[mudder]

Prior to disassembly of my dash I have lost all the lights on the instrument cluster.
The dimmer switch for the cluster has always acted a little strange -not always quickly responsive to turning it.
I'm an Electrical Dunce, I do have a Multimeter.
How can I test if the dimmer is bad?

 

[fourwd1]

Pull the dimmer control out and check the resistance between the 1st and 2nd terminals. The resistance should change as you rotate the knob.

 

[mudder]

Checked the resistance of dimmer switch it tests fine 0 To infinite.
The fuse does not pop when I turn on the taillight setting of the headlight switch but it also does not power up the taillights.
When I turn the Headlight switch to the headlight setting that is when the fuse pops.
I ran a voltage test to the taillight circuit at Fuse Box it reads good 12v or so.
Ran continuity test to the taillight circuit at Fuse Box it reads SHORT when grounded to the frame.
Wiring looks good; my next suspects are the Taillight relay switch, Headlight Switch and Headlight relay.
I saw the thread on testing the Headlight Relay but my relay does not tell you which terminal is which number, can you tell me so I can perform that test?
Pulled out the Taillight relay as well this one diagrams which terminal is which,
What is the test for this relay?
Also how can the Headlight switch be tested?

 

[fourwd1]

Ran continuity test to the taillight circuit at Fuse Box it reads SHORT when grounded to the frame.

The bulbs are a very low resistance, and would look like a short.
Relays seldom go bad.
The light combo switch is prone to failure. Search 4crawler.com, there is info on troubleshooting it there.

 

[mudder]

Searched the 4crawler website.
Found info on cleaning contacts for the headlight switch and a mess of other good stuff like modifications for it, but could not find an easy to follow "troubleshooting" for the device.
I'm basically at square one here and have no confidence from what I’ve read that I’m any closer to resolving this one and it’s taking way too much time. Please remember I’m an Electrical Dunce.

I want to take the taillight connections at the main rear connection point out of the equation. I read on this site if you disconnect them at that connection you have done that, is that true?
I want to do this because I have had issues back there before and resolved them by installing a ground wire to the frame back there. That issue started when I installed Trailer lights about (6) years ago, this is the first issue I’ve had with the taillights since then.