Dash illumination fuse keeps blowing.

[dirtydirtyharry]

More niggles [&:]

Ive recently ordered some new dash lights as the gauges dont light up at night (at all). The seat belt warning symbol and the green indicator arrows do work however.

I replaced blown fuse no. 38 (It is a 1986 model) which is labelled "Instrument illumination". As soon as I popped the headlights up (to trigger the interior lights to switch on) the fuse blew again.

It means driving at night is quite gloomy to say the least.

I have searched this forum and googled with very limited joy. Does anyone with a good knowledge of 944 electrics have an idea where to start??

Some people seem to suggest checking the aftermarket stereo but this isnt tied in to the same fuse so I dont see that it could be that??

(I gather that the pre 1985 models have a few components like glove box light and ashtray linked to the same fuse as the dials but mine is a 1986 model)

Thanks!

 

[bighead]

I think its a job for the car electrician, as you must have a short somewhere....so when you get the dash instrutement bulbs dont fit them until the problem is sorted or you might blow the new bulbs

 

[dirtydirtyharry]

Update:

The fuse blows when i turn the dial to adjust the instrument brightness. The dials do not light at all.

I will have to take the instrument housing out and inspect the brightness dial switch when i get time.

I really dont want to take it to a car electrician like [&:]. The risk of falsely increased labour time and them breaking/damaging the trim as they try and gain access to things []

 

[lacedr]

hi
had the same problem with mine it was the dimmer switch
dave

 

[dirtydirtyharry]

ORIGINAL: lacedr

hi
had the same problem with mine it was the dimmer switch
dave

How did you sort it Dave, just replace it? Or was it a poor connection?

 

[lacedr]

sorry should have said, i replaced the dimmer switch with a good second hand one.
when i pulled the old one out it did smell very burnt.
just be careful when you take the plastic trim off its easy to break and yes i did break my plastic trim.
Dave

 

[dirtydirtyharry]

Thanks for that Dave. Hopefully it will be the same problem. I really don't fancy having to search for a short somewhere.[&:]

 

[dirtydirtyharry]

Managed to remove the switch (Unfortunately the clip has already been broken and it would seem that someone has tried to glue the switch in using superglue. It looks pretty battered like.

Hopefully a new one will sort the dash lights out and the blown fuses.