1996 Ranger cluster light problem when headlights turned on

[rockchalk]

So as of yesterday when I was driving my cluster went out when I was driving at night. The problem is that when I turn my lights on or knob on my heater control level the cluster goes out. A few things still light up like the right blinker indicator and the rpm gauge. But the gauge is out of wack. Also the left front headlight is dimmer then the other and the blinkers don't work. Everything works fine when I don't have the lights on or the heater blower knob on. Any ideas on what could have caused this? I took my radio out and couldn't see if any ground was loose. Even took the cluster out to see if there was a lose wire. Also I don't think its the headlight switch because it still does the same thing when it's unplugged. Also checked the fuses in the cab.

 

[Curious Hound]

Sorry you're not getting fast replies. Your problem(s) sounds a bit confusing and you may have more than one issue.

The dim left headlight could be a bad bulb or possibly a bad ground for that headlight, forcing it to find a ground through the other side. I think I would attack that first.

Then, maybe try a new turn signal flasher module to address the turn signal issue.

I don't see an easy way for the heater fan switch to be related to the lighting issues unless there is another loose ground connection somewhere.

I'm trying to think of what questions to ask you to narrow things down better.

What was the last thing you touched/operated right before the instrument lights went out? Just driving down the road? Or did it happen when you used the signals or something else?