Last night I discovered my dash panel lights weren't working in my 1996 Ford Ranger (extended cab, 4 cylinder, manual transmission with overdrive). The dinner switch does nothing except turn on my dome light. The cigar lighter and my glove compartment light work, but the instrument cluster is dark as well as the heater/AC cluster.

I've checked the fuse panel on the left side of the dashboard and the fuse/relay box under the hood. Nothing looks bad. Perhaps it's the dash panel light bulbs, but why would they all fail at once? Are they connected in series light cheap Christmas tree lights?

 

Welcome to the forum

No, not in series
So they have lost 12v or ground, but most likely 12volts lost

Check fuse #7 in Cab fuse box, 7.5amp, PULL IT OUT

If fuse 7 is OK then either the Main Light switch or Dimmer is the issue

Dimmer has TWO 12v IN wires, one for Dome Light and one for Dash lights
Dome light 12v is separate, no connection to dash light 12volts
Dash light 12volts comes from Main Light switch when Park Lights or Headlights are ON

If park lights work then their fuse is OK, but that same 12v is sent to fuse 7 and then out to Dimmer, so you can test if fuse 7 terminal has 12volts with Park Lights on, if so Main light switch is OK
And if fuse 7 is OK then dimmer is the problem

If Park lights don't work then fuse 3 in cab fuse box is bad, 15amp

 

Thank you! I've already checked fuse 7. It looks good. I'll make those other checks tomorrow and report back.

 

Parking lights work and fuse #3 looks good. So, it's the dimmer?

There's a used on eBay. I just hope I can figure out who to remove the dash panel. Maybe there's a Youtube video on that subject.

 

Yes, there are videos on changing main light switch which are the same steps as dimmer next to it

Did you test if fuse 7 has 12volts with Park lights on?
If not then problem may be the Main Light switch not the dimmer

 

No, I didn't do that test. But I will soon. I need a new battery for my multimeter.