I have a 91 RS the dash clucter backlighting dosent work. Everything is stock except viper alarm and pioneer stereo system. I dont know if there is supposed to be a light in the gear shifter panel (automatic) so i might be able to see what gear im in w/o hitting the cabin light although ive aquired the talent to do it by feel. As hinted, the cabin light works along w/ everything else. I have a reading light plugged into the cigarette lighter and snaked toward the dash to see the instrument panel currently. Not horrible but not always completely convenient.

Any ideas. I checked the fuses all good. Probably wiring damage from alarm or stereo installation? or just a bulb in the dash. If wiring or dash bulb is suspected by anyone (most likely), please specify a method to attacking the dash deconstruction.
Thanks all.
-steve

 

hello Steve,

There is one fuse that controls all the lights for the dash and it is the "INST LMP" fuse. Yes there is a light bulb in the shifter console so you can see what gear you are in. If you have determined that all your fuses are good, here are a couple of other areas to look. There is a dark green wire that comes off the light switch that goes to the "INST LMP" fuse. There is also a gray wire that goes from that fuse to pin C13 of connector C2 on the instrument cluster. You might also have a bad light switch where the interior dimming function doesn't work. Have you checked to see if the light switch **** isn't turned to dim?

 

Im not exactly sure what you mean by that. none of the the lights dim. I didnt stipulate that the the A/C and heat control lights up except wen the dimmer is turned all the way to the right. don't know if that helps. could be completely separate. actually that might help with the dimmer question...

I just realized that the black panel surrounding the instrument panel pops out to some extent afraid to force it though. can i pop that piece out w/o destroying something. furthermore can i then check said wires and access the bulbs to check them out?
thanks again.
-steve

 

Okay Steve, the dimming function that I was referring to was when you turn the headlight **** the interior lights (instrument panel, shifter, radio, and such) will dim. Please give me a rundown of what interior lights do work when you turn on the headlights. The dome & courtesy lights do not count as they are on a seperate circuit. This way I can sort of narrow down where your problem is.

 

Alright wen you turn on the headlights all of the external lights are operational. In the interior, the light for A/C and heater controls comes on but does not dim at all with turning of the dimmer. Checked the fuse again and its def good. If you turn the dimmer to off (I think thats to the right if i remeber correctly) that light goes off too which would be expected. The shifter and instrument panel lights DO NOT come on. Thats my issue.

 

Oh yeah the radio lights work but as thats a new cd deck (not done myself but was bought with the car) Its prob separate now. Could that be the issue maybe the radio was disconnected and with that absent the circuit is incomplete?

 

No that wouldn't be an issue there. One thing that you can do is pull the shifter panel off and check the bulb in it and replace it with a known good bulb. It is a #194 bulb that you buy almost anywhere. If it works when you turn on the headlights, it narrows the area down to one gray wire instead of two. That gray wire that I mentioned that comes off the "INST LMP" fuse branches off under the dash to between 8 & 9 locations there depending on whether it is a convertible or not. Right now all but three of those locations work. Of those three, only two are important since the radio is an aftermarket affair and the panel lights on it are functional. If the problem with the shifter light is just a bad bulb then you only have the wire going to the instrument cluster to check.

 

Awesome I'll take a look at all that after work. Thanks again.

 

Ok so now the shifter plate light works (new bulb). nice work. Dash is still out though as u figured. Can I access the said grey wire and/ or the panel bulb(s) by removing the plastic piece surrounding the instrument panel? Furthermore does this piece just pull off? i got the outsides to pull off pretty easily but the inside (toward/next to the steering column) dosent give so easily. dont want to tear it out. tryin not to break anything. thanks again.

 

I figured out how to get that off. I removed the bottom panel to get to the screws. however i couldnt get the cluster out to check the bulb(s) because i couldnt fully remove that black plastic piece as the dimmer switch prevents it from actually coming out. any suggestions or other ways to access those instrument panel bulbs? im about to give up on this fix till at least christmas break.

Edit: actually i think i found out how to remove that handle and how to get at the bulbs in the archives. Wire question is still unanswered... One more question though: i can just remove the cluster and not worry about screwing up the odometer or airbag (SIR system) or anything right?

 

Yes, disconnect the battery first before you remove the instrument cluster. The speedometer is electrical so there is no problem about messing it up. Do not remove the faces from any of the instrument gages, there is no need to do that. Inside one of the opening at the base of the cluster you will find two cap nuts that hold the cluster in place. You may have to lower the steering column a little bit to get the cluster out. Check all the bulbs and the printed circuit tape on the back of the cluster. Did I send you a print out of the instrument cluster? If not let me know and I will send it to you.

 

Nope no diagram sent so send away. Awesome. Thanks a lot I was blind to this whole thing. just at a curiosity though y disconnect the battery, just a precaution so i dont fry myself? and what type of bulbs are in there. lastly are those bulbs a one goes out they all go out deal (series circuit i believe that would be) cuz if they're not that means that either all of the bulbs are blown, which would be weird, or its a wire. Thanks again.
-steve

 

Right now I can't send anything because my e-mail server decided to go on vacation a little bit ago. When it does come back up I will send it out to you. The reason that you want to disconnect the battery before you remove the cluster is to prevent the gages from jumping for one reason. Another reason on your car is that you don't want a face full of airbag and ringing ears. Now to mention uttering a vocabulary that you never knew you possessed.

 

Excellent I'm glad I asked. I needed a good laugh. Guess that answers the airbag question. whenever u get to sending that diagram is fine. wont get to the dash till the weekend at the earliest.

 

i have a 91 firebird was at one time my daily driver but about three years ago the dash lights quit workin can you try to point me in the right direction. i have checked all the fuses none bad so i checked if there was even power going to that fuse when the lights were turned on negative the ac/heater light dont work the shifter lights dont work none of the dash lights work help please!!!
ps im leaning toward the light switch but im open to suggestions