I have a weird illumination issue coming from my dash. The left side which includes the Gas gauge and Water Temp gauge do not light up when I turn on the lights and My speedometer is only illuminated half ways w/intermittent lighting . I have checked the Dash fuse and it is good, replaced the illumination dimmer switch since it wasn't working and it has not solved the problem. I think its either a wire or ground on the harness or the Dash itself. Anybody else had such an issue w/their Dashboard lights? Thank you

 

Your gauge cluster has 6 wedge-base bulbs in it that are used to light it up. You could just have some bulbs that are burnt out.

Remove the cluster and check all of the bulbs and connectors first.

 

There is only 1 Ground shared by all the bulbs, but there are 2 power connections on 2 separate connectors, so bulbs are 1/2 and 1/2 with those connectors.
Connectors are on the back of the dash.


Diagram attached
Bulbs are at the bottom of diagram, they use Light Blue/red stripe wires on connectors
Check voltage on both, and while it is a long shot bulbs DO burn out, and there could have been a voltage surge on the one wire that took out all the bulbs on that leg.
If Dimmer wasn't working then that could have been from an issue that took out just those bulbs.

 

If I'm correct, the dimmer switch in itself is a very large potentiometer. If that's the case, and the material inside burned up, that quick voltage burst could have done something like that. It's a long shot, but might be an explanation.

 

I found my problem. The problem all this time was that i had bought 99 cent led lights from ebay to replace my 194 bulbs. The place stated it would fit my application but after careful examination I could see that the light would not fit snug in the connectors and the craftsmanship looked doubtful. therefore they are s****. I bought some regular 194 bulbs from autozone and voila. Lights are all on w/out issue. So to anybody else out there buying those 1$ leds Id think twice about it.

 

If you want to buy LED bulbs (which I recommend) buy quality ones. I got mine from superbrightleds.com and have never had a problem with 'em.

I know I talk about superbrightleds a ton, and I'm not affiliated with 'em in any way, just very satisfied with their products.

 

I second this. They're the go-to place for all things LED, especially vehicle lighting.

 

Yes... Have a 02' XLT 4WD 4.0 Auto. Have the same problem as you and sounds as though we have the "same" black out area. Must ask you I also have issue with #2 fuse burn outs. Heat/AC blower, back up lights, passenger airbag and others... Have a new post out just today on my matter. Managed to fix my interments lighting problem. Wal-Mart $1.00 flash light with a loop cord to hang on auto trans lever and away we go..!

 

Also make sure you have the LED's inserted with the correct polarity. The stock bulbs didn't matter, but the LED's only work one way.