2G Dash Swap. Now No Dash Lights

[randman2011]

I finally picked up a black dash the other day (it's beat to shit and I'm kind of regretting paying for it) and it went into the car yesterday. There were no problems before, but now none of the dash lights come on. The gauge cluster still works, but the gauge backlights don't come on. Neither do the HVAC or cruise lights. Map lights, radio, and courtesy lights all still work. Does anyone know which connector handles all of the dash lights? I went through and checked all of the connectors for the dash, but apparently that didn't fix it because I'm still driving at night without being able to see my gauges. Does anyone have any suggestions?

On a semi-related note, does anyone know of a way to remove green and blue paint from plastic? The previous owner of this dash was apparently a two-year-old with an interest in finger painting.

 

[smills1840]

Do you brake/tail lights still work? I think they are on the same fuse.

 

[eclipsyco]

Did you make sure the dimmer switch is plugged in? When you put the new dash on?

 

[randman2011]

Do you brake/tail lights still work? I think they are on the same fuse.

Yes, everything works except for the dash lights.

Did you make sure the dimmer switch is plugged in? When you put the new dash on?

I didn't look over the dash itself. I just made sure to plug in all of the connectors that I unplugged when I took the old one out. Is it just a connector on the back of the switch? I assume I'd have to take off that lower plastic panel to get to it.

 

[eclipsyco]

Yes, everything works except for the dash lights.



I didn't look over the dash itself. I just made sure to plug in all of the connectors that I unplugged when I took the old one out. Is it just a connector on the back of the switch? I assume I'd have to take off that lower plastic panel to get to it.

Yeah is a 3 wire conector over the top of my head is a green/yellow, black/yellow and a black wire.
Just search for dimmer switch here you will get the info you need. Sorry I'm on my phone right now kinda hard to post picks

 

[randman2011]

You were right. It wasn't unplugged, but the old switch was broken. I swapped the internals of my old switch into the new black one and everything suddenly worked.

Two things to note:
1) Yes, it is a four pin connector with three wires going in. Black ground, green with stripe switched positive from light switch. Yellow output from dimmer switch. I have no idea why this could cause all of the dash lights to stay off.

2) My grey switch had a clear stalk so that you could put a light in the switch. It came without one. The black one has a spot for it but the stalk is black so the light inside is not visible. It also came without one. Odd...

 

[eclipsyco]

Glad you solve it bro!

 

[Pyramid]

Thanks for this information, I plan to do a swap soon.