1990 dash and gauge lights out.

[rishar1]

A while back the lights that illuminate the gauges and buttons at night started to dim intermittently and would then occasionally come back on. Now they are out so driving at night has become a huge pita because I can't read any of the gauges. Every once in a while when I first start up at night the lights will be on very dim but then proceed to dim even more until they are all the way out. Thought it was my alternator but its putting out a little over 14v also just replaced the battery still no progress. Pulled the cluster checked the circuit board and the harness with no visible problems. I'm all out of ideas any help is appreciated.

[Ace2cool]

Check the fuse "Theft Room L" and check current draw on the fuse if you have a meter.

[rishar1]

Tested it and it checks out fine. My interior lights work just not the button and gauge illumination. Also try'd replacing the dimmer switch for the illumination and still no progress.

[Ace2cool]

Is it a gradual dimming, or is it kinda like a loose connection? If it's a gradual dimming, then you probably have a blown resistor somewhere in the gauge cluster that increases resistance when heat is applied, effectively opening the circuit.

[rishar1]

Gradual dimming. The resistor makes sense I had checked the board a week or two ago and nothing looked out of place. I'll try swapping the cluster out of my parts car. Also would the blown resistor effect the illumination of my a/c and wiper switchs?

[Ace2cool]

I believe those do draw power from the cluster, but I'd have to dig through the schematics to verify.