Fog and Instrument Cluster Lights ?

[jwibbity]

Well long story short i went out to start my car and i had no instrument cluster lights, the gauges dont light up either, my headlights and high beams still work but my foglights wont come on. The light on the headlight control panel thing wont light up either for the fogs. Checked all the fuses related to the lcm in the car and they were all fine. Any Ideas??? LCM Maybe???

[fastblackmerc]

Well long story short i went out to start my car and i had no instrument cluster lights, the gauges dont light up either, my headlights and high beams still work but my foglights wont come on. The light on the headlight control panel thing wont light up either for the fogs. Checked all the fuses related to the lcm in the car and they were all fine. Any Ideas??? LCM Maybe???

Usually the headlights don't work or they flash on and off if the LCM is bad. Could be just a bad bulb for the foglight indicator. It could be the LCM but I doubt it.

Check the following in the passenger compartment fuse box:

#6 (15A)
#18 (15A)
#21 (15A)
#23 (15A)

Check the following in the power distribution box under the hood and behind the battery:

#114 (30A)
#207 Foglamp relay

Let us know what you find.

[jwibbity]

yea all the fuses are fine, i seriously doubt all these bulbs went out at the same time

[fastblackmerc]

yea all the fuses are fine, i seriously doubt all these bulbs went out at the same time

Pull out the headlight switch and check if you have power at the following wires (with the headlights turned on):

Light Blue w/ Black stripe (foglamps)
Tan w/ Orange stripe (foglamp indicator lamp)
Brown w/ White stripe (instrument cluster illumination)

[jwibbity]

havent checked the headlight switch but i also notice my running brake lights dont work, but when i hit the brakes the do light up. my turn signals work but the dont stay on steady when the headlights are on, im about 90% sure its the lcm but i will check the headlight switch tonight, any tips on removal??

and here i thought the electrical systems on f/a18's were *****y, apparently not.............

[fastblackmerc]

LCM Removal:

The LCM is about the size of a brick and is located just to the right of the steering column, in front of the gas pedal.

There are 3 electrical connectors on the LCM.

Remove the bottom two connectors by depressing the tabs and pulling on the connectors.

Remove the 2 mounting screws with a 7mm nut driver or socket.

Push the LCM towards the gas pedal while rotating it up towards the roof. Once it’s free of the bracket, pull the back of the LCM down towards the floor.

You should now be able to release the last electrical connector.

Just reverse the steps for reinstallation.

What are you going to do with it after you get it out?

[jwibbity]

thanks but i was referring to the removal of the headlight switch, the lcm i have currently is one of the modded ones with the external relay from you actually, :help: me please

[jwibbity]

forgot to add shifter light is out also, I HATE MY LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!:mad2::mad2::m ad2:

[jwibbity]

bump for some help!!!!

[jwibbity]

PROBLEM SOLVED!!!!!! the #21 fuse when i pulled out the first time looked fine but there was a tiny burnt gap between it, always completely look over the fuses you are checking, shout out to fastblackmerc for the help.

[fastblackmerc]

thanks but i was referring to the removal of the headlight switch, the lcm i have currently is one the modded ones with the external relay from you actually, :help: me please

You can get the headlight switch out by removing the center trim to the left of the steering wheel, remove the 1 or 2 screws the secure the instrument cluster trim, carefully pull the instrument trim forward and push the headlight switch from behind. It should pop out.

Another thought....... you could have a bad multifunction switch.

[fastblackmerc]

PROBLEM SOLVED!!!!!! the #21 fuse when i pulled out the first time looked fine but there was a tiny burnt gap between it, always completely look over the fuses you are checking, shout out to fastblackmerc for the help.

Glad you found it.

I always do a visual check and check with a voltmeter or test light.

[jwibbity]

You can get the headlight switch out by removing the center trim to the left of the steering wheel, remove the 1 or 2 screws the secure the instrument cluster trim, carefully pull the instrument trim forward and push the headlight switch from behind. It should pop out.

Another thought....... you could have a bad multifunction switch.

i just used a flathead and straight up popped it out from the trim, :lol: oops

[fastblackmerc]

i just used a flathead and straight up popped it out from the trim, :lol: oops

Or you can remove it that way..... do so can sometimes damage the plastic.

[ncmm]

I was going to replace my instrument panel lights today since I was already pulling the radio. After removing the lower trim on the left and right of the steering wheel I unbolted the cluster trim. After I disconnected the headlight switch and dimmer the headlights came on! I plugged them back together so the headlights would go off and managed to swivel the trim onto the driver door as I removed the instrument cluster bolts and two plug ins. The LED's I put in didn't work well at all. I put some regular bulbs back in that I had never used and the dash lit up fine. Are there certain type LED's to use? The type I had were the same single LED's I used in my overhead, floor and glovebox.
Wondering if you had any thoughts fastblackmerc? thanks!

[BlackJack]

I did something similar yesterday but when the headlights came on I popped the headlight switch out of the upper dash trim and plugged it back in leaving it hanging while I messed with the instrument cluster. Sorry no advise on the LED's. My only thought is that the dimmer works with the instrument cluster and I'm not confident dimmers work with LEDs. Other lights are either on or off. :confused:

[fastblackmerc]

I did something similar yesterday but when the headlights came on I popped the headlight switch out of the upper dash trim and plugged it back in leaving it hanging while I messed with the instrument cluster. Sorry no advise on the LED's. My only thought is that the dimmer works with the instrument cluster and I'm not confident dimmers work with LEDs. Other lights are either on or off. :confused:

I installed green LEDs in my gauge pod and instrument cluster.... they are dim-able.

[fastblackmerc]

I was going to replace my instrument panel lights today since I was already pulling the radio. After removing the lower trim on the left and right of the steering wheel I unbolted the cluster trim. After I disconnected the headlight switch and dimmer the headlights came on! I plugged them back together so the headlights would go off and managed to swivel the trim onto the driver door as I removed the instrument cluster bolts and two plug ins. The LED's I put in didn't work well at all. I put some regular bulbs back in that I had never used and the dash lit up fine. Are there certain type LED's to use? The type I had were the same single LED's I used in my overhead, floor and glovebox.
Wondering if you had any thoughts fastblackmerc? thanks!

PM me a picture of the LEDs you used.

Show me yours and I'll show you mine!

[jwibbity]

if you disconnect the lcm before you disconnect the headlight switch, your healights and that stupid chime wont come on.

and yes contrary to popular belief the lcm can be fully disconnected without removing it, ask me how i know

[fastblackmerc]

if you disconnect the lcm before you disconnect the headlight switch, your healights and that stupid chime wont come on.

and yes contrary to popular belief the lcm can be fully disconnected without removing it, ask me how i know

Yes it can be.... but that top connector is a B***H!

[ncmm]

PM me a picture of the LEDs you used.

Show me yours and I'll show you mine!


pm sent
thanks!

[jwibbity]

i thought this problem was solved but apparently not, the 21 fuse keeps blowing, replaced it 3 times since the 14th, is it the lcm now??? or can i just throw a 20 or 25A fuse in its place???

[RF Overlord]

or can i just throw a 20 or 25A fuse in its place???Never up-size a fuse, except for controlled testing. Either take it to a shop experienced in electrical troubleshooting, or get a copy of the factory wiring manual and DIY.

[fastblackmerc]

i thought this problem was solved but apparently not, the 21 fuse keeps blowing, replaced it 3 times since the 14th, is it the lcm now??? or can i just throw a 20 or 25A fuse in its place???

I doubt it's the LCM.

Pull out the visors and check the wiring. It's been known to wear and short out.

As RF said.... NEVER NEVER NEVER use a bigger fuse than what the circuit is rated for. If you do you could burn your MM to the ground.

[jwibbity]

I doubt it's the LCM.

Pull out the visors and check the wiring. It's been known to wear and short out.

As RF said.... NEVER NEVER NEVER use a bigger fuse than what the circuit is rated for. If you do you could burn your MM to the ground.

are you talking about the mirror visors???? i really dont know:help::help:

[beantown mm]

That was just me posting randomly to the first thread I saw, sorry for the interuption, please resume regularly scheduled thread.

[jwibbity]

definitely made my night;);)

[beantown mm]

Didn't think you would mind, hahahaaha :D

[fastblackmerc]

are you talking about the mirror visors???? i really dont know:help::help:

Now what were we talking about????????


Yes. Remove the 3 screws that attach the visors to the roof and check the wire coming out of the end.

[jwibbity]

alright will do that this morning when i get a chance

[droppointalpha]

Wait.... where's the fuse box in the passenger compartment?

My owners manual only mentioned the engine bay box...

[fastblackmerc]

Wait.... where's the fuse box in the passenger compartment?

My owners manual only mentioned the engine bay box...

:eek::eek: Are you serious? :eek::eek:

I guess you didn't read pages 145, 146, 147 & 148...... :shake::shake::shake:

BTW.... the under the hood box is called a Power Distribution Box.....

[droppointalpha]

Well, to be truthful, the only time I went hunting for fuses was due to a tag light out so I'll be honest and say I didn't read the whole manual.

But being used to my Buick Century (early 90s), I was accustomed to light/interior fuses/relays on the interior box and engine related stuff in the engine bay. So when it seemed everything was in the engine bay, I didn't read further for another fuse box...

Yep... I'll own up to that moment of full retard.

[IwantmyMMnow!]

jwibbity,

Sounds like you're going through something similar to what I had happen to me. My brake lights quit working about two months ago; turned out to be a blown fuse.

Fast-forward to last weekend; brake lights quit working again. The fuse had blown again and when I tried to put in another fuse, 'POP'! Took it to dealership...chaffed wire under the dash. Got lucky and only cost me $98 for diagnostic/fix action. Since you've had several fuses blow, I would tend to lean towards a chaffed wire or something along those lines.

Hope this helps; if not, good luck trying to find/fix your problem.

[jwibbity]

are the visors the only place the wires could be rubbing, im gonna check tomorrow, ran out of time today plus i have a PFT in the morning, just wondering while im looking at wires, what other places could this issue be???

[jwibbity]

sorry for the long wait on the update but i just notcied that the fuse only blows when i turn left and am on mid to heavy throttle

[bugsyc]

that same fuse get blowing on me.After tracing wires from front to back,it turned out to be a shorted brake light harness in the trunk..

[jwibbity]

i do have another brake light harness also that i got with a new tailight i bought, ill swap that out tomorrow to see