no tail and dash lights

[twoiron]

I have a 1998 Ranger that the tail lights and instrument lights have quit working. The problem started when the left turn indicator stayed on and when the brakes were applied all the dash lights dimmed.Then I lost the tail and instrument lights but the brake and turn signals work perfectly. I have checked all fuse and relays and the headlight switch and dash dimmer switch are new. There is supposed to be anther relay box BEHIND THE DASH containing relays for parking lights and dimmer switch between the radio and steering column,but I can'seem to find it. Can any one tell me how to access these relays?

 

[XLTsplash]

Pull the radio out then look to the lower left of the radio opening for the relay block.

 

[bmerr98]

No dash, tail or front markers. All other lights working

Saw this post while searching for an answer on my own 1998 that was suddenly without dash, tail, or front marker lights. Still had headlights, stop and turn signals. In cab fuse (#11 - 15 amp) was good.

Checked the switch against a new one and they were the same as far as continuity goes.

Read in another post about another 15 amp fuse under the hood. Checked with a test light, and voila! Found a bad 15 amp fuse. Replaced the fuse and all is well again.

Thought it was worth resurrecting this post in case someone else had this problem.

 

[edward2016]

Saw this post while searching for an answer on my own 1998 that was suddenly without dash, tail, or front marker lights. Still had headlights, stop and turn signals. In cab fuse (#11 - 15 amp) was good.

Checked the switch against a new one and they were the same as far as continuity goes.

Read in another post about another 15 amp fuse under the hood. Checked with a test light, and voila! Found a bad 15 amp fuse. Replaced the fuse and all is well again.

Thought it was worth resurrecting this post in case someone else had this problem.

I have the same issue but instead on that fuse 11 it blows everytime i turn my lights on. Any suggestion. My friend who was helping me put a 25 amp in #11 and started the truck and smoke came out of my dash. Do i need to go to that relay?

 

[brentmc]

I'm pretty sure smoke under the dash after putting in a larger fuse indicates I short. I think your best bet is to start tracing wires and find where is grounded out at.

 

[edward2016]

So do I begin taking my dash apart?

 

[edward2016]

UPDATE: remembered that my cig lighter doesn't work. Unplugged it replaced fuse 11 and magic! dash and tail lights work!

 

[brentmc]

So it appears that the lighter is shorted out.

 

[edman1000]

Today, coming into work, lost all dash lights. '96 ranger... well used ranger I might add... When I got out at the Post office, I noticed no taillights or running lights (parking lights). It was early enough that there wasn't many cars on the road, so I made the mad dash to work. Got into the parking lot at work, Pulled the #3 15amp fuse for the running lights/dash lights... blown. Didnt have a 15 so I popped in a 5amp to see what it'd do... Popped right away. Had a 30amp, put that in and turned them on, they came on but were dim. Only left them on for a few seconds, pulled the fuse back out... No trailer light pigtail hooked up... any Ideas were to start?