I have fixed all the other PO's created electrical problems, but I can't get the dashboard lights in the cluster to work. All of the Warning lights in the cluster stay on, interior lights work with the doors, and the running/headlights work normally, but nothing as far as the backlighting. Any ideas... I am stumped at this one.




Later Daze,
Shorty

 

the first time that happened to me it was the fuse and i also lost tailights when the dash was out. the second time it happened it was the rheostat switch on the head light switch, replaced the whole switch and it now works fine. if you do replace the switch get the new one first so you can see how to take the **** off by pushing a button on back of the switch, otherwise you will break the ****. this was on my 89

 

With all the wiring issues this truck had to begin with... I have already had the switch out (couple of times) but I don't have a manual to tell me which wire leaving the switch controls the dash lights. I had a real issue trying to figure out the switch itself had to be grounded... the PO had removed it and it took about 9 fuses and trying all sorts of things before finding the grounding issue. Could this have caused the rheostat switch to go out? Could this be the reason all the warning lights are on?




Later Daze,
Shorty


Edit: I almost forgot... I have been watching Ebay for a Service manual to go for less than $50, but that hasn't happened yet. The parts stores around here don't carry them anymore. If anyone has an extra or knows where I can get a decent one for cheap it would be great... preferably the Factory service manual, not Chiltons or Haynes.

 

The question I have for you: do the backlights for the radio, heater/ac unit, and overdrive switch (if equipped) light up?
If thats the case, I would just suspect a bad connection on the back of the cluster (common problem). See my post here for more information.

If none of the backlights work, fuse #16 (4AMP) is the fuse the power flows thru on the 1990 models for these lights. If no voltage is available at the fuse, ensure voltage is leaving the headlamp switch. Cavity 1 (tan wire) sends voltage from the headlight switch to fuse #16.
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Let us know what ya find out.

 

2 computers on the kick panels by the doors I unplug them sprayed with battery cleaner and electric grease and plugged back in dash working fine now

 

Do you have an objection to $40 for an electronic copy from Bishko Books?

Or under $50 for the same disc at Summit Racing?

Hit up Bishko Books ( Bishko Books, Repair Manuals, Owners Manuals, Parts Books & Sales Brochures (autobooksbishko.com) ) for your year.

Also - if yours is a 1995 or 1996 (helps to know what year a truck is; shocking, I know, but there's a LOT of differences from a 1987 2.2 5 speed stripper and a 1996 5.2 automatic with tow package and full options ... ) the manuals can be downloaded from the links in the FAQ message in this forum.

RwP

 

Aren't any computers like that in the 1st Gen Dakotas.

Glad to hear your later Dakota, or your RAM pickup, was fixed by working with the BCM and the CTM that way.

RwP