do i have to pull my dash?

January 15, 2007, 01:50:24 PM

So I just got my new body kit and paint done on my 88 XR7(Pics comming soon It's Awesome).But that's not the point. Point is, Body shop tells me that they have to pull my dash to fix my electrical situation with the lights. I've got the all too common problem of the little to none dash lights even when the headlights are on. The fuses are fine but there is a nother problem. some of the other items on the same circuit don't work like the auto temp control lights and the electronic trunk lock. I figured at worse, the gauge had to be pulled and some new wires be ran. Am I wrong for not believing a word this guy says about pulling the dash? I don't have the funds for that. After all, I just shelled out a few grand for body work and paint.

do i have to pull my dash?

Reply #1 – January 15, 2007, 02:02:17 PM

stick around here and ask some more specific questions and some certain members will help you out.

do i have to pull my dash?

Reply #2 – January 15, 2007, 02:38:22 PM

K, there are several reasons why the lights won't work. Most common: pinched wire behind the radio. That's not unusual in these cars, especially when installing an aftermarket radio which tends to be slightly deeper than the stock radio. Also, it could be as simple as a blown fuse. Or it could be a bad headlight switch. In either case your dash should not need to be totally removed.

Check fuse #13 first. If it's good then try a different headlight switch next. Assuming that the fuse is okay and that the headlight switch checks out fine, there are a few wires that run between the instrument cluster and the radio stack area. One is light green/yellow (constant 12v+) and the other is light blue/red (lights 12v+). Check to make sure neither is pinched behind the radio. What can happen is that a pinched wire here can result in electrical feedback, essentially pushing too much power back through the system, and the first thing to blow is usually the headlight switch along with the fuse.

Now if your radio and HVAC controls do not light up, neither should your ashtray light (console or not), and I believe the clock shouldn't dim if electronic, or light up if buttstuffog. If all of this is true, try replacing the fuse anyway, good or not, and try the lights. If you keep popping fuses you have a pinched wire. If not, and you cannot rectify the situation, then this becomes your last resort:

At position #13 in the fuse panel, remove the fuse and disconnect the battery. Loosen the bolts holding the fuse panel in, and find the wire harness directly above position #13. There will be two light blue/red wires coming into the fuse panel. Cut them both a few inches above the fuse panel harness. Twist the 2 wires coming OUT of the top of the fuse panel together. Reattach them to one of the other cut wires using a splice connector, reinstall the fuse, reconnect the battery, and turn on the lights. If you have all the lights, groovy...problem solved. If not, connect that other wire instead. This *should* solve all lighting issues.

As for the power trunk release, check to see if fuse #6 is blown. If not, then it's possible the remote trunk release solenoid is just shot. That's in the trunk.

Let us know if this info helps.

do i have to pull my dash?

Reply #3 – January 16, 2007, 12:06:03 AM

Thanks for the info. I'll take a crack at it on Thursday after work.

I'll left you guys know how things turn out.

What the hell just happened?

Reply #4 – January 18, 2007, 03:32:18 PM

So I hop into my car to find out what's causing my dash light issues. I was ready to take things apart when I close the door to move the vehicle and out of nowhere the left part of my full electronic cluster comes on. I begin wondering what could be the problem now. I began tapping on the front of the cluster and what do you know... the right side lights up. I can see everything except the center part that has the speedo and the odometer. I replaced the fuse for the trunk and that works now too. I'm gonna pull the cluster and check the bulbs. I'll keeps you guys updated.