rick45
Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 4

instrument cluster no illumination

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I have a 2001 F150 Lightning. For about 4 years now I have had no illumination with the instrument cluster. Cigarette lighter also has no power. Have checked fuses, switch, and pulled out cluster to check bulbs and circuit board. Still no solution. Does anyone know what the problem is or have a solution? Thanks! Register today or sign-in to remove these ads!







#2 03-22-2010, 04:20 PM
SSCULLY
Technical Article Contributor Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Under the flightpath of ORD 22R
Vehicle: 2006 FORD F150
Posts: 7,240

How did you check the switch ?

The fuse for the cigar lighter would be the 1st place to look, check with a meter on both sides of the fuse while the fuse is installed in the fuse panel, to verify that the fuse is good.
The next place to check the cigar lighter is at the back of the plug, to make sure it is not a socket issue.


#3 03-22-2010, 05:13 PM
rick45
Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 4

I checked the switch with a test light. The test light came on when touched to the brown/white wire and blue/orange wire on the big connection. The test light never came on when touched to any wires on the small connection.


#4 03-22-2010, 05:40 PM
SSCULLY
Technical Article Contributor Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Under the flightpath of ORD 22R
Vehicle: 2006 FORD F150
Posts: 7,240

Not sure what that was testing, those color codes have nothing to do with the instrument illumination.

Start with checking the power to the dimmer switch, this is the Dark Blue w/ White stripe wire, from fuse # 18 in the CJB ( aka Central Junction Box / Cab fuse panel ).

If you do not have power on this wire, you need to check the fuse with the meter on both sides of the fuse while the fuse is in the fuse panel ( the metal pins on the back of the fuse ).

Next try jumpering the Dark Blue w/ white stripe wire to the Light Blue w/ Red stripe wire. This is bypassing the dimer switch, and the instrument illumination will work ( pending you got a pass on the test above ).

If this works, next is to test the switch itself. This would be using an Ohm meter, and on the pins for the Dark Blue w/ White Stripe wire and the Light Blue w/ Red stripe wire. As you turn the dial up, you should get a change in the resistance. The higher resistance will be with the dial rotated down, with less resistance at the top of the rotation.


#5 03-22-2010, 06:58 PM
rick45
Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 4

I did the following: Start with checking the power to the dimmer switch, this is the Dark Blue w/ White stripe wire, from fuse # 18 in the CJB ( aka Central Junction Box / Cab fuse panel ).

No power from fuse box nor power to the dark blue w/white stripe wire at the switch.

The cigarette lighter fuse has power.


#6 03-22-2010, 09:34 PM
SSCULLY
Technical Article Contributor Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Under the flightpath of ORD 22R
Vehicle: 2006 FORD F150
Posts: 7,240

Quote:
Originally Posted by rick45
I did the following: Start with checking the power to the dimmer switch, this is the Dark Blue w/ White stripe wire, from fuse # 18 in the CJB ( aka Central Junction Box / Cab fuse panel ).

No power from fuse box nor power to the dark blue w/white stripe wire at the switch.

Did you test the fuse with a meter ? If you do not have power on the Dark Blue w/ white stripe wire, CJB Fuse #18 is blown, needs to be replaced.


Quote:
Originally Posted by rick45
The cigarette lighter fuse has power.

If it has power on both sides of the fuse, then you need to continue checking at the back of the cigar lighter for power.


#7 Today, 09:53 PM
rick45
Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 4

instrument cluster

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There is no power on the fuse nor to that fuse outlet. Replaced fuse, still no power. Checked both sides of outlet without fuse, no power either???