Instrument cluster dash lights not working

Need help....Just picked up my 02 Tacoma last week, dash lights do not come on. I've checked both fuses and they're both good, pulled the cluster out and put in new 194 bulbs in place of the stock ones with the orange covers and still no luck. My hvac and radio lights come on and dim with the switch and every other light works except the dash lights at night. Any ideas?

 

after market radio?

 

Try another Headlight switch.

 

stock radio and everything else works, every single light except 4 dash illumination bulbs so the switch seems to be working..?

 

Sounds right to me.

You need to make sure you have power at the connector to the instrument cluster. Sounds like a possible open wire.

 

I just printed the service manual wiring diagram for the cluster, I'm going to pull it out again tomorrow. Anyone know what the "bulb check relay" shown on the cluster is/does or how to test it?

 

i know this may sound crazy... but being careful not to break anything... give the face of the gauges a couple solid tap with your fingers (light but firm)... see if any lights flicker or change.

 

haha ... will do tomorrow

 

That is actually good advice. I test a lot of electrical parts on cars that way. It's what we call "the good ol tap test" at the shop I work in.

 

thanks guys, I appreciate the help. I plan on digging into it tomorrow.

 

I'm having the exact same problem with my 'new' '02 Tacoma. Did you ever find a solution?

 

Me too! In my 07, there is an aftermarket stereo.... Fuses are all good, I've been too chicken to take the dash apart LOL
Linda

 

Well, my solution turned out to be pretty simple; the bulbs were bad. All of them. I figured the chances of them all going bad simultaneously was pretty slim, so I thought there must be a bad ground or something. Maybe the previous owner drove around watching them go out one by one, then traded it in for something else

 

Humm I'll have to check that out. I figured like you, chances were slim that all the lights would be bad. Maybe it would be a good time to do one of those awesome dash light mods!! I'll report back when I figure mine out. Thanks!
Linda

 

I just got another 03 tacoma and the dash Gage lights didn't work but everything else did.. Checked all the fuses and the dimmer first as all of us do. You wouldn't think that all the dack lighting could be blown at the same time but if it's a used truck and you dont know the history of it than it is possible.. I looked and checked everything but as it turns out I pulled the dash and all four bulbs wer out ..get four 194 white bulbs at the auto parts store , take it apart.. ( it's not that hard ) the bulbs are in a quarter turn green plug on the back of the gage cluster and they have a orange little rubber over the bulb that you reuse . Sometimes it is that simple..cost $8 .. After all a toyota is the best thing on the road...

 

I have a 2002 Tacoma extra cab four-wheel-drive four-cylinder, and after towing a trailer, where all of the lights worked just fine, all the sudden my dash lights quit, turns out it’s the number 10 tail light fuse under your hood in that fuse box.

 

Just replaced all my dash cluster lights now none work. I have no park lights or anything. All fuses are good. What the heck?