Problem with instr. panel and stereo lights

[lougilman]

I have a 2003 Maxima GLE. I found that, after fixing the wiring harness behind my factory Bose stereo, NONE of the lights (instr. panel, stereo, A/C) lights worked. The problem was a burnt out fuse, so I replaced it and the stereo and A/C lights began working again, but only when the headlights are off. Now, whenever I turn the headlights on, the instrument panel lights don't come on, and the stereo and A/C lights go off. The only lights that still work on my instrument panel are the service engine, cruise control, gas tank, and any other indicator lights, as well as the clock above the dashboard. I followed the wiring diagram here http://www.moodym.com/maxima/a....html and everything is configured exactly as it should be, but I am still having this problem. I just went through the fuse panel next to the steering wheel, removing EVERY fuse, and they are all in working order. Does anyone have any idea what could have gone wrong??

[lougilman]

Ugghhh come on can't anybody take a shot at this for me??

[CPS]

I have not checked the page with the wiring diagram, but it sounds to me like the illumination wiring at the radio is wrong. Typically there are two wires, one is a switched illumination (comes on with the lights and is independent of the dimmer switch), and one is a variable illumination (comes on with the lights but changes voltage with dimmer switch movement). If these wires are reversed, or joined together, it will cause the problem you describe.

The way to check it is simple. Take a standard test light and probe the wires that are illumination. One should stay bright when you turn the headlights on and does not change when you roll the dimmer control back and forth. The other one will make the test light brighter and dimmer when using the control. Make sure those are in the right position, and if you have a question, just switch them up.

[the converted]

What exactly happened to the wiring harness that required fixing? Sounds like the dimmer burnt out in the fixing process.

[lougilman]

Ive had an issue with the audio for a while where the whole left side cuts out, until i knock the stereo around a little bit. When i took it out, I determined the problem was a bad ground, so I reinforced the ground wire, and now that problem's solved. But that is when the lights problem arose. I even tried switching the 2 illumination wires as suggested with no result