PRND21 lights in dash

[Unco]

i just swapped the instrument cluster in my gen3 for one that has the PRND21 lights between the speedo and the tacho as the one in my car was blanked out.

however, the only gear that lights up when selected is "R" (reverse), when i select other gears, the R light goes out but the other gears don't light up.

what am i missing?

[feliks]

Bulbs that aren't blown? lol

[xtremeskier97]

Originally Posted by feliks

Bulbs that aren't blown? lol

hahahaha!!!

[ASG14]

Originally Posted by feliks

Bulbs that aren't blown? lol

Quote of thw week!

[Unco]

Originally Posted by feliks

Bulbs that aren't blown? lol

that's not it. i have replaced the bulbs and they're still not lighting up. i'll try to explain it better:

my original cluster did not have any lights. there was just a blanking plate. i have put a cluster out of a different spec gen3 with the lights for PRND21 but only the reverse light comes on, the others don't.

my guess is that there is something missing, a switch or something.

i hope someone can help.

[Creeps228]

seems like your gen3 was manual before so its setup differently and i have no idea to deal with something like that

[ASG14]

^ No, it was always an Auto.

unco, if you can, take the shifter trim piece off and take a few pics. I wanna see if the wiring is there. I have a feeling it may not be plugged in.

[ASG14]

Ok, after desperatley trying to use what little wiring knowledge I have and reading a Gen 3 wiring diagram, then talking to a Gen 2 friend of mine in Aus, there may be a connector not connected behind the glove box. Take the glove box out and look for an unconected plug. Also, how many wires are there on the plug going into the indicator strip on the instrument cluster?

[Unco]

Originally Posted by ASG14

Ok, after desperatley trying to use what little wiring knowledge I have and reading a Gen 3 wiring diagram, then talking to a Gen 2 friend of mine in Aus, there may be a connector not connected behind the glove box. Take the glove box out and look for an unconected plug. Also, how many wires are there on the plug going into the indicator strip on the instrument cluster?

i made a point of checking out the wiring behind the shifter trim when i when to the junkyard today and i could not see any difference between the donor car and mine.

the glovebox thing may just be it. i'll have a look tomorrow as it's 6pm here already and i've been working on the car all day.

thanks for the tip and i'll let you know how it goes.

[dc_98_cam]

The Gen 3 wiring diagram also shows that the rheostat control .... which adjust the light intensity could be at fault. ... The rheostat controls the amount of current going through the shift indicator lights ... if it is defective, then maybe no current at all is getting through.
The rheostat is the dial on the dash ... drivers side, with a green, a black, and a white/black stripe wire. Could just be a dirty internal connection ... try cleaning with spray, maybe. ... Test rotation to see if it is not adjusted to completely off position.

Just re-read original post ... does your car actually have a rheostat?
If not, could that be the problem? The indicator light current has to have some sort or ground connection .... originally designed to go through the rheostat.

The J2 connector behind the glove box looks like it might just be a short connector type ... just some metal clips, which you could remove, clean with electrical contact cleaner spray, and replace. ... not completely sure though. ... Looks like it has a flip type cover, and doesn't really connect to another connector.

Might be a good idea to disconnect negative battery terminal while you test internal wiring.

[Unco]

well, i finally had a chance to remove the glovebox and i could not see any 'unconnected' plugs.

i do have a rheostat and it does work fine. remember, the "R" light does light up, it's just the rest of the lights that don't light up.

i'll check the number of wires going into the connector in the next few days and get back to you. thanks for the help so far.

[dc_98_cam]

Take a look at Gen 3 wiring diagram ... online repair manual .... p. 200 ... V6 engine.
Current goes through 10A panel fuse, and then through neutral start switch.

[Unco]

had a look at the manual. i've checked all the fuses and they're fine. the manual says it could be one of 5 things:

1. Bulb
2. Combination Meter Wiring Circuit
3. Park / Neutral Position Switch
4. Light Control Rheostat
5. Wire Harness

i know it's not 1 or 4. so that leaves either a Park / Neutral Position Switch or missing wiring. so maybe the Park / Neutral Position Switch is different on vehicles fitted with the switch indicator on the dash? i'll have to get the switch out of the donor car one of these days and see if that's all it is. thanks for the help so far.

[dc_98_cam]

Originally Posted by Unco

so maybe the Park / Neutral Position Switch is different on vehicles fitted with the switch indicator on the dash? i'll have to get the switch out of the donor car one of these days and see if that's all it is. thanks for the help so far.

.... That might be the case. If, you find that the parts do look the same, you might have to get a test light or voltmeter and trace it from one point to the next.