I've done countless searches on my problem and was wondering if anyone can give me some insight on what could be wrong..

My problem is that I have lost the illumination lights for my AC/heating unit, all dash buttons, speedometer illumination, cigarette lighter light illumination, clock does not dim, mainly all console and dash lights when I turn on my headlights.

This happen after I installed my new headunit. I rewired all the speakers, so I did not use the bose speaker wire harness, but I had to tap in the main deck power harness for constant & ign. power, ground and antenna etc. I did not use the two orange wires for dimmer and illumination. Those have been taped up. I have also installed my reverse indiglo gauges at this time. The indiglo wires are tapped into the cigarette lighter light wires for power and ground. After this my dash and console lights did not work and my tail lights
(brake lights) only work when I tapped on the brakes.

I have done a search on the Org and have tried changing the fuses for the tail lamps, checked all the fuses in the dash panels and in the engine bay, changed the TCU (timer control unit), dimmer switch, bridged the dimmer switch, check to make sure tail lamp lights are working, remove my new headunit, unplugged the reverse indiglos, removed fuse box to look in the back to see if any wires have been burnt and still the console and dash lights would not come on.

When the console and dash lights went out first, I could take my reverse indiglo wires, tapped them into the cig. lighter wires (not cig. lighter light wire) and the dash and console lights would come on. Now when I do that nothing comes on.

I can't think of anything else to do besides taking it to the dealer. Does anyone have any insights on what might be wrong? Any help is appreciated.

Thanks

BTW I have a 93 SE.

 

n/m

 

thats weird that you have searched and come up with nothin' Anyways have you tried checkin' a small white box under you dash to the left of your steerin' wheel column thats in front of the anti-theft box??? If you check that little white box take out the thing thats inside of it and it might be burned. If thats burned then thats your problem. You can get this part at a local junkyard. This part is called the TCU (Time Control Unit). Hope that helps man.

Good luck,
Rick

 

I mentioned that I searched the Org and have tried all the solutions but I still have the problem. I have already changed the TCU. Any other ideas..?

 

Since you've admitted doing some wire work, then here is what you need to do. Trace all your wires, check everything. Turn the headlights on and "wiggle things" and see if anything makes them come one. Remember, this is as basic as it gets! I found my problem originated with a little box found behind the alarm brain beneath the steering column. remove the carpeted trim peice beneath the steering wheel. It's a little to the left. I found that the harness plug to this box was loose. I found it by "jiggling it" (technical terms only used here!). I cleaned it and replugged it firmly, no more missing dash lights! I wonder if when you turn your rear defogger on, turn on your lights, the rear defogger goes off doesn't it? Check the little box behind the alarm!

 

n/m

 

Actually that box is the TCU, ehich I already replaced. Hmm..back to the drawing board and maybe to dealer next week.

 

I got the car back from the dealer this afternoon and the mysterious problem was fixed. Of all the things it was the headlight switch. I was puzzle at first when they told me this becuase I could still turn on the headlights with the old switch but it would not turn on my interior illumination. They told me that the part inside that turn on my headlights was still working but the illumination connector inside was "broke". Anyways everything is back to normal now. So I just wanted to update this thread for future reference if anybody has the same problem and went thru all the diagnostics I did without a fix. BTW, the dealer charged $60 for labor and $79 for the switch when I have taken out and put in that switch under 15 minutes. Gripes