My instrument cluster lights do not come on (The warning lights work). I've been trying to trace down the problem. I did go through and check all the fuses.



I think the problem may be in the dimmer switch, but not sure how to check it.



Basically harness layout is like this



[:] black

red/blue(1) [:][:] red /blue (2)



From black to red/blue (1) I had 11 volts.

From black to Red/blue (2) 0 volts

From Red/blue (1) & (2) -11 volts

This is with dimmer through all range.



I bought a manual (Haynes) but evidently they don't belive in dimmer switches.

:tounge:

 

I don't remember the combo, but I had the exact problem on my 83. Make yourself a jumper wire and jumper the plug that goes to the dimmer switch. I think it's red blue to red blue, but I honestly don't remember they should light up if it's the dimmer switch that is bad. I just bypassed the dimmer switch in mine and don't even worry about it, but you can buy one for a few bucks if it bothers ya.

 

Thanks I tried that, the wire actually got really hot. I might not of used a thick enough gauge.



Will go out and buy some thicker wire and see if I have better luck.

 

Hot? What guage are you using? Shouldn't take much. Did the dash lights come on?

 

It was stupid on my part, I actually grabbed some speaker wire first time ..



I tried it again, with some heavier stuff.



The insturment lights never came on, but I did blow a 20A fuse that also controls my head lights retraction motors.



At this point I'm not sure whats going on.

 

Speaker wire LOL. Humm, that's strange sounds like you grounded it out rather than completed the circuit. Did you try all combos with the wire?

 

Not yet, Needed to go buy more fuses first.

 

Hi keo, wooffinn from downunder here. Hey phinsup sounds like he's in right area. I've got another quick check just incase all your checks show nothing. Is it just the dash lights or are all the parker lights out as well(outside lights(?? Some Mazdas in my part of the world suffer as well from this problem. All the dash lights run from the dimmer switch(Red with Green trace over here( , but the whole lot have one main power wire (Red with White trace about 6mm round( from the fuse box that governs the outside parkers as well. I've found with age, this can work itself a bit loose. Usually with a wire that heats up quite quick, it's some unit that shouldn't be earthed/powered up. Like phinsup said though, just as easy to bypass it if you can live without it!!!