No dash lights!

[KCz Eclipse]

Alright, I have a 1991 eclipse gsx. When I bought the car it came with no dash lights. No cluster lights and non of the dash lights like the air controls and other dash buttons. But I'm not sure if the air controls light up? Do they? I was told by the mitsubishi dealer that it was the printed circuit board I needed to replace. Does that sound right? Ive checked the fuses and they looked fine. So what do you guys think?

Thanks

 

[Devilsfutbol17]

Try to bypass your rheostat. It's the dimmer adjuster on the left side of your steering wheel. You can pull it out then jump the wires that are suppose to go through it. I don't remember which two wires to jump though, it was many years ago when I did it. But I do think I found the info on how to on this site. Just search for "rheostat."

 

[KCz Eclipse]

Alright. I might give that a shot if I must. I'd rather keep everything I can functional. But would anybody agree that it might be the printed circuit board? It's only a $30 part so would it make sense to try it?

 

[Devilsfutbol17]

I don't know what circuit board your talking about, but what I suggested is easy to check. I had your exact same problem in my old 90 tsi. I tried everything and finally found that I should check the rheostat. I jumped the wires and it was like plugging in the Christmas tree for the first time. So I went to the junkyard and bought one for a couple bucks and problem solved.

I don't know what you mean by keeping it stock, checking the function of the rheostat doesn't modify your car. A couple dollar rheostat is cheaper and easier than whatever circuit board that you are looking into.

 

[KCz Eclipse]

Oh okay. Your saying to just bypass the rheostat to see if that is the problem. If the lights work with the rheostat bypassed I would just needed to go find another rheostat. That sounds easy, but how do I do it. Which wires go where.

 

[shibby1036]

Hes talk about the circuit board thats mounted on the back side of the gauge bezel. you'll see it if you ever have to change a light in it or replace the bezel. but yes i agree with you if its only 30 bucks why not. if you yank one from a salvage yard whos to say it'll work either. I'd recommend starting with the circuit board as well.
However if none of the other lights come on I'd say to bypass the dimmer switch. If that doesn't work, break out the multimeter and start checkin for a broke wire or blown fuse.

BTW thats a sick lookin gallant VR-4 you got there. dont see too many around anymore in that good of shape. props bro

 

[luv2rallye]

Oh okay. Your saying to just bypass the rheostat to see if that is the problem. If the lights work with the rheostat bypassed I would just needed to go find another rheostat. That sounds easy, but how do I do it. Which wires go where.

Unplug the rheostat (dimmer) and jumper the black to the black-yellow in the harness connector. The dash lights should go on full when you have your taillights on.

 

[KCz Eclipse]

How do I pull the wires from the plug. I don't want to break anything.

Anybody?

Okay. So once I get the two wires out, if anybody would help on that, I would put the two ends together and tape them with electrical tape or something?

 

[shibby1036]

I would personally solder the wires together then use some shrink tubing over the soldered wires.

 

[MrCii]

Id check fuses, i know when my dash lights went out it was because of the radio illumination wire grounding out, none of the running lights or dash lights worked because of it...

 

[KCz Eclipse]

Okay, so i finally got the the wires out and taped them with electrical tape for now. It worked, and my dash lights now light up. My gauges light up pretty nice, but not much lights up to the right of the gauges like where the radio would be. All that lights up is the rear windshield wiper switch and the ac button. Those cant possibly be the only two that light up, so does anybody know what else is supposed to light up in the dash? Anything in the doors? Any info you guys have will be helpful.

Thanks