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“96 Ford Ranger dash lights not working”

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Old 06-26-2019
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“96 Ford Ranger dash lights not working”

I have a 96 Ford Ranger sky extended cab and my dash lights aren’t working making it hard to drive at night. When I want and pulled them out only two were burnt out and after doing that all my signal lights went out and I’m not sure if it’s the fuse or my lights. I have attached a photo of my fuse box as I’m not sure which fuse is which.
 
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Old 06-26-2019
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Welcome to the forum

Go here and download your 1996 Owners manual, it will have the fuse box "map": https://www.ranger-forums.com/genera...1-models-3747/

The instrument cluster lights get power from the Dimmer wheel which gets power from the Main Light switch when Parking Lights(or head lights) are on

Power path
Fuse #3 is main light switch power------------------Light switch(parking light relay)----------------Fuse #7-----------------Dimming Wheel--------------instrument cluster bulbs

Fuse #3 has power all the time, not key on/off power

There is a Parking Light Relay that passes this power to parking lights and dimming wheel, but if Parking Lights are working then that relay is OK

Dimming wheel also can turn on the Dome light, but that uses different power/fuse, so dimming wheel can fail for instrument lights but dome light still works, and visa versa
 

Last edited by RonD; 06-26-2019 at 09:32 AM.
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Old 06-26-2019
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Ok , I have checked all my fuses and they are good, is there a way to test the dimmer wheel? Also what would cause my signal lights and hazard lights to go out? Where are the dash lights located on my truck as well?

thank you for your help
 
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Old 06-26-2019
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In 1995 and up Rangers turn signal and hazards share one Flasher unit

Flasher and several other relays are located in Relay box 1 just above gas pedal area, it has a black cover over it

Layout is similar to this: https://www.2carpros.com/images/ques...3/original.jpg


You would need to use a Volt/Ohm meter to test if power is getting to the dimmer wheel and leaving it, and then OHM Meter to see if wheel resistance is changing when rotated
Same Voltage test for main light switch
 
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Old 06-26-2019
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Ok I will do that thank you so much for your help
 
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Old 06-26-2019
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I have confirmed my dimmer wheel is bad as fuse 7 and 3 are still good, I cannot find the relay for my turn signals anywhere in my truck and I am wondering if it’s some where else
 
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Old 06-26-2019
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If its not in Relay Box 1 then it will be by itself hanging under the dash on drivers side, its a Blue Cube

Picture here when its in Relay box 1: https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...d-p9230008.jpg
Top of box

Picture here under the dash, with panel removed: https://static.cargurus.com/images/s...1600x1200.jpeg
Might be clipped to metal bar that holds bottom of panel
Yellow flasher was the wrong one, and what parts store sold him :)
 
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Old 06-26-2019
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The actual fuse was to low and I guess when I pulled the dash it blew I go that sorted along with the dash lights.

Thank you for the help
 
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