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dash lights don't work


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I just got another 88 mj last weekend and I've been trying to get the bugs worked out. When I turn on my headlights the dash doesn't light up. I've checked all the fuses and replaced the bad ones, my tail lights and brake lights and everything work. I've tried messing with the dimmer switch but that didn't work either? Anything else to check before I go to replace the dimmer switch?

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The printed circuit board on the back of the cluster could have a burnt copper trace or the plug on the back might not be making a good connection or the cluster might have a bad ground.

 

Just because a fuse looks good doesnt mean it actually is and even if you know for 100% fact the fuse is good, the little pincers that hold the fuse maybe broken or loose. I have had this exact thing happen to me on several occasions. Replaced fuse multiple times, checked over every inch of wire loom, only to discover the little fuse holders were loose. Tighten/replace them and everything worked perfect again.

 

It would be very very unlikely if not impossible for all the cluster lights to be burned out, i have never encountered even a single burnt bulb.

 

I would look closely at the fuse holders, check to see if you have 12v on one side of the fuse, and pull the cluster and check the PCB for any broken traces.

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Or, it could be the "dimmer"portion of the headlight switch is bad.

 

That's what I'd look at too.  I had the same problem on my XJ.  Checked the fuses, grounds etc. it was indeed the rheostat. The dimmer is just a long spring, it can twist and break on either end or even in the middle. 

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