Dash Lights not working

[wassell2381 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close wassell2381]

I have a problem with my 2000 Prado's dash lights.

When I turn the headlights on the dash illuminations are supposed to light up. All lights on center dash (CD player, A/c, Clock) light up but the lights on the instrument cluster (tacho, speedo, fuel gauges etc) don't come on. Its annoying when driving at night cause i cant see my speed!!

I have gotten into the back of the instrument dimmer switch(Rheostat) and have provide power to the instrument lights and the all work fine but when i reconnect the dimmer switch they fail to work again.

I have circuit tested the input to the dimmer switch and it goes goes to 12 volts when i turn the headlights on and back to 0 when they go off so the dimmer is getting the signal but it is not producing power to instrument lights.

Has anyone had any similar problems with theirs or does anyone have a clue what is happening?

Cheers

[McBAIN Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close McBAIN]

if you bridge the wires in the connector to the dimmer does the dash light up? could be dodgy switch?

[wassell2381 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close wassell2381]

I have tried to bridge the wires and the lights don't work either.
Im thinking that the Rheostat is buggered but not being able to bypass it makes me think that it might be something else.

I have checked all of the fuses that i could find on the car and they are all sweet.

I have a wiring diagram from the Max Ellery's book and it shows that the headlight switch is double linked to the dash lights and it looks like the rheostat is already bypassed to some extent for those?

[wassell2381 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close wassell2381]

I spoke to Toyota about the price for a new instrument dimmer switch and they gave me a price of $245.50 :shock:
I guess ill just have to go and see an auto electrician

[Tim Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Tim]

Re: Dash Lights not working

Bumping back up this old post as i now have exactly the same problem with my 2000 prado
anyone had the same issue and know what the problem is??

[wassell2381 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close wassell2381]

Re: Dash Lights not working

Hey man, Its the rheostat that's the problem. With my old car i just ended up bypassing it completely as they are costly to replace. Unfortunately i can't remember which wires to connect back together but im sure there aren't too many back there.

Dan

[GH4wd Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close GH4wd]

Re: Dash Lights not working

Could you get a dimmer switch from the wreckers :?:

Cheers,

Glenn

[Tim Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Tim]

Re: Dash Lights not working

Well, got a new a dimmer from the wreckers for $22, installed it and still no lights. What are the chances of getting a dodgy one from the wreckers or could it be another problem?

[Tim Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Tim]

Re: Dash Lights not working

Turns out that the Tail light fuse is the relevant fuse for the dash lights, If anyone needs a rheostat let me know

[StormyKnight Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close StormyKnight]

Re: Dash Lights not working

Sorry Mate I didn't see this post earlier as I know the answer....

Twice over 2 years we borrowed a neighbors trailer.....twice the dash lights (& tail lights) failed to work the next night time we drove at night! (Slow learners us!)

We now have our own trailer so this should avoid the issue again.

Did you use someone else's trailer?

Cheers

[Ande Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Ande]

Re: Dash Lights not working

Thanks Stormy Knight

I just borrowed a mates trailer, and guess what?

I'll check the tail light fuse.

[hawks667 Member Find all posts View Profile Close hawks667]

Re: Dash Lights not working

Just connected the light on my VDO Volt gauge for my Aux battery & had no dash lights.....First thing i did was check on here & yep, the tail light fuse had blown....