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03 ranger dash lights not working?


North Idaho 5.oh

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Went out and Started the ranger to start fixing on it and the dash lights aren’t working.... dimmer switch isn’t doing anything and the actual switch only turns the head lights on... not the markers ..
The truck is a 2003 ford ranger fx4 level 2
Truck runs and all gauges work.. just not illuminating ... any thoughts?
 


RonD

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Check fuse #33, 15amp in Engine Fuse box

It powers parking lights and dash lights via dimming module

And it could be the Main Light switch is the issue, not uncommon for them to wear out
It needs to be turned to Park or Headlight to send 12volts to the dimmer module

And just FYI, dome lights use a different fuse so dimmer wheel turned all the way up can still turn on the dome light, different circuit
 

North Idaho 5.oh

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Check fuse #33, 15amp in Engine Fuse box

It powers parking lights and dash lights via dimming module

And it could be the Main Light switch is the issue, not uncommon for them to wear out
It needs to be turned to Park or Headlight to send 12volts to the dimmer module

And just FYI, dome lights use a different fuse so dimmer wheel turned all the way up can still turn on the dome light, different circuit
I will definitely try that tomorrow... the dimmer wheel works on the HVAC lights... but still no dash lights
 

North Idaho 5.oh

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Checked the fuses and still don’t work.... sorry I have been tying up all the loose ends and working.
The head lights work, but the dome light doesn’t work neither does the gage lights... could it be possible that ALL the light bulbs just decided to “go bad”??? I doubt it but nothing is impossible.
ANY help is greatly appreciated!!
 

RonD

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Thats a tough one, assuming HVAC lights are working using the dimmer wheel

The Instrument lights use 6 bulbs, but in TWO 3 bulb circuits
Both circuits get 12v from the dimmer wheel but on 2 separate wires, and on 2 separate connectors on the back of the cluster
Also 2 separate grounds

The dome light uses fuse 26, 10amp, in cab fuse box
But this is the Battery Saver relay power, so could be an issue with that, but this is unconnected to Instrument light system
 

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North Idaho 5.oh

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I figured it out... up here in north Idaho the corrosion is real! I removed the gauge cluster and cleaned the contact points for the bulbs and low and behold a few of them work. The other have really bad corrosion and I couldn’t do much in the way of cleaning it. I have a lot more light than I did before! Thanks for your help :) much appreciated!
 

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