Can Someone Please Just Tell Me What Might Be Wrong??!!

I don't mean to sound desperate, but I really want to get this fixed. All of the lights around the speedometer, like the security light and stuff like that, light up, but when I am driving at night, None of the gauges are lighting up. I can't see what speed I am going, etc. If someone will please tell me what it might be, this will help alot!!

well the first thing i would try is the knob by the fog light button that adjusts the gauges brightness.

well the first thing i would try is the knob by the fog light button that adjusts the gauges brightness.

I have tried that already. They still don't light up. Could it be anything else?

Check the fuse block for a blown fuse, Are there any other things not working?

Check the fuse block for a blown fuse, I am not sure how it would be labled but you should be able to find a bad fuse by pulling it out and looking at the middle of it there should be something that looks like a little metal bridge, if that is broken then the fuse is bad, if you find one replace it with the same color fuse this will insure the proper amperage. If you have the owners manual there is a section that shows the fuse block in diagram with the lable and location and if I'm not mistaken there is also a list of the items controled by that fuse. Are there any other things not working?

imecalco2004 , are you getting the SES and SVS lights on also? If you are take it somewhere to get the code read, and that'll help, of coarse this is if the fuses and such are in order. hope this helps u out.

I would guess a fuse is blown. I hate to compare apples to oranges, but on my 96 I had troubles with panel lights and ended
up changing I believe the 'tail lps' fuse in the cabin fuse box. I think I had a short somewhere and ended up changing it a few times before it seemed to have resolved itself.

........ I think I had a short somewhere and ended up changing it a few times before it seemed to have resolved itself.


Lmao! I lik the way you put that,
"before it seemed to have resolved itself" :lol2:

I have checked the fuses that would have something to do with the instrument panel, and they are all fine. I don't know what it could be. Do you think that an other fuse could be controlling it, but its not labeled on the chart? I only checked the instrument panel fuses and anything related to them.

Lmao! I lik the way you put that,
"before it seemed to have resolved itself" :lol2:

LOL its true, I didn't 'fix' anything. I suspect there was a short having to do with marker lamps as they don't work but whatever it was its gone.

imecalco2004, the reason I mentioned that particular fuse was because there was a couple that involved panel lights and it wasn't the first one I checked. Are all the other lights working properly like tail lights?

The turn signal/multifunction switch (that contains the headlamp switch) is a known issue in these cars. When they go bad, they cause all sorts of lighting and instrument panel electrical anomalies.

Is it just the lights for the gauges? Are the lights for your HVAC, radio, transmission, etc. still working? If so, I would check connections to the instrument panel. Maybe something is loose or shorted out. If all lights are out, I think richtazz is headed in the right direction with your multifunction switch.

Try a little quick fix, just disconnect the battery positve and negative then hook it back up. its tendencies is to reset the system and hopefully it works, just a little something thats is free to do just need a tool probly 8 or 10 mm wrench

Yes. All of the other lights are working properly. There was a recall on the turn signal switch, and I got it fixed, but the gauge lights weren't working even before that happened. Yes, its just the lights for the gauges. All of the other lights around the gauges will light up, such as the Security light, ABS light, Low windshield fluid, etc. I just recently replaced the battery, and my grandpa had to disconnect the cables. everything did reset, but the lights still didn't work.I really don't know how to check the connections to the instrument panel and open up the car and stuff like that.

could it be anything else?

You may not want to get this involved, but I recommend you remove the instrument cluster and check it. I recently purchased an 01 GA that is a rebuilt wreck with numerous electrical problems. Removing the cluster is really not very hard. I found that there are several bulbs that light up the gauges that are easy to remove and replace. The bulbs for all the circular lights (SES, AIR BAG, etc) are soldered in. There may have been a surge that burned out the bulbs or burned a trace on the circuit board.
Mike

thank you!! how do u remove the instrument cluster? what do you have to do?

I think your 2000 is just like my 2001. First remove the top and bottom plastic covers just behind the steering wheel. 2 screws (I think) in bottom piece and then they snap apart. Remove the 2 screws in the top of the black plastic cowling in front of cluster. Then remove 2 more screws at the bottom of the cowling. Now the cowling can be removed and you will find 2 top and 2 bottom screws holding cluster in. After these are removed, the cluster will come out. It has a pretty long wiring harness, so you can unplug it after you get cluster out a ways. Hope this helps.
Mike

If you remove the cluster becareful, the clear face cover scratches very easy, if you do get some minoe scratches you can use a little bit of metal polish to rub them out, just do not push too hard on your applicator, buff off with a very soft cloth, do not use a towel it will just scratch the face all over again.

a quick tip when removing the cluster, put the steering wheel all the way down this will give you more room to work.

Alright. I removed everything, and I checked the lightbulbs in the cluster. They aren't burned out. I am wondering if its a short or something. Also, there was only two screws holding the cluster in. The bottom two were missing. Could it be that? Maybe those two screws would help put more pressure on the cluster and it would light up. Lol. I don't know. I am not a big mechanic.

Couldnt it be the instrument panel dimmer switch?
I doubt those two missing screws would make the lights not function,
If thats not it, I'd take it to the stealership.

yeah. I do need to take it to the dealership. I am afraid to though because I don't want them to charge me a lot of $$$ for this problem.

Well imecalco2004 , dont fear the Dealer!
Just take it in and hav them find out whats wrong. Tell them not to fix anything till you OK the work. And if its something you feel comfortable fixing you'll sav yourself some $$. Sometimes We gotta bite the bullit :)

lol. alright.