I am sick of looking at these web sites that are all owned by the same person, but they just look different..

I am trying to find the switch in the dashboard that controls the brightness of the gauge cluster and the dome light. The actual name is called 'Instrument light rheostat'

I payed Needforspeed3685 for one and he sent it to me, but ended up being the wrong kind of connection. They looked identical, just the connector was different and he said he would mail me the connector it came with so I could just switch mine out, but he never messaged me back and hasnt been online for a long time :( im over it oh well..

My current one is only partly broken..it still controls the brightness of the gauge cluster, it just doesn't switch into that dome light on state.

if anyone can help me find one on line that I can just buy I would be greatly appreciated. I've checked everywhere(yes ebay and google) except ecology. I guess if im not going to find it online im going to have to make a few junk yard runs...thanks guys

 

What about a used one from your local auto wreckers?

 

Well first, have you check the light socket in the dome light with a multimeter? There could be a wiring issue instead of the rheostat being bad. I'd check that first before running all over the place to see if a junkyard has one.

 

The light works fine. It goes on when I open my door. Notice when you turn your switch on, it clicks into the 'On' state? Well mine doesn't do the click into the on state. It just doesn't exist anymore. I even took it apart to see if I could find something wrong with it and that was a no go.

 

Well that sucks. So junkyard would probably be best. I would take a picture of your switch to compare it to the ones in the junkyard so you know you get the right one.

 

go to your local ford dealership, i needed a new mutifuntion switch(blinkers,fliud, wipers) got one new for 30 bucks.

 

yeah I was planning on doing that before the junkyard..thanks man..30 bucks for that switch huh? I would think coming from ford it would be more expensive

 

Thats not what he needs... Its the dimmer switch for the interior lights and the overhead/cargo light bypass....

 

The dash board dimmer switch in mine was effed up......ford quoted me over $70 and that was calling 4, yes 4 different dealerships. I just went to the junkyard and got it for $15 out of a 03 w/ 26k on the clock. Sometimes you can luck out by getting the dash plastic piece that goes over the gauges....with teh headlight switch and dimmer. Just remember....explorer ones are different. I tried one...wrong plug.

 

I think he was just giving an example..buuut I went to ford and got mine for 75 bucks...it will be here tomorrow. I would go to the junk yard to save the extra money, but with lack of time this was just more convenient.

 

I feel so accomplished..Ordered the new dimmer switch, fixed all the burned out lights behind my gauges, grounded my speaker wires so no more engine noise and tomorrow ill fix the dome light...almost in perfect condition again to maybe....sell....