hey guys,
I have a 2003 lancer ES and my dash lights slowly got dim in the last couple of days then completely went out yesterday. all the other lights work like the turning signals, headlights, taillights, low oil, low gas,etc except for the gauges. I checked the fuses under the steering wheel and they were all fine. I also checked the wires attached and the ground wires but they both seemed to be ok. Also the lights that say P,R,N,D,1,2 are off to. and made sure the dimmer is at its brightest and still nothing.

ANY SUGGESTIONS?

 

re-check fuses, i'll have a peak through the diagrams tomorrow morning if no one answers by then...

 

ok I will, thanks alot

 

check if your tail lights and rear license plate lights work...if not, replace fuse #21 in the relay box under the hood, they are on the same circuit...i know you said the tail lights work, but just verify fuse 21 is not blown...

 

I looked again and replaced it and a couple others with new fuses and still nothing

 

check and make sure your dimmer switch is plugged in the entire way. if the switch is plugged in the entire way, my guess is the dimmer switch went bad.

 

the dimmer switch on the steering wheel or the one one the left hand side under the A/C vent?

 

by the ac vent, the knob that you would turn up and down to adjust the brightness of your odometer cluster. if that switch isn't working, then none of your lights on the dash will come on with the headlights. you can take a flat screw driver to the side of the switch housing and pop the entire housing out. make sure all the wires are connected properly in the harness and that the harness is snapped firmly in place. from what you described its either a loose connection there, or the switch just went bad. good luck, let us know when you resolve the problem

 

ok, I unplugged it and pulled it back up and still no luck. Do you think its the dimmer itself? and where can I find it? I didnt see it on autozone.com

 

thats what i think is the problem

http://www.ebay.com/itm/02-03-04-05-...item27c609b9b1

 

thanks bro, your a life saver i'll try this and let you know what happens

 

I tried already

 

i had the same problem with my right hand turning signal in the gauge cluster, and I had to replace the little bulbs inside

 

lol man I really hope thats not the problem

 

dimmer rheostat p/n MR190954 if you want a brand new one...