i have a 96 ford f150. the instrument panel lights do not come on and niether do the lights to back light the a/c controls. i checked all fuses and they are ok. any suggestions.

 

I know it sounds silly, but what about the bulbs? Just had to have replaced 5 out of 6 in the wifes Escort dash replaced. Another thing could be a short or loose connection. Unfortunately if it's like the Escort or my TBird, you have to pull the dash to get to it.

One additional thing, if it came on all at once, I would suspect a short or connection.

Good Luck

 

The Instrument Panel lights have their own circuit out of the Headlight Switch. This is because they have the dash dimmer control in series with them (also in the Headlight Switch!).
You might want to try fiddling with the dash dimmer at night, and see if you can find one spot on the control that the dash lights will come on at all. If you do, then there's no doubt at all that the rheostat in the switch has gone bad. New Headlight Switch needed then. If you can't get them on at all, it could still be the switch, or the fuse between the switch and the dash lights, wiring connector problems, etc.

If you need to get at the Headlight Switch, you will have to remove that upper panel, after the lower panel has been removed. Screws on bottom of dash, Probably a screw under each horizontal trim dress-up bar about mid-way up the dash. (I think you need to get those off first before the speedo surround, not sure from memory!) To get **** off of the switch, turn the **** so you can look in the side with drivers door open, to see the little grabby clip that you will need to push with an awl or small screwdriver.
Good Luck!

[This message has been edited by Granpa (edited 04-07-2000).]