Dashboard Light Problem


I have a weird problem with instrument lighting in the dashboard of my 2000 L. When I turn my lights on everything works fine but if I turn the truck off then start it again and turn the lights on the dash lights don’t come on. It usually takes about fifteen minutes and then the dash lights come back on. This is a real pain in the azz because for about fifteen minutes I can’t tell how fast I’m going. I checked the fuse and it is fine. This only happens when I start the truck for the second time like if I stop for gas or something.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks,

Pete

 

2001 F-150 SPORT,

1. Go ahead and pull the headlamp switch, but be careful because these things are prone to break.. Don't force anything..
Using a thin bladed screwdriver, find the insert around the switch and push the release tabs and the switch will come out.

**Make the fault be present before continuing this troubleshooting process.**

2. Check the dark blue and white striped wire to
make sure that it has voltage.
If no voltage is present then you may have a wiring issue.

3. Check the light blue and red striped striped wire to
make sure that it has voltage.
No voltage, check the ground, black wire, if you have a good ground, then it is the switch.

4. If voltage is present on steps 2 & 3 and you have a good ground, you got a wiring problem on the light blue and red striped wire. Could possibly be at the splice S242 located behind the instrument cluster area.
But I hope it doesn't come to that!!

Good Luck and keep me posted as to what you find..

FordMasterTech

 

FordMasterTech,

Thank you for the help. I don’t know if I am brave enough to try what you described. I would have to first buy a voltmeter. I am afraid that I will monkeyfuk the job and end up with no lights on my newly acquired Lightning. I just did it again tonight, I was messing around with it to see if I could figure it out. I turned the lights off when I was driving (still light out, around 7:00PM) and then turned them back on and bingo the gauge lights didn’t come on. I kept driving and about five minutes late they popped on. I’m no electrical genius but if the wiring was bad why would it come on at all? It’s almost like there is a sensor that is not working properly or something? I guess I can have the dealer look at it but I have the feeling that they will say that they weren’t able to duplicate the problem.

Just as a side note I found that I have the notorious door crack. I’m going to call my SVT dealer on Monday to see what they say. As far as I’ve heard on this site the recommended fix is to replace the whole door. I have a 6 yr 70k mile extended warranty.

I really appreciate the help but I just don’t have the Ballz to try to fix my light problem on my own.

Thank you,

Pete

 

No need specifically for a DVOM you can use a test light..

FordMasterTech

 

Hey maybe your auto lamps are comming on and u have the dash lights dimmed all the way down. may not be your problem but this is first thing I'd check Mike

 

Nope, that was the first thing I checked. I don't use the auto lights and the dimmer wheel is always at the highest setting.

Thanks for the help though