Interior light problem...weird

[gniknave]

Today I was driving home in traffic as always, and I looked down and all of a ALL of my dash lights were out. I mean ALL! Speedometer, radio (except display), window switch lights, analog clock light...you get it- all of them. So then while trying to figure out the problem by adjusting the dimmer switch- which didn't work, I had to step on the brake a few times. Weird. Every time I stepped on the brake, the lights came back on. I let my foot off the brake and they go off again. All my other lights work, it's just the dash ones that don't. I'm thinking that maybe something came loose or there's a bad switch or something that caused this...or a fuse? {puzzled}

[Q451990]

Check your rear light sockets and bulbs. Any corrosion or melting of the lead tips will indicate overheating. You'll probably want to replace them all with Sylvania LL or OEM bulbs to make sure. Lots of weird problems crop up with those rear socket issues.

Heath

[gniknave]

Hmmm. Could that also have something to do with the fact my brake lamp indicator (can't remember exactly what it says) has been on but all of the brake lamps are working?

[maxnix]

Hmmm. Could that also have something to do with the fact my brake lamp indicator (can't remember exactly what it says) has been on but all of the brake lamps are working?

Exactly! Please read the exhaustive previous discussions about the brake lights and sockets.

[AlabamaDan]

We can't read do any searches until they fix the search feature right?

I had a problem with the dash lights going out on my old J. I could slap the dimmer switch and it fixed it every time. I think it was common for that switch to go out on Js. I don't know about the Qs.

[gniknave]

Problem fixed. Here's what I did.

1st Step: I replaced all of the tail light bulbs. Yes, the old bulbs did have melted tips. I used Sylvania LL's. Result- Didn't work.

After being a little pissed off and throwing a quick temper tantrum I started thinking really hard about what the problem could be. Remember, I'm not very mechanically inclined.

2nd Step: I wiggled the connector wires going into the tail lamp assemblies. Of course that didn't work.

After step 2 I remembered I emailed myself a copy of the fuse diagram in the dash area from ALLDATA at work a few months ago (I don't have a diagram on my fuse box door).

Step 3: After finding the email I sent myself and printing out the diagram, I noticed the 10A fuse that says "Side marker lamp, License lamp, Glove box lamp, Illumination lamp, Tail lamp". I then went into the car to verify whether or not the Glove box lamp was also out when the headlights are on. Yes, the glove box lamp was off along with all the others mentioned. Replaced the fuse and BAM! Problem solved.

I know it doesn't sound like much but I just got my car out of the shop last Friday after it had been there for a week. I wasn't ready for it to go back in again. I have to thank you guys because I wouldn't have checked the tail lamps at all if it wasn't for you. I even got an extra step out of this because now I have all new unmelted bulbs too! Problem is, my Stop Lamp Indicator is still on can't figure that one out.

Now I'm just wondering, could the overheating of the bulbs have caused the fuse to blow?

[Q45tech]

Check 3rd brake light bulbs. We see lots of melted sockets [and blown fuses] from using non oem spec bulbs............failure to fix results in a failed bulb current monitor module.

Another indication of the differences in quality of oem vs generic aftermarket anything........even Sylvania is just mass production made in 3rd world compared to Toshiba.

Change all bulbs every year or two and you will prolong socket life.