Demon_Mustang

Hello all, I drive a 1992 GT, as some of you know, and today, when leaving work, I turned on my lights, and my headlights turned on, but my instrument cluster backlighting didn't. I tried switching the switch a few times, same thing. I looked at my brake lamps and license plate lamps because they are all on the same fuse, and they were working fine, so the only thing malfunctioning was the lighting on my dash. I tried a few things, and eventually I turned on my high-beams for a second and turned them back off and that got them to turn on. I got home, and turned off my car and lights, turned it back on and tried it again, this time the instrument cluster lights work fine the way it should.

Does anyone know why it would do this? Is it a sign that the switch is about to die soon? Does anyone know where the switch is that controls only those lights and nothing else?

All help will be appreciated.

nemethjames1

im not to sure what to tell you, there are so many electrical things in your dash i wouldnt know where to begin... i guess your switch could be real old and have alot of build up, maybe you should get some electrical cleaner and spray it around on the switch and what not.. and see if that does anything... does your switches feel the same? because sometimes when they go out they will feel alot different than they should... did you try messing with your dimmer switch? those seem to go out from time to time.....other than that i would guess you gotta short in your dash somewhere

mustang8719

I would look at the dimmer switch first I had the same problem with mine till i replaced the dimmer switch.

Acer2428

Yep, our 1992 Taurus (beater car) has the same problem..... Giggle the dimmer siwthc and your fine... We duct taped it and it's fine now

P.S. I think the car has more ductt ape than metal...lol

roundman

get some electrical contact cleaner spray from Radio Shack or some other place and spray the dimmer switch with it while working the switch back and forth to scrub off the corrosion that is probably causing the problem. this should take care if it unless the wiring on the switch is about gone.

Demon_Mustang

Hm, sounds like a plan.

nemethjames1

like i said.... contact spray, that **** works wonders, i use it alot on all my electrical ****, and most of the time it makes it feel like new..... you can get it just about anywhere... i usualy get the crc electrical cleaner.... works wonders for me, i'd try it

roundman

yeah, I almost forgot about the CRC electrical contact cleaner, that stuff is real good too!