I have a set of shop manuals, but no electrical diagrams. The problem is no panel lights on a 1998 F150. Headlights are OK. Interior lights are OK. No instrument panel or heater/ac panel lights. Radio is an add-on and does have a working backlight.

My first guess is fuse, but which one? Fuse 2 for the instrument panel looks good. My next choice is the dimmer, since I remember using it just before the lights went out, but it was daylight at the time.

Anyone with experience with this? Any help is very appreciated.

 

Fuse #2 is for the cluster power itself, not the illumination.

looks to be cab fuse panel, fuse #18 that powers the Instrument Illumination.

If the aftermarket radio was installed using the same instrument illumination, at least part of the dimmer switch is working.

Are the lights functioning in :
1. Ash tray
2. Steering wheel ( cruise control switches )
3. Power window or door lock switches
4. 4WD mode switch ( if installed )

If you pull the main headlamp switch, you can test for power out of the dimmer switch.
The smaller connector is the one to test, you are looking for a Light Blue w/ Red stripe wire, should be pin # 6. Pin #3 is the Light Blue w/ Black stripe wire, this is the instrument illumination to the radio.

The main headlamp switch is held in with 3 spring clips. 1 on the Top ( towards the right ), 1 on the left side and 1 on the bottom ( about center ).

 

Thanks for the reply. I'll check that fuse.
The ashtray just happens to be missing and the windows and door locks are manual. It's a bare bones truck.
The 4x4 indicator does light when in 4wd as well as all indicator lights that light briefly when the starter is engaged and the cruise control does function.
I'm not sure that the radio was installed with the dimmer feeding the backlight.
I found a replacement headlight switch on the internet for $90+.....WOW!
Thanks again.

 

Not do those things work, does the illumination for those items work ?

 

Well, there are no lights on the steering wheel for the cruise control and the transfer case shifter is on the floor. This truck is as manual as it can get.
I'll check the other fuse and maybe all the fuses tomorrow.

There's no interior illumination at all, except for the radio. The dome light does come on when the dimmer is all the way bright and I hear a relay click when it does.

Thanks for the reply.

 

All the fuses check out, so it's time to pull the headlight switch. Interesting scenario to accomplish this. I'll let you know what I find.

BTW, I saw your location. I grew up in the flight path of MDW 31.

Thanks for the info.

 

It looks like the Headlamps on warning chime isn't working. I'm guessing that it's related to the panel lights. Would that help in troubleshooting this problem?

 

What were the results from pulling and testing the switch ?

 

Pulling the switch is on the agenda for tomorrow.

 

Hey guys i got the same problem in my 02 xlt 2wd, the only lights that work inside are the window button lights and the in cab light, other than that everything else is out, ive tried every fuse, what else could it be?

 

Watch this space. I'm going to pull and test the headlight switch tomorrow. I'll post the results here.

 

ok thanks man let me know how it goes

 

i had a guy tell me it was the radio, and how it was hooked up, how do i know if the headlight switch is broke and i need a new one?

 

Burnt out bulbs.

 

Pulled the switch. Some interesting ingenuity there, pull the **** and replace it upside down. Very cool.

Anyway, there was zero volts at the LtBlu-Blk. I can only guess that I had a good ground for reference. Where do you find a ground around all that plastic?

Once I saw that there 's an integrated circuit and a transistor involved I resigned that it's the switch.

I found a new OEM switch for less than $60, and it's in the mail.

Just for my sanity, would you reply with the designations of the wiring...

Pin 1 Blue/Orange
Pin 2 Red/Yellow
Pin 3 LtBlu/Red
Pin 4 Black
Pin 5 Yellow
Pin 6 LtBlu/Blk

Thanks for all your time.