Combination Meter (Cluster) Illumination backlights issue!

[yadpwns]

Good evening guys as a new owner of a wonderful 240sx I have come across this problem.

I was driving down the road at night and my cluster lighting was fine then all of a sudden it flickered turned off came back on a second later and then stayed off. I started messing with the light switch that has the 0-1-2 positions 2 being night lights on. When I would switch it to position 1 the cluster light would work but obviously my headlights are off in that position. After a minute they just stopped working overall.

I have attempted to repair the problem by taking the cluster out unplugging everything and checking the 3 bulbs. All bulbs are fine apparently I am not getting any power to just the 3 illumination lights. The Cluster works fine. Even the small warning lights work like check engine,brake,turn signal etc . I unplugged and replugged the dimmer switch. Unplugged and replugged the combination light switch as well. I also checking all the fuses on the driver side kick panel. Everything is fine and I am left puzzled. I found a weird box which I think is a relay wired from the Dimmer switch I am not sure if that is original. Below are some pics. Anyone with any advice would be greatly appreciated. This is really getting to me. I love my 240sx and like to keep it babied and in perfect working order. Thanks in advance!






Lights off


Lights on





http://youtu.be/1XuYZMOz-Ao

[yadpwns]

I picked up my handy voltmeter and ran some tests. With the light switch on its last position (lights on) I was getting 13v at each of the clusters illumination bulbs (The ones that are not lighting up my cluster) I find that really puzzling because the bulbs are not blown and their bases are good and this was all with the dimmer switch unplugged. So I plug the dimmer switch in and test again. Same results. I am getting a 13v current to the 3 sockets that are supposed to light up my cluster. On an important note my dimmer switch has no continuity so I know for sure it is bad. What I find completely bizarre is that even with the dimmer switch unplugged I get a 13v current to all 3 bases still the freaking bulbs wont light up ??????

[yadpwns]

For anyone who has had this problem. It is a simple fix. I bypassed the dimmer switch by looping the red/yellow wire with the black wire. Of course your dimmer switch wont work but your cluster back lights will work full brightness!