instrument lights went out

Just figuring this truck out only had it for a week. 95 tacoma 4x4 v6 auto. Cluster lights worked but not the heater controls lights or the gear selector light. I opened up the shifter console and twisted the connector out and the bulb lit up a few times and then went out. It was after that I noticed the cluster lights were out now. gauge fuse is good. Ill check for power when I have more time, and the rheostat is not dimmed.

 

tail lights, license plate lights, horn and hazards all work

 

I would try bypassing the rheostat or testing it.

 

X2 on check the rheostat

Also check for a poor ground and loose connections.

 

Reached up in there and unplugged the rheostat, plugged it back in and nothing.
The gauge fuse was good, but that’s not the fuse for the “panel” lights, that’s under the hood. Doh
All fixed now and have heater and gear lights.

 

Is it possible that you had only one working dash bulb and it just went out like the rest already did? There are four type 194 bulbs that illuminate the instrument panel. They are most likely burnt out after 28 years. The same goes for the bulbs behind the climate control, gear shift indicator, ashtray and glove box. They are probably all bad by now.

I needed to replace every bulb on my dashboard when I bought my truck because only 3 bulbs total still worked.