Pathfinder gauge lighting... Grrrr.

[AZhitman]

NICOmom's Pathfinder has been without gauge lighting for months now, and I need to figure out why.

Brights-on indicator works, as do all gauges, but the backlighting doesn't turn on when you turn on your lights.... Everything else works great.

Checked fuses under dash (none are marked 'gauges' or 'instrument panel'), checked all fuses under hood (both boxes (also none marked 'gauges' or 'instrument panel').

I hate the thought of pulling the gauge cluster, as I can't imagine it being burnt bulbs...

Help?

[navysnail]

the fuse that would do the guages would be the same one that does all the interior lights. i dont think its the bulbs, as it is unlikely that they would all go at the same time, it may be the light switch for the headlights

edit: if you need it, i can probobly get you a wiring diagram for you on monday
Modified by 240kid at 11:55 PM 9/25/2004

[s13sr20chris]

hmmm. do other interior lights work? stuff like shifter panel light, hazard switch light, hvac and audio lights? you may not have all that stuff. i only ask because the dimmer would be a possibility then. if all else fails, getting the gauge cluster out only takes like 15 min.

[AZhitman]

All other interior lights work. Dome, radio, etc.

But shifter panel light hazard switch, HVAC and gauge lights do not.

Possibly a bad dimmer switch?

[s13sr20chris]

yeah, very posible. radio and dome have their own circuits. if i had a diagram in front of me i would tell you what wires to jump. that way you would know for sure. i will get this info for you soon bro. think your up to jumping some wires?! its hardcore. right up there with oil changes.

[s13sr20chris]

ok jumper wire solution. i printed out all the diagrams and promptly forgot them at work. you got three wires right? one power, one ground, and one coming from all the interior bulbs(well just the ones that dim). you need to jump from the bulbs to the ground. DO NOT jump from power to ground. you will blow the fuse. thats actually not a really big deal. the ground wire is black. the wire coming from the bulbs has a black stripe but i cant remember what the base color is. try jumping and see if your lights work while jumped.