I Need Help!

[tacomonkey69]

So the lights on my speedometer are not working (yes I checked the dimmer switch ). All of the signal, hight beams, check engine and so on lights. The lights on the a/c and rear window defroster buttons still work but not the lights on the on the 3 air control knobs and the lights around them. I’ve checked the fuse and it's been blown. First i thought "hey it's an old fuse so I’ll just replace it”, well the replacement fuse blew. So what could be the possible problems and solutions? I really need to know because when I drive at night I don't know how fast I’m going.

oh yeah and i have a 97 CE V6 5spd and my radio still works if that helps.

[dc_98_cam]

Is the 5 amp IGN fuse the one that has blown? Which fuse exactly?
When you put a new fuse in, do you see the "charge" light on the instrument panel glow briefly?
Thinking it might be a short within the rheostat (dimmer switch), but need more information first.

[tacomonkey69]

Originally Posted by dc_98_cam

Is the 5 amp IGN fuse the one that has blown? Which fuse exactly?
When you put a new fuse in, do you see the "charge" light on the instrument panel glow briefly?
Thinking it might be a short within the rheostat (dimmer switch), but need more information first.

it's the 7.5 amp panel fuse. i changed it during day time so i couldn't tell if glowed briefly

[dc_98_cam]

It could be a problem then with the dimmer switch .... shorted internally or something. Still kind of guessing here .... need to see if the dimmer pins are shorted out. Is it possible to remove the dimmer switch from the dash, without being a major project? Do you have an ohmeter or a voltmeter to test the pins on the dimmer switch? ... Basically, need to know if there is a short, or zero resistance, between the 'green' wire and the 'white with black stripe' wire on the dimmer switch.