1989 Camry No Dash Lights

[thehittmann]

The warning lights work fine (Park Brake, Door, etc) but the dash lights do not work at all making night driving impossible to tell what speed I'm doing. What would be causing this problem? I know little about Toyota Camry's as I only bought this car yesterday. Any help is greatly appreciated.

[gator2764]

You try the dimmer switch for the dash lights yet. I know it sounds stupid but sometimes these little things slip your mind.

[thehittmann]

yes, it makes no difference whatever position it is in. I found a blown fuse in the fuses under the dash which i replaced which fixed something I guess but I hadnt noticed anything else not working. All my lights and everything else was working fine.

I do not have a cover for the fuse box so I have no idea which fuse is for the dash lights.

[navin]

pull each one out and see which ones need to be replaced.

[jannison]

If I recall correctly, on my 89LE the dimmer also controls the radio and floor shift indicator lighting. If those work then you are getting power to the dimmer circuit.

John

[thehittmann]

I disconnected the dim switch and used a jumper wire across the circut so lights would be on max brightnes and the dash lights worked. I just cut the plug off and soldered the connection and just left the dim switch in place for looks. I don't see a point having it anyway as everyone would have it on bright anyway wouldn't they???

I don't have a factory installed radio in my car so the dim switch doesnt control that. The bulb in my auto shift is blown and I haven't got around to replacing that just yet.

[gpwhite7]

My 1990 Camry had the same problem as yours, no dash lights but the warning lights did work, for about a year. Then recently they just started working again by theirselves. It makes night driving harder. I was going to try changing the bulbs but didn't know where they were or how hard they were to get to and never got motivated enough to do it. Then they started working again!

I don't know but maybe the bulb had a broken filimant wire inside and I must have hit the right bump and caused the wire to make continuity again. I better not hit that bump again or I will be in the dark again.

Greg