I have no Dashboard Light

[memevertical]

Hi everyone, I just bought a Camry LE 95. Let me start by saying WOW, it runs really smooth, and its very fuel efficient.

Ok, my problem is that the dashboard doesnt light up. Specifically all the back illumination (where you see the speed and that).

Last week it turned on for like 30 seconds, and went off.

This makes me believe that it may be a broken wire, but I dont know exactly where to look for something like that.

Also, all the area where you control the AIR doesnt have light also, and I read somewhere that the AIR control lights and the dashboard lights use the same fuse, but, can a Fuse work sometimes and sometimes not???

Thanks guys......

[JCamry94]

You can check the fuse box, do that first.

Secondly if you feel bold enough opening up the cluster, get a screwdriver and unscrew the holes toward the top and go from there!

After you get everying off you can replace the bulbs if they have gone out, most of them are 168/194 bulbs and a few are 74.

[memevertical]

Thanks for writing.

Which Fuse is the one that controls the dash board? I see a lot of titles in the fuse box but dont know which one it is.....

Thanks.

[96paseo]

Originally Posted by memevertical

Thanks for writing.

Which Fuse is the one that controls the dash board? I see a lot of titles in the fuse box but dont know which one it is.....

Thanks.

Look for "dash" or "illum" on the fuse diagram.

[ASG14]

Also, try playing with the dimmer control switch for the dash lights. See if turning the knob makes a difference.

[memevertical]

Thanks for answering.

I actually didnt find any title on the fuse box that had "Dash" or "Illum".

I played with the knob, but nothing happens.

Any other ideas? Thanks for your help!

[Gibson99]

check the wiring to the dimmer knob. if it's loose or unplugged your dash won't light up. as far as i know, there is not a separate fuse for the dash lights, so as long as your parking lights are on on the outside of the car, the dash should be lit up too. dimmer knob is my #1 suspect for your car based on what you describe.

[memevertical]

Thanks for that info......

How can I access the dimmer knob? Is there a step by step guide somewhere? Do I need to take the whole panel off?

Thanks for the help.

[memevertical]

Well, I managed to access the Knob. I didnt see anything wrong (I'm no specialist) but I disconected the plug on the knob and re-conected it, and still no luck.

My next question would be, can the reason be the lights behind the dashboard? Can they work one day and not work the next day?

What should I do next?

[ASG14]

Follow this till step 5: http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t220377.html

[memevertical]

Ok, but remember, the dashboard lights wont turn on (excluding the P-R-D and any other small ones), and also all the back of the Air controls wont turn on, and sometimes (once a week) everything turns on for like seconds.....

So, that been said, you think that the problem can be the bulbs?

[Gibson99]

Originally Posted by memevertical

Ok, but remember, the dashboard lights wont turn on (excluding the P-R-D and any other small ones), and also all the back of the Air controls wont turn on, and sometimes (once a week) everything turns on for like seconds.....

So, that been said, you think that the problem can be the bulbs?

no, if everything turns on all at once and goes back out all at once, it cannot be the bulbs. the odds of it actually being teh bulbs in that situation is astronomical. you'll win the lottery 142 times before that!

this points to a switch, relay, or loose connection (which could include a broken wire) somewhere. if all your outside lights work then it's probably not a relay, but rather the dimmer knob itself. if i had the wiring diagram i could tell you a way to put some jumpers into the dimmer switch plug and test it that way - the dash lights would be on full bright that way, but it would rule out the dimmer knob.

[ASG14]

^ Yeah, I'd think the dimmer knob, a wire leading to/from it, or a ground.

I have an extra dimmer switch I think I can sell dirt cheap. Just need to find it......