1994 SL2 Console lights not working...

[$ilv3rado]

Hey guys,

I own a 1994 Saturn SL2 and was wondering if anyone knew weather there actually are lights in the area in the picture below:



The lights around the Vol and Tune nob finally lite up the other night, but the rest of the stereo was still dark. I'm not to worried about the stereo because I plan on putting a new one in eventually any way. However, ever since I got the car none of the lights except for the air circulation and A/C lights light up below the stereo. The rest of the area such as the fan speed, cold/hot, and fan adjustment fails to light up. I'm assuming there are supposed to be lights behind this area, but I just have a short some where?

[saturnspeed_12]

have you checked fuses?

[$ilv3rado]

Yes, I've checked the fuses. The fuse that supposedly controls the lights in that area also controls many other features such as the chime, brake lights, seat belts, etc. If the fuse was bad then all this other stuff shouldn't work, if I'm correct. Which leads me to think it's a wiring problem, maybe a short somewhere...however, I don't know how hard that would be to fix or if it's even worth it. It just gets annoying trying to adjust fan speed/temp/position in the dark.

[saturnspeed_12]

ok well im looking at a wiring diagram, and its hard to see, but if you can pull the hvac panel out test the grey wire that gets plugged into it for voltage with the lights on. from this wiring diagram it also seems like the illumination for the radio is also that grey wire. they lead to the dimmer switch.

also if you dont know how to get the unit out, the trim covering it pops off, just gently pry around it and the clips pop loose(start from top). then from there there is some bolts that on it in place.

[$ilv3rado]

Originally Posted by saturnspeed_12

ok well im looking at a wiring diagram, and its hard to see, but if you can pull the hvac panel out test the grey wire that gets plugged into it for voltage with the lights on. from this wiring diagram it also seems like the illumination for the radio is also that grey wire. they lead to the dimmer switch.

also if you dont know how to get the unit out, the trim covering it pops off, just gently pry around it and the clips pop loose(start from top). then from there there is some bolts that on it in place.

Alright I'll give that a try. This wiring diagram you were looking at though, was it online somewhere? Also, how exactly do you get to the hvac panel? Thanks.

[saturnspeed_12]

i have a wiring diagram at my house. there might be one online but i have no idea. but to remove the hvac panel, the trim piece that covers the radio and hvac just pops off. i take back what i said, instead of starting at the top start at the bottom and pry it out. there are clips that hold it in. once thats off, there are 2 screw that hold the radio in, remove the and pull the radio out and disconnect the connector and antenna cable. then the hvac has 3 screws hold it in, remove thos and pull it out and look for the grey wire. im not sure there might be multiple grey wires, but just a straight grey wire, no dotted colors on it or stripes. i dont know which connector it is since there are like 3 connectors in the unit. i think 2 of them are simple, you just hold down a button and it releases while one of them has like clips you need to unlatch.

but anyways you might be able to test from the radio too. look for a straight grey wire there and test for voltage when the lights are on. but it would be good to test at the hvac control too.

[$ilv3rado]

Originally Posted by saturnspeed_12

i have a wiring diagram at my house. there might be one online but i have no idea. but to remove the hvac panel, the trim piece that covers the radio and hvac just pops off. i take back what i said, instead of starting at the top start at the bottom and pry it out. there are clips that hold it in. once thats off, there are 2 screw that hold the radio in, remove the and pull the radio out and disconnect the connector and antenna cable. then the hvac has 3 screws hold it in, remove thos and pull it out and look for the grey wire. im not sure there might be multiple grey wires, but just a straight grey wire, no dotted colors on it or stripes. i dont know which connector it is since there are like 3 connectors in the unit. i think 2 of them are simple, you just hold down a button and it releases while one of them has like clips you need to unlatch.

but anyways you might be able to test from the radio too. look for a straight grey wire there and test for voltage when the lights are on. but it would be good to test at the hvac control too.

Ok, I'll do that and tell ya how it turns out. However, I believe I'll wait till I put a new stereo in which hopefully will be in the next few weeks, so I won't have to pull it all out twice. Thanks.