Dash lights won't come on

[protecthishouse]

So I was cruising and all the sudden my dash lights went out, tail lights went out, and head lights, but the head lights came right back on. Pulled over and immediately checked the fuse (happened before). I switched it out and BAM, tail lights came on, but still no dash lights. I saw on the other threads it could be the dimmer switch so I got a used one and still nothing. Then I tried bypassing it like everyone else said & STILL no lights. I'm at a loss here and need some help.

 

[1davho]

Check the printed circuit board/bulbs on your instrument cluster, but it sounds like you have a short somewhere that needs addressed before it happens again and again.

 

[protecthishouse]

All of the CEL lights come on and work, but nothing else. Where would I even start to look for a short?

 

[pcarroll32]

This happend to me in my gsx. I had a loose/cut wire under my steering column. Take the platic trim off and check for any loose wires there and around the fuse box

 

[1davho]

The easiest way to find it would be to put an auto reset circuit breaker in and start wiggling all the wires that are associated with your lights. When the lights start shutting off, you have have found the short.

 

[FalleN4ng31]

All of the CEL lights come on and work, but nothing else. Where would I even start to look for a short?

Sounds like a short to me. I'd start by removing the panel under the steering wheel and looking for anything that may have been cut or spliced into by any previous owners, check around the fusebox and anything that comes close enough to the engine that wire jackets could be melted. Check your chassis grounds while you're at it, just for good measure. It can't hurt to examine the stereo setup if it's an aftermarket unit that you didn't install yourself. You can never know where people will splice into constant or switched power or grounds. (I've seen all sorts of crazy locations.) I can't remember the last time I picked up a used DSM that didn't have wiring issues to be sorted out.

 

[protecthishouse]

I've tried everything and still nothing. I can't find anything that would hint towards it.

 

[Archer Fabrications]

Check tail lights take them out and look at wiring, first unplug the white commectors put new fuse in an see what happens, i just went theough this, and found a crimped wire between a bolt. Taped it up and all
Good.

I spent hours under the dash and with the dimmer and it ended up being in the tails the whole time.

 

[dsmcurse]

Most likely cause is from a aftermarket stereo install. Theres wires down there that can accidently get pinched or shorted. Under the stereo is abunch of relays and wires. Id start looking there. I say this because ive had the exact same problem with 2 differant 2nd gen DSM's, both times the fix was under the aftermarket stereo head unit

 

[luv2rallye]

Did you bypass the dimmer like this? http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/mai...ts-interior-reverse-lights.html#post152769025

 

[protecthishouse]

Already tried bypassing it and didn't work. I'm gonna take a look at my tails and behind my radio, but kinda skeptical about the radio because I already checked that out.

 

[luv2rallye]

On the dimmer switch connector, on the harness side plug, try jumpering the black with yellow stripe wire directly to a metal ground. If that works, with headlight switch on, then your dimmer black ground wire isn't making connection.

 

[mikevar94]

Pretty much the same thing happened to be but the next night I drove they worked and it hasn't happened since...probably a loose connection

 

[JMAR]

You can try the battery terminal. Make sure you didnt pop it. Mine was hitting the top of the hood everytime i would bottom out. So i would suggest that.

 

[protecthishouse]

My battery is in my trunk so I don't think I have to worry about that, but thank you anyways

 

[protecthishouse]

I did what luv2rallye said and it just poped the fuse. Any ideas?