No Illumination on Combo Meter/Radio/Clock/Lighter, etc

[backtolife]

Any ideas...on a few occasions I have had no illumination on any dash lights.

On a few separate occasions, the radio had flickering illumintation which would also go off & on.

This morning when I started the vehicle, there was no illumination for
several minutes as I had the fan on defrosting the vehicle. As I drove off a minute later, I shut the lights off & noticed the combo meter flash, I then turned the lights on immediately, & the dash lights, clock, radio, heated seats & cig lighter all became illuminated.

The mechanic said it sounds like a ground issue. My wife thinks it is the switch because when I turned the lights off and on, they worked. On 1 occasion in the past, I turned the lights off & on several times but there was still no illumination for about 5 minutes. When I tried turning it on again, it then worked.

thanks....

[bob259]

Originally Posted by backtolife

Any ideas...on a few occasions I have had no illumination on any dash lights.

On a few separate occasions, the radio had flickering illumintation which would also go off & on.

This morning when I started the vehicle, there was no illumination for
several minutes as I had the fan on defrosting the vehicle. As I drove off a minute later, I shut the lights off & noticed the combo meter flash, I then turned the lights on immediately, & the dash lights, clock, radio, heated seats & cig lighter all became illuminated.

The mechanic said it sounds like a ground issue. My wife thinks it is the switch because when I turned the lights off and on, they worked. On 1 occasion in the past, I turned the lights off & on several times but there was still no illumination for about 5 minutes. When I tried turning it on again, it then worked.

thanks....

Sounds like the ground or a connection problem more than the switch to me as well. If it was the switch it would be more consistent, a connection/ground problem is more intermintent and will suddelly come on or go off with the car movement/vibrations. Don't be surprised if it takes a few trips to the dealer to correct as these intermintent electrical problems are sometimes had to find.

[backtolife]

Originally Posted by bob259

Sounds like the ground or a connection problem more than the switch to me as well. If it was the switch it would be more consistent, a connection/ground problem is more intermintent and will suddelly come on or go off with the car movement/vibrations. Don't be surprised if it takes a few trips to the dealer to correct as these intermintent electrical problems are sometimes had to find.

This morning, I started the vehicle & the illumination worked for about 2 seconds, then everything went out except the glove box light.

I drove & 7 minutes later the illumination all came back on.

Could it be the ground to the switch? IA is the ground to the switch.
IB is the ground to the illumination of dash area including the glove box.

[backtolife]

This morning the radio was flickering in & out, but the dash lights & clock were OK.

The technician looked at it & said the IB ground seems ok.

He thinks it is the dimmer which is part of the combination meter. I have always left the dimmer just under the max where it clicks. He told me to leave it on max & if it does it again, to try & play with the dimmer & not the light switch.

He will order a combination meter.

What I don't understand is when all the dash lights go out, the radio illumination is also out, but why would the dash lights work when the radio flickers in & out.

Any opinions????

[LifeTech]

This seems to point to the dimmer in my opinion. Or the immediate dimmer circuit.

But without checking schematics and obvious ground points, could be other areas. I don't feel it is the combo meter. At least not to rule out at this point. There are many ground points. And, it only takes one culprit!!

LT

[backtolife]

Thanks Lifetech for your input!

The Team leader said the dimmer is part of the combination meter which is why he is changing it.

Could it be possible that the light switch is the problem since today I turned the switch off & then light in the dash & clock flicked. On the 3rd or 4th try the illumination in the dash, heat seater, clock & radio all came on.

The team leader suspects it could be the 3I and or 3G centre junction box connector as well as the dimmer.

Any other opinions would be appreciated.

Kind Regards

[LifeTech]

The problem can be figured out through careful schematic study. But I will probably say it is one open line(one component) dimmer maybe?, not more than this.An open Ground will cause failure on multiple paths and simulate multiple component failure .i.e. radio display as well as combo meter failure.

Replacing the combo meter will rule out a lot in this equation. Always check harnesses and connectors first. The obvious stuff. Check for continuity with a meter.

I just replaced a Ford Explorer cluster for a friend. He swore up and down and the dealer said the digital odo on the combo meter was faulty. Out of warranty he spent enough on poor diagnosis already at the dealer and a repair shop. He changed a transmission speed sensor etc. to no avail. I never worked on the truck myself ,just guided my friend. He ultimately was told it was the combo meter and I agreed to install it.(meter-$375)


...I hate Fords and he knows it, but I helped him out and when I went to swap out the combo meter I noticed the main harness on the meter was loose and not inserted completely. I plugged it in and all worked.. I told him to check this many months ago before he started spinning his wheels and wallet...the dealer and shop both failed him on this simple check.


I hate Fords. They always let yu down in the wallet$$$. I've owned just one in my life. It was very brief. Oh well.
good luck

LT

Good luck.

[backtolife]

Lifetech:
thanks again for your input.
I am waiting on the combination meter. When he changes this he suspects it could also be the center junction box connector.

I asked if he could check the connections to the radio.

I have also asked him if he could check the IA ground. He has said 100% that it is not the switch because I have a light in the glove box, marker lights & tail lights on the 1st click. He said he will check it anyway.

He has already check the IB ground & said this is ok.

He has not mentioned anything about using a continuity meter.

thanks again

[LifeTech]

Originally Posted by backtolife

Lifetech:
thanks again for your input.
I am waiting on the combination meter. When he changes this he suspects it could also be the center junction box connector.

I asked if he could check the connections to the radio.

I have also asked him if he could check the IA ground. He has said 100% that it is not the switch because I have a light in the glove box, marker lights & tail lights on the 1st click. He said he will check it anyway.

He has already check the IB ground & said this is ok.

He has not mentioned anything about using a continuity meter.

thanks again

From what yu say the tech did, I know he IS using a VOM and checking Continuity and Resistance across suspect circuits.

Goodluck.

LT

[mgus]

check the electrical part of your ignition switch you will find the connector is probably a little distorted from heat,replace switch and you will be all set

[backtolife]

Sorry for not posting back earlier...The dealer found a loose connector at the junction box. I believe the 3g &3i. Apparently they did not push the connector in fully when the dash was removed previously for the heater unit.