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insane guage lights

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Bartaco, May 2, 2011.

  1. May 2, 2011 at 8:56 PM
    #1
    Bartaco

    Bartaco [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Has anyone heard of a head unit install going wrong and effecting dash lighting? like strange stuff? My guage lights don't come on with the headlights
    they seem to be controlled by the interior climate panel.if I hit the a/c button somtimes they come on somtimes not.I bought this truck like this so....any I deas how to trouble shoot this?:confused::confused::confused:
     
  2. May 2, 2011 at 9:07 PM
    #2
    rcbs204

    rcbs204 Well-Known Member Vendor

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    Sounds like a pinched ground somewhere. I would uninstall any aftermarket electronics and inspect the wiring harness's.

    Edit: Pinched power wire i ment to say. Look for the green wires, they are the dash lights.
     
  3. May 2, 2011 at 9:22 PM
    #3
    lonzorizo

    lonzorizo Well-Known Member

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    My fan speed knob does the same thing...it randomly lights up then goes black again. It did it before I put my head unit in so idk whatsup.
     
  4. May 2, 2011 at 11:03 PM
    #4
    Bartaco

    Bartaco [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I uninstalled the fan justcuz it wasn't working and it looked like a blind man did the install.heyat the risk of sounding dumb:p whats the head unit? Is that the stereo/cd.
     
  5. May 2, 2011 at 11:15 PM
    #5
    Bartaco

    Bartaco [OP] Well-Known Member

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    hey your Bday is the same as My daughter!! what year? shes a youngster 12/22/92.Anyway thanks I will follow the greens :D
     
  6. May 2, 2011 at 11:50 PM
    #6
    lonzorizo

    lonzorizo Well-Known Member

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    yeah head unit is the stereo/cd...or in dash dvd head unit for me :D
     
  7. May 3, 2011 at 12:11 AM
    #7
    soljah111

    soljah111 Well-Known Member

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    I had the same thing happen to my 07 after I installed my radio/headunit. It was the rheostat/dimmer switch. It must've shorted out. I picked one up at the dealer, replaced it and it worked. Oh yeah I pulled the radio out and disconnected the orange illumination wire first.
     
  8. May 3, 2011 at 12:28 AM
    #8
    lonzorizo

    lonzorizo Well-Known Member

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    Hmm maybe i'll swap dimmer knob's and see if that does anything...depending on the cost of one. I can live with one "insane guage light" lol.
     
  9. May 3, 2011 at 4:33 AM
    #9
    EnolaGaia

    EnolaGaia Well-Known Member

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    It's very common for stereo installers to screw up the dash illumination by connecting the head unit illumination / dimmer lines without understanding how Toyota has the rheostat wired up.
     
  10. May 3, 2011 at 7:25 PM
    #10
    Bartaco

    Bartaco [OP] Well-Known Member

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    so my dimmer doesn't work at al I bet the rheostat is shot that could be my issue! Getting close<this has been driving me nuts:eek:
     
  11. May 4, 2011 at 12:22 AM
    #11
    lonzorizo

    lonzorizo Well-Known Member

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    I did the install myself and used factory harnesses so don't think that's the case, for my situation anyways.
     
  12. May 4, 2011 at 9:44 AM
    #12
    soljah111

    soljah111 Well-Known Member

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    Don't forget to disconnect the illumination wire fire or else a new rheostat will do nothin...
     
  13. May 4, 2011 at 2:41 PM
    #13
    Bartaco

    Bartaco [OP] Well-Known Member

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    sounds like your speeking from experience I have the wiring diagrams but I'm not proficiant at reading them.right now there is an orange wire ( hot when the ignition is on) hanging out just below the guage dimmer.it has a pin on it like it came out of a connector.I know its seems like a no brainer but if I just stick it in that connector I could do damage (I think, prob just blow a fuse but...) what woukd you do?:confused::confused::confused::confused:
     

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