Dead Battery

[kok328]

Please excuse the misleading Subject Line, apparently this can not be edited but shows correctly in the edit post screen.

I have a 97 Plymouth Neon 2DR.
The only lights that come on the dash are for the instrument cluster (odometer, speedometer, temp, gas guage), the rear defrost switch light and the gear shift indicator light on the console. I'm new to this car but, would assume that there would be lighting for the headlight switch and the fan/temp controls.

I didn't even bother to look for a fuse due to the fact that I do have instrument cluster lighting.

Is this a burned out light bulb or bulb(s)?

How do I gain access to the bulbs behind the dash for the temp controls?

[palindromelol]

Access can be gained very easily. the dash cover lifts off with no screws. the bessel on the fan controls just prys off... no screws. the left and right dash covers require a few philips screws to remove.

I have all the electrical drawing for the dash lights etc.... let me consult the drawings.... (clock ticking)....Ok Fuse 13 in the power distribution center (plastic case behind the battery) powers the key in lamp and the map reading lghts.

Fuse 12 in the fuse block by the driver's door controls the defogger illumination. I guess that is ok. Fuse 12 feeds the PRND12 lamp on the shifter as well as the radio.

The glove box lamp fuse is in the PDC it is a 10 amp fuse 13.

I'd check fuse 13 in the PDC and the Time delay relay inside the driver's door. Then the bulbs.

[99 Neon R/T]

I didn't think there was a light for the headlight switch.Are you talking about the hi beam indicator in the instrument cluster?

[kok328]

I'm not sure if there is a light for the headlight switch or not, I just assumed that it would be lit for those not familiar with it's location.
I've got dome light above my head and on the rear view mirror.
I've got PRND21 lights on the console shifter.
I've got instrument panel lights.
I've got rear defrost lights.
I do not have fan/temp control lights.
I've got an aftermarket radio and it has lights.
I don't know about the glove box light.
I don't have power mirror button lights (if they are suppose to be lit).
I don't have lights to the key in lamp (if they are suppose to be lit).

Gonna be a couple a days before I can get my hands on the car to check it out more.

Thanks for the tips guys .....

[palindromelol]

fuse 13 is looking shakey

[yale329]

All the little lights are optional. Your heater controls, auto door locks, electric mirrows. It depends on what options came with your car. I'm not exactly sure what you mean by lighting, but if you turn your ignition on without starting, you should have a batttery light, seat belt, etc. All instrument clusters are different and I mean by my above comment. IS something burnt out???? or unusual compared to anyone elses car, model makes no difference.
Reply please Wayne

[99 Neon R/T]

The power mirror switch doesnt have a light.The headlight switch dosent have a light.And unless I am mistaken the glovebox dosent have a light.However if you pull the benzel around the heater controlls and the radio you will probably find a burned bulb behind the temp controll knob.To pull it is easy all you have to do is drop the ashtray and grab the benzel and pull.No screws just tension clips.I hope that helps a little.

[palindromelol]

Originally Posted by 99 Neon R/T

..And unless I am mistaken the glovebox dosent have a light.

I have a light in my glove box and a light on my ignition... the ignition light is on a delay relay.

[kok328]

Wayne,

"I'm not exactly sure what you mean by lighting, but if you turn your ignition on without starting, you should have a batttery light, seat belt, etc. All instrument clusters are different and I mean by my above comment. IS something burnt out???? or unusual compared to anyone elses car, model makes no difference. "

Yes, I have all the mentioned lights with key on, engine off.
According to those who have responded, I should have heater control backlighting, so I would assume I have a light out due to something (short, fuse, bulb, etc...).

Yes, I noticed this while driving the car and thought to myself, "geez, DCX didn't even light up the heater controls, how am I, as a stranger to this car, suppose to know where/what the knobs are?".

The car should be home tomorrow night for me to look at, if not, it will definitely be available this weekend.

Please be patient, I'll be sure to post my findings.

Thanks to all again.

[yale329]

Well the 2002 I just sold had lcd lights on all comtrols, including the mirror. So I'm not sure if it is a bulb. You certainly should have lights on your heater controls. Good luck.

[palindromelol]

There are plastic light guides penetrating the heater control knobs. It must be a bub.

[99 Neon R/T]

Originally Posted by palindromelol

I have a light in my glove box and a light on my ignition... the ignition light is on a delay relay.

Well then I guess I am mistaken.

[kok328]

Fuse 12 & 13 check out OK.

Come to find out the problem is intermittent. There are actually 2 bulbs for the Heater control panel. One was missing and the other checks out OK. I put a voltmeter to both sockets and I'm not getting power. I tried to pull the heater control panel from the dash but, "flying ant" night kicked in (one night of the year in Michigan, flying ants come out of their nests in the ground and swarm all over everything).
I'll have to wait to get a closer look at it later.

For now, I'm kinda stumped at my finding thus far, any suggestions?