I have a 2000 Neon which seems to have developed an electrical problem. The dashboard backlight no longer works. The dimmer switch still clicks to turn the interior dome light on and off, but doesn't dim the stereo clock. The back lighting on the heating/AC controls are also dark. Additionally, the "headlights on" chime has stopped working, but the "key in ignition" and seatbelt chimes both still work. All warning lights are still working.

I have checked all of the fuses in the interior fuse panel and everything checks out ok. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks,

Pete

 

did you check the fuses under the hood?

 

Hi, sorry to take so long to get back to this...

Yes, I checked the fuses under the hood too. Everything appears to be ok - unless the cheap fuse tester I bought is no good!

I also noticed that the tail lights are out. Brake and turn signals still light up but the tail lights don't. Hoping for a quick cheap fix, I replaced both bulbs, but this wasn't the problem.

Searching the web, I have found a couple of similar issues and suggestions point to a bad connection or short. Can anyone give me a little more to go on? Where should I start looking? How should I test?

Thanks,

Pete

 

Did anyone find out this problem, cuz i got the same problem as of 5 minutes ago!

 

Is it your taillights or your brake lights?

 

Brake lights and turn signals are fine, it is the tail lights that are dead.

 

In the end, my problem turned out to be the multi-function switch itself. I couldn't figure the problem out myself, so I took it to get it fixed. They had to replace the switch and the connector, which was partially melted.

 

Crap my control panel lights, tail lights (brakes lights work when I press them), and turn signal lights all stopped working. I replaced the fuse twice. First time I replaced it with a 15A, which blew as soon as I accelerated out of my parking space, then I replaced that with a 25A hoping it will get me by until the weekend to look into but that just blew as I was pulling into work.

I noticed that when I came to a complete stop, then put it into reverse, as soon as I accelerated to go into my parking space, it blew the fuse again.

So I guess it's the multi-function switch.. if the connector is melted.. what is the part number for the connector?

In RockAuto:

Dimmer Switch Connector - AIRTEX / WELLS Part # 1P1610
Turn Signal Switch Connector - AIRTEX / WELLS Part # 1P1610

^ I'm guessing it's that one since the one connector does both.