1.7 Amp, so using a much smaller fuse might be a good idea. Your suggestion for putting in a jumper wire between the headlights and the illumination circuit help give me instrument lights until the next switch arrives. Thank you for all that!
My solution for my Miata was to wire the gauge lights to their own circuit and put a fuse and a switch to turn them on and off it’s not the best but it works perfectly
I posted this vid because I ran into the same problem. everyone said they knew how to fix it and no one said how. this vid is long and drawn out because I literally recorded as I learned how to do it. this vid is starting to blow up and im getting thank you's from people that just want to fix their stuff. you are welcome. have a great night
Thanks, I ran across this accidentally, my dash lights go out sometimes and I play with the dimmer and they come back on. Maybe someday I will check this out ‘04 Z71.
This is very helpful, but I got a brand new dimmer switch and I still have a problem. The grey wires(stripe and solid) are not connected. I installed a new head unit which has no dimmer switch option. It goes by time of day. So I am trying to figure out a solution. I tried looping them, connecting the two grey wires, but it did not bring life to the switch.
96 caddy brougham, digital dash lights out, fuses good. This happened on a Lincoln I had, & had to replace the whole dash. Is there an easier, cheaper way, such as u showed?
It was the turn signal/ headlight switch on my 95 nissan truck. Sometimes they would work and sometimes not, it also affected my rear brake marker lights when the dash lights weren't working.
I just bought a 2001 S-10 and the instrument lights do not work. It also has an aftermarket radio. I wonder if when I remove the radio am I going to find the same wire had been grounded ruining the dimmer switch. I'll find out this weekend.
this is on a 2002 chev 2500 and all the chev trucks with that same head light switch. I do think they changed the wiring in the newer trucks. I cant completely answer your question because I have not looked into different year vehicles for this problem. I know this is not much help, but I dont want to guess they are the same and give you the wrong information. what make, model and year of vehicle are you asking about.
I got a weird scenario on my 2002 chevy avalanche 4wd Z71 1500. My left blinker works fine and blinks at the correct speed, but the light in the dash does not come on. Right side works 100%. Could this just be an individual bulb, or?
I have a question for you. My gauge lights work, no function issues at all,but the BUTTON lights on the dimmer, 4wd, and cargo switch are never on when I get in. I have to smack my dash in multiple spots to get each of them on, one at a time. Any idea?
2006 Chevy Silverado Z71, Dash lights work for the gauges, but left half of ac and radio lights are not on. I was trying to eject a CD and notices the left side only of those didn't light up. What is going on? I could use some advice
leave the orange wire alone. its the main power going into the switch . i was using it as a source of power to test the circuits. connect the blue wire to the green wire with a jumper. leave the wires connected to the switch. what you are doing is stealing dash light power from the head light circuit. watch from 7:04
I know you made this a year ago but if you jump the switch and your radio turns on, HVAC turns on, fuse doesn't blow, door buzzer starts working but the main cluster lights never turn on does that mean all of your main cluster bulbs are blown?
My issue is with my dome, map lights! They turn on when i open the door but when im inside and need to use them the front lights are dim and rear dont turn on at all but opening the door it works fine help?
wth! lord, I have a 2008 ford f 150 and the dash lights are off, I can't see the P R D N stuff is when switching its all off .. I have to go through wires just to turn them on ?
My 1999 Tahoe after sitting a few day cranks but no start. I have no dash lights and car will start when they come back on. I need to leave the key in the on position for a while and just wait. Eventually the dash , and ignition system then springs alive and the car starts. I can disconnect the battery and reconnect, the surge usually works as well. Any ideas or links to my issue? Cycling the key on and off generally doesn’t help.
Did you install an aftermarket radio cause my suburban has been having that issue it’s more then likely a weak alt or battery my dash lights went out and I still can’t figure that one out
Hello, my dash lights work when the lights are on. When I turn off the lights, the backlight goes out. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. oh yea, I replaced the switch and the problem remained.
I have same problem, same after market head unit, No dash guage lights or climate control lights, or headlight switch lights. I ran a jumper wire from the orange to the green wire and now I got all my lights back on. But where is my actual problem more than likely? The headlight switch itself? I pulled it and cleaned up contacts but mines looked way worse than yours does on the video and that didn't help at all.
Or to get more specific and exact with my issue will I have to get out the test light or multimeter and investigate further? I'm afraid I know the answer already. Lol. This video was the only one that helped me. I thank you for this video bro!
@@drewskidrankthebrewski4657 I would look at the wiring for a short or rubbed wire. and thank you for watching. I also search stuff on the tube and it always drives me nuts when no one shows in detail what they are doing or even if they know what they are doing. Im actully kinda stoked that this vid is helping out..
I have similar problem no dash light no speedometer no whipers n now my radio is not working I took everything apart but can’t find the problem my lights and everything els works but not my dash lights speedometer wipers n now the radio Is a 1989 gmc s15 Sierra just like the s10 what can be the problem budd ?
the truck in the video is a 02 Silverado 2500. if your Tahoe has the same switch and the same connector going to the switch it should work. I hope you get your truck fixed up and you have a great night
That's crazy cool, in a weird way.. I hope this vid helped you figure things out. I'm stoked that I could help out, and that this vid is doing some good.
with this truck the problem was with the dash light wire going to the stereo and not the stereo itself. that was the problem with this particularm truck.
blue wire to the green wire.. jump ahead to 7:34 in this vid. . the orange is main power, anything connected to that wire will be powered up all the time. . the green wire is the dash light wire. the light switch sends power to the dash lights on this wire. the blue wire is the clearance/marker light wire, the light switch sends power to the exterior lights on this wire. the dash lights go through a dimmer switch on the main light switch assembly, this is done so the driver can adjust his/her comfort level for driving. the dimmer burns out and takes out the dash lights.. installing a jumper wire to connect the two end wires (green and blue) will bypass the dimmer (you will no longer be able to dim the dash lights). . doing this will connect your dash lights to the exterior lights. . there is no problem doing this. the only reason the dimmer is a seaporate circuit is to allow the driver to adjust the dash lights. this can be a temporary patch to get you buy until you buy a new replacement head light switch assembly.... or this can be a permanent repair if you don't mind not being able to dim the dash lights. this will cause no harm to any of the lighting circuits, the contacts and wire gage are able to handle continued use with the extra load the dash lights will place on the exterior lighting circuit.
![Blox Fruits Dragon Rework Update [Full Stream]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/EqDAp8udhm0/mqdefault.jpg)
I'll bet that is my problem on my 2002 Suburban. I was just about to try replacing the bulbs in the instrument cluster when I found this video. I appreciate the way you repeat your thoughts and methodologies when explaining this. It helps me learn ways to approach problems like this. Awesome information!
Christmas Eve, 2024, heading home from my son's house about 10 PM. Got in my '99 S 10, turned on the headlights and...NO DASH LIGHTS! Fiddled with the dimmer, no luck. Had to drive about 9 miles on dimly or unlit roads not being able to see the gauges or the speedometer. No fun. YT is my go-to when oddball automotive things happen and I found this video. I probably should have done this 10 years ago when the dimmer rheostat started acting flaky but I've already ordered the new switch assembly. Well, I'm optimistic since, if the new switch lasts 20 years, it'll likely outlast me. Great video and thanks!
I had been looking for the solution for months, my friend, I did not find it until today, thank you very much
you are welcome. I couldn't find any info on it either when I had to fix my truck. that is why I went into detail in this vid. sorry for the poor quality vid but im glad that it helped you out
I had this same problem I spent hundreds trying to find the problem it turned out to be the multi function control switch
Smart man! I like how you isolated each component and diagd the problem! Very helpful!
Thank you so much I didn’t have lights for over 4 years didn’t find nothing at the time till today I decided to look and I have lights now your awesome
you are welcome... very happy the vid helped.
Bro, I appreciate all the other fix it videos from all the professionals here on RUclips but your video beats them all buddy!!!💪🏼
Thanks for sharing, bro!!!
thank you..
@rnmgarage9655 how can I test climate control. I have no light on climate control. 01 sliverado 1500.. I also had the same problem in the vid. Got it fixed now thanks to u.. just need help with the climate control light.
Thank you for now on out if anyone needs a fixing like this I will share this video your a life saver
VERY HELPFUL! THANKS FOR THIS VIDEO!!! I don't need my gauges to dim , so I'm not buying a new switch. I'm good! Thanks man!
THANK YOU!!!! I've been trying to figure out this issue on my 01 for over a year, I already tried replacing the switch and it smoked as soon as I put it in. Had the dmm out and it was reading ground at the fuse. Then I found your video, it was the Illumination wire that was causing the short. I always heat shrink that wire when I install but the previous owner that did the wire harness did not. Once again, THANK YOU!!!
you are welcome. I went down the same road with researching this problem with no results and no info.. I made this vid out of frustration of the lack of disclosure from other vids. ..
i always talk to myself , i enjoy a insightful conversation . great vid , some good tip there . thanks
Bro thank you so freaking much been without dahs lights for over a year now and changed the fuse box under the dash and everything till now I came across your vid and figured out my issue 🎉
You're the bomb dude!!! Exactly what I've been looking for!
Wow buddy! I have had this issue for months and YOU HELPED ME FIX IT. THANK YOU!
So a new switch would fix the issue?
@@jacewinchester-harmon7004 in my case I have a 2002, and the switch is harder to get and more expensive. I did this and that solved my dash light problems - although I can't dim them now.
Thank you. I think I ultimately had the exact same cause of the issue as was found in this video - the illumination wire to my new car stereo was grounding out, and blew out the dimmer switch. My new stereo does not use the car illumination power, so I left the wire unconnected, and stupidly did not cap the raw wire with tape. The wire must have connected with something grounded after driving a while. I won't make that mistake again, as it cost me plenty to fix considering it blew out the original dimmer switch and the next new switch I put in too. All the while, the 10 A inline fuse never blew out. I measured the draw on the line to be around 1.7 Amp, so using a much smaller fuse might be a good idea.
Your suggestion for putting in a jumper wire between the headlights and the illumination circuit help give me instrument lights until the next switch arrives. Thank you for all that!
You ROCK¡!!!!! I went from blue to green instead. The other way drained my battery.
Good job on the troubleshooting. I am a master electrician, and I hate trying to troubleshoot a vehicle.
Dude thank you! It turned out the switch was unplugged. Now I have lights! I would have never guessed to look there
sweet.. glad it was an easy fix..
Great video brother! Helped me diagnose my chevy
LOL!, Look he's talking to himself again! Thanks for the video
Hey bro you save me a lot thank you so much fix my 2000 Chevy Silverado 1500 your love save ❤❤❤❤
thank u so much you saved me a lot of money and time, you are the best!
you are welcome.. Im really happy that this vid has helped. have a great night
Good video Great information sad part is that I have the 2005 year so I have the green plug
VERY HELPFUL!!!
APPRECIATE YOU.
Great video I think that’s the problem with my Silverado pick up
Thanks brother helped me fix my truck 😁
your are welcome. Im happy to help out . have a great night
It's always good to nail it and avoid guesswork; good job 👍
My solution for my Miata was to wire the gauge lights to their own circuit and put a fuse and a switch to turn them on and off it’s not the best but it works perfectly
My Monte Carlo dash just went out 3 days ago! I checked every🤬 fuse, & this video saved me from using all these🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬 curse words! 😂👍 THEIR
I posted this vid because I ran into the same problem. everyone said they knew how to fix it and no one said how. this vid is long and drawn out because I literally recorded as I learned how to do it. this vid is starting to blow up and im getting thank you's from people that just want to fix their stuff. you are welcome. have a great night
Hi did this problem effect your radio as well, because my dash lights went out and also on my radio, which isn’t working currently
Thank you for making this video!!
Thanks brother it was a big help
Nice Cleeter hat!!!
Damn, thanks I’m going to share your video 🙏🏼
happy it helped out. share as much as you want...
Thanks, I ran across this accidentally, my dash lights go out sometimes and I play with the dimmer and they come back on. Maybe someday I will check this out ‘04 Z71.
Thank you sir. Good stuff
Very Helpful Video
thank you. Im happy it helped. sorry for the poor quality of the camera.
This is very helpful, but I got a brand new dimmer switch and I still have a problem. The grey wires(stripe and solid) are not connected. I installed a new head unit which has no dimmer switch option. It goes by time of day. So I am trying to figure out a solution. I tried looping them, connecting the two grey wires, but it did not bring life to the switch.
Awesome teacher
96 caddy brougham, digital dash lights out, fuses good. This happened on a Lincoln I had, & had to replace the whole dash. Is there an easier, cheaper way, such as u showed?
On my 2005 250HD it was just the instrument cluster lights check fuse TRC 2A in the fuse box in left side of dash.
It was the turn signal/ headlight switch on my 95 nissan truck. Sometimes they would work and sometimes not, it also affected my rear brake marker lights when the dash lights weren't working.
I have a 2004 Chevy Express Dome light issue, Any idea on the pin out on my year?
will a2006 headlight switch work on a1996 chevy 3500
Will it help to buy new switch even though you keep after market stereo
worked on my 95 easy fix !
awesome, Im happy this vid helped you out. have a great night.
i have this same issue in my 2000 chevy prizm. no dash lifts or back lights but all other lights work...
grey is a speaker wire they both are. its positive and negative front passenger brophessor
I just bought a 2001 S-10 and the instrument lights do not work. It also has an aftermarket radio. I wonder if when I remove the radio am I going to find the same wire had been grounded ruining the dimmer switch. I'll find out this weekend.
Is the orange and green wire gonna be the same for all vehicles, or does the colors change in every vehicle
this is on a 2002 chev 2500 and all the chev trucks with that same head light switch. I do think they changed the wiring in the newer trucks. I cant completely answer your question because I have not looked into different year vehicles for this problem. I know this is not much help, but I dont want to guess they are the same and give you the wrong information. what make, model and year of vehicle are you asking about.
Do you know what wires I should use on a 2005 malibu?
I got a weird scenario on my 2002 chevy avalanche 4wd Z71 1500. My left blinker works fine and blinks at the correct speed, but the light in the dash does not come on. Right side works 100%. Could this just be an individual bulb, or?
Any suggestions to bypass so I can get my interior lights to turn on when I open the door they brand new leds but still no luck
I have a question for you. My gauge lights work, no function issues at all,but the BUTTON lights on the dimmer, 4wd, and cargo switch are never on when I get in. I have to smack my dash in multiple spots to get each of them on, one at a time. Any idea?
I have to smack my dash the light that lights up speed omitted and all.
is this work on blazer 2000 ?? i have the same problem just intall radio ando the problem came on😥😥
2006 Chevy Silverado Z71, Dash lights work for the gauges, but left half of ac and radio lights are not on. I was trying to eject a CD and notices the left side only of those didn't light up. What is going on? I could use some advice
01 Silverado 4.8 we’re u connected that orange wire to ?
leave the orange wire alone. its the main power going into the switch . i was using it as a source of power to test the circuits. connect the blue wire to the green wire with a jumper. leave the wires connected to the switch. what you are doing is stealing dash light power from the head light circuit. watch from 7:04
I know you made this a year ago but if you jump the switch and your radio turns on, HVAC turns on, fuse doesn't blow, door buzzer starts working but the main cluster lights never turn on does that mean all of your main cluster bulbs are blown?
Did you ever find out?
@@icurnvs7825 bad switch
Very funny. In the final minutes of this video we find that the installer of the stereo caused the problem! lol
My issue is with my dome, map lights! They turn on when i open the door but when im inside and need to use them the front lights are dim and rear dont turn on at all but opening the door it works fine help?
Which fuse are u pointing at the 10 red fuse or the 20 yellow
the yellow 20 amp
Would it cause an short in the future jusy wondering before I do it 2:05
wth! lord, I have a 2008 ford f 150 and the dash lights are off, I can't see the P R D N stuff is when switching its all off .. I have to go through wires just to turn them on ?
My 1999 Tahoe after sitting a few day cranks but no start. I have no dash lights and car will start when they come back on. I need to leave the key in the on position for a while and just wait. Eventually the dash , and ignition system then springs alive and the car starts. I can disconnect the battery and reconnect, the surge usually works as well. Any ideas or links to my issue? Cycling the key on and off generally doesn’t help.
Did you install an aftermarket radio cause my suburban has been having that issue it’s more then likely a weak alt or battery my dash lights went out and I still can’t figure that one out
Hello, my dash lights work when the lights are on. When I turn off the lights, the backlight goes out. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. oh yea, I replaced the switch and the problem remained.
My problem is the same but my headlights don’t come on when you flip the switch is it the same problem?
Does this happen with all the lights because mine keep flashing like 4 ways sitting and on even when it’s off and key is out
I have the reverse.....no headlights, but i have dash and blinkers....i replaced the fuses but still not working....any help is much appreciated!!!!
Same issue with me when I hook my light switch up my headlight connector has power on both sides..
Dash lights work but headlights don't
What if it only lights up half the display and not the hvac controls
I have no dash lights or tail lights? I have brake lights and turn signals
Then you Good bless you
My headlights are working but not my fog lights. What can be wrong or what can I do to find out the problem?
My tail lights and dash light went out! So my main power goes to my light switch then to my fuse panel?
Hey having a similar issue! Did you ever figure it out?
Ok just keeps blowing fuses the cluster, radio , heater, and switch are all unpluged I have park lights but bare dash ,
What song is this?
I have same problem, same after market head unit, No dash guage lights or climate control lights, or headlight switch lights. I ran a jumper wire from the orange to the green wire and now I got all my lights back on. But where is my actual problem more than likely? The headlight switch itself? I pulled it and cleaned up contacts but mines looked way worse than yours does on the video and that didn't help at all.
Or to get more specific and exact with my issue will I have to get out the test light or multimeter and investigate further? I'm afraid I know the answer already. Lol. This video was the only one that helped me. I thank you for this video bro!
@@drewskidrankthebrewski4657 I would look at the wiring for a short or rubbed wire. and thank you for watching. I also search stuff on the tube and it always drives me nuts when no one shows in detail what they are doing or even if they know what they are doing. Im actully kinda stoked that this vid is helping out..
@@rnmgarage9655 lol
What is when you jump the wires it blows that fuse it goes too
then you probably have a dead short in that dash light wire circuit. the power is going straight to ground
I have that problem but with no headlights either on a 2000 2500
Thank you.
You didn’t mention what year truck it is
2002 chevy silverado 2500
I have similar problem no dash light no speedometer no whipers n now my radio is not working I took everything apart but can’t find the problem my lights and everything els works but not my dash lights speedometer wipers n now the radio
Is a 1989 gmc s15 Sierra just like the s10 what can be the problem budd ?
Did you find the solution???
How did you turn off the security light?
it turned itself off when the engine is running.
I had the same exact issue same wire loose and everything 😭
Is it safe to bypass the wires 👀
You're not bypassing the wires, you're jumping wires and bypassing the switch dimming control. Given proper insulation, it's fine.
Now all of my lights just stay on even if I turn my truck off
watch the whole vid. you connected the main power to the light circuit
I’m not getting any power to that orange wire
Will it work for a 03 Tahoe my truck has lots of wires
the truck in the video is a 02 Silverado 2500. if your Tahoe has the same switch and the same connector going to the switch it should work. I hope you get your truck fixed up and you have a great night
@@rnmgarage9655 mine has more wire's then that truck but I got it fix thanks 👍
Tried it didn’t work on mine 😞
Adding the channels to repair
I have the SAME issue same stereo
That's crazy cool, in a weird way.. I hope this vid helped you figure things out. I'm stoked that I could help out, and that this vid is doing some good.
What if it's stock radio
with this truck the problem was with the dash light wire going to the stereo and not the stereo itself. that was the problem with this particularm truck.
I connected the wire to the orange and green but the cluster lights dont turn off when i take the key out
Pls help
blue wire to the green wire.. jump ahead to 7:34 in this vid. . the orange is main power, anything connected to that wire will be powered up all the time. . the green wire is the dash light wire. the light switch sends power to the dash lights on this wire. the blue wire is the clearance/marker light wire, the light switch sends power to the exterior lights on this wire. the dash lights go through a dimmer switch on the main light switch assembly, this is done so the driver can adjust his/her comfort level for driving. the dimmer burns out and takes out the dash lights.. installing a jumper wire to connect the two end wires (green and blue) will bypass the dimmer (you will no longer be able to dim the dash lights). . doing this will connect your dash lights to the exterior lights. . there is no problem doing this. the only reason the dimmer is a seaporate circuit is to allow the driver to adjust the dash lights. this can be a temporary patch to get you buy until you buy a new replacement head light switch assembly.... or this can be a permanent repair if you don't mind not being able to dim the dash lights. this will cause no harm to any of the lighting circuits, the contacts and wire gage are able to handle continued use with the extra load the dash lights will place on the exterior lighting circuit.
@@rnmgarage9655 ohh okay thank you I appreciate it
@@rnmgarage9655
Thank you
@@geronimocruz9123 you are welcome.
In 1994 Lincoln town car
The stereo caused the problem
not the stereo itself but the dash light wiring going to it was shorted out on the inner dash structure.
I got no dash no headlights
Dash board fuse's
Found it
Man i have a problem also my only issue is that half of my cluster works only the rest is dark
Same here.. I took mine a part and the bulbs on right side were burnt out
Keep talking