86 toyo PU Dash Lights? Fuse

[canadianbiz]

Does anyone know where the fuse is for the dash lights on an 86 Toyota PU? My dash lights are out and I checked the fuse box in the drivers side kick panel but there is not fuse there for that. I also checked my dashlight switch on the lower dash and I have no power to the switch. I have read other posts where the dash lights and tail lights are on the same circuit but my tail lights work fine. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks, Eric

[reb]

The schematic diagram in the '85 shop manual (I would expect the '86 to be the same) seems to indicate that the tail light fuse controls the dash lights. By "dashlight switch" on the lower dash do you mean the rheostat that controls the intensity? My wife called me one evening complaining that the dash lights were out--it turned out that the rheostat was turned to the off position. If that is not your problem, I would guess that there is a loose connector somewhere.

Good luck. Let us know what you find.

[canadianbiz]

Hey reb,
Yes the dash light switch is the rheostat that controls brighter/dimmer dash lights. I did check that and there is no power going to that. As I was saying, my taill lights do work so there must as you say be a loose connection. I read about the tail lighs and dash light combination. What were these people thinking about when they came up with that idea???? Having something as important as tail lights on the dash light circuit LOL. thanks, Eric

[reb]

A reply to another post triggered an idea. You might check to verify the ground to the circuit is ok. The schematic indicates it is grounded under the left front pillar and the right front fender, but there is no hint of how the wires are physically routed. However, if you checked the voltage to the rheostat (both sides?) with the meter grounded somewhere else, the circuit ground is ok.

[canadianbiz]

Thanks, I will also check that out. Hopefully I can get this figured out so I dont have to go to a shop and get that checked for $549.50 LOL.
Now if that was a new truck, probably the whole system would shut down over this.