96 ford ranger xl 4wd

Problem: Dash lights & radio not working.

Cab fuse box tested & fuses #24 & #28 not receiving power. All fuses & relays tested and are good. Dimmer switch turns on dom light but no effect to dash lights. Replaced instrument cluster bulbs before checking fuses so bulbs are new. Warning lights still work on dash.

Looking at previous forms, google, YouTube. I’m not finding anything relevant or solution.

Any next steps would be greatly appreciated.

 

Welcome to the forum

Fuse 3 in cab fuse box powers Parking lights which then power dimmer wheel when Park lights are on
If Park lights work then fuse 3 is OK
The dimmer wheel's Dome light on/off switch is powered by another fuse, 27, but no connection to dash back light power

When you turn on Park lights or Headlights, that main head light switch sends 12volts to Dimmer, dimmer then sends out 5 to 12volts to the back light bulbs, in cluster or climate control or several other back light switches
There is a fuse between main light switch and dimmer, Fuse 7 in cab fuse box, it only has 12v with Park lights on

If park lights work then either main light switch is not sending out to 12v fuse 7 and to dimmer, or that part of dimmer is bad, assuming NO BACK LIGHTS work any where on the dash


Radio has Key ON 12volts from fuse 20 in cab fuse box, 7,5amp
1 wire from ignition switch powers 3 fuses in cab fuse box, 12, 16 and 20
16 is for wipers, so if they work then wire from ignition switch is OK

If you have a JBL Premium sound system(CD Player), fuse 22 in the Engine bay fuse box powers that system,

Fuse 29 in cab fuse box sends 12v to Radio all the time, its just to hold Clock time and Preset radio stations, doesn't power the Radio part

 

Did you replace incandescent lamps with LEDs? If so, LEDs might be polarity-sensitive, something incandescents don't suffer from.