Dash lights not working

[pat30327]

Whats up everyone, Im obviously new here, and just ran into an issue with my wifes protege.

Its a 2003 Protege Dx

The backlights for the dash display have gone out... and its not just where the speedometer is, its all the back dash lights, the ac\heat knobs too. Ive checked the fuses inside the car and everything is fine. Are there fuses that im missing for this and\or is there anything else i should be checking? They were working fine one minute then they just stopped, like it was a fuse. Nothing else has been effected, stereo still works, lights turn on when you push the A\C and defrost buttons.

Thanks for any help you can offer.

[Edit] Ive tried adjusting the knob (first thing I did) and I also noticed that the bell when you leave your headlights on and open the car door that goes off is also not working


Pat

[boostisgood]

try to adjust the little wheel swtich on the lower left side of the dash. Its a dimmer switch. (Not being funny I know many people who hit it and not know it)

[Ryoga28]

try to adjust the little wheel swtich on the lower left side of the dash. Its a dimmer switch. (Not being funny I know many people who hit it and not know it)

Yup it happened to me awhile ago and I thought something was broken.

[pat30327]

Yup it happened to me awhile ago and I thought something was broken.


I forgot to mention that id tried that... lol that was the first thing i looked at :) STill nothin

[boostisgood]

Hrrm. Interesting. IF the whole dash lighting is out, then you got 1. A blown fuse 2. A wiring issue. I really cant point you in the right direction right now. I might be able to drum up a schematic tomorrow though.

[pat30327]

Hrrm. Interesting. IF the whole dash lighting is out, then you got 1. A blown fuse 2. A wiring issue. I really cant point you in the right direction right now. I might be able to drum up a schematic tomorrow though.


the weird thing is, all the lights are working except the back lighting. The parking break light, and bright light works, odometer works, stereo, the ONLY thing ive noticed wrong is the backlights, and the bell to let you know you've left your lights on isnt working. I found another poster who had the same issue a little over a month ago, btu no one responded to his post.


Also, which fuse would it be that I need to check\replace, as I have said, I looked at all the fuses inside the fuse panel in the passenger compartment (yet to check the ones in the engine compartment) of the car, and all APPEAR to be ok, but I'd like to try replacing the correct fuse just to ensure thats not what it is

[pat30327]

Found what the problem is, and feel retarded. The circuit for the backlights and bell, are also on the circuit for your tail lights... when the fuse blows, its the way to know your tail lights arent on... the fuse was under the hood, not inside the car, and the only way I knew it was blown was taking a multimeter to it. Good stuff. Thanks for the help though!

[DiS]

I was just gonna post that you should check the rear lights fuse but you got to it before I could suggest, hehe. I had this happen on my Nissan Maxima few years ago. Good to hear that you fixed the problem!