Instrument cluster not illuminating?

I just picked up a 05 and the instrument cluster is not illuminating at night. I checked all fuses and they were fine. The lights around the shifter and climate control work fine. The dimmer switch will control those lights so I assume that's not the problem. I pulled the cluster out and looked for bulbs but it appears they are all leds. Is there anything else I can check for or should I just replace the cluster? Any help or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Brandon

 

Also the radio doesn't illuminate at night either. I also pulled the radio and there were no wires cut and it is the stock radio.

 

Check fuse. First thought.

 

Previous owner did some mods and fuc#ed up.
Did you check all of the wiring connections to the cluster?

 

All the fuses were fine and I did also look at the connections to the cluster they were no cut wires that I could see. Didn't look as though it had been tampered with but I'm sure something was hacked to cause this.

 

Did you check the little wheel on the dash that dims the lights? I thought my lights were on the blink until I discovered that I had accidently rolled the wheel into the off position.


Greg

 

Yes my dimmer switch does work it will dim and brighten the lights around the shifter and the a/c but does nothing for the radio and instrument cluster.

 

Did the previous owner tell you the dash lights were dead before you bought?

 

Yeah he was honest about it but he gave me a great deal and was upfront about the problems. At the time I figured it was a blown fuse or a wire grounding out but I can't seem to find any wires that have even been spliced.

 

The power for the cluster illumination comes from ign. power, while the other backlighting is powered off the park light circuit. Both pass through the dimmer rheostat. Track down a wiring diagram and start testing with a digital voltmeter before jumping to the conclusion that it needs a new cluster. I'd me most suspicious of the dimmer rheostat as a starting point.

 

Even with the dimmer working fine with the other lights could it still be a possibility?

 

Yes, its a "dual pole" dimmer - two circuits in parallel. Not sure if you're aware, but normally, the cluster is illuminated whenever the ignition is on, regardless of whether the park lights are on or not, all the other illumination comes on with the park lights. So the dimmer has two parallel circuits to accommodate this.

 

Maybe I could try bypassing it and see if that works but I can't seem to find any info on how to bypass the dimmer switch

 

^^ You'd really have to read the wiring diagram.

 

Well I unhooked the dimmer switch and now the cluster/radio illuminates and the a/c lights and shifter lights do not. Guess its time for a new dimmer switch. Thank you guys for the help.

 

damn sorry i read this late...
yea the dimmer will cause to do that and not illuminate half of the interior if not working correctly

 

I hate the stupid dimmer switch. It's dumb that the gauge lights don't go on and off with the headlights like every other car I've ever been in. Wish someone here would find a work around.

 

How is that dumb?
They're LEDs they don't cause any harm to anyone lol
Especially if you go I to a tunnel you can still see the dash on

They're on because of the way the surround was made.

 

I dislike driving with the dash lights on during the day. Tried to get used to it and found myself driving away from places thinking my headlights were on because the dash was on. So back to off during the day and now I had to turn on the headlights then scroll the dash on separately after having to feel around for the dimer because it's not backlit. I got used to it but leant the wife the truck one time and she calls me saying she does not feel safe driving home with the dash out. Talked her through it. Happened when lending to a friend also. Never been in another car like this.

 

Seriously??


There is an indicator light on the dash to alert you that the headlights are on.

There is little to no need to have yourself go through all that shit about being worried about headlights being on or off.... then confusing other drivers that my drive your truck.