99 Nissan Maxima SEL

Just recently, my dial gauges in my instrument control panel have stopped lighting up when I turn my headlights on. Oddly enough, the same thing is true of the backlight in the stereo and automatic climate controls. In each, neither the display panel nor the buttons light up when the headlights are on. But, they all work when the headlights are off.

I've checked all of the other lights in the interior and exterior of the car, and they all work properly. The guages theselves all still work right. There hasn't been any work done to the car recently, and as far as I know, no one has ever disassebled the dash. The only thing that I think may have cause the problem was a recent lightning strike near my house.

I've already checked Fuse 13 and it looks fine. Even tried putting a new one in and no dice. I've also looked at all the other fuses that looked like they might be related and they all look good.

I thought it could be a burned out bulb, but why would one bulb take out the rest of the dial lights and the A/C and stereo display lights?

Any ideas on what could be wrong, or what I should do next to diagnose the problem?

Thanks!

 

This may seem stupid, but don't take it as an insult. Have you checked the dimmer adjust? This is the **** on the dash, just to the right of the steering wheel. Turn it to the right to make sure the lights aren't turned all the way down.

 

heh odd you own the same car with the same color and you live like 15 minutes away from me Only difference is that my all my interior lighting works

 

there's a blown fuse somewhere.. check underneath the hood as well.

 

<sigh> Benson, thank you. You just saved me from pulling my dash apart! I spent hours reading through the forum and the Haynes manual, and it was just the dimmer switch. Apparently the car wash place must have accidently turned it down to 'off' when they were wiping down the interior.

So, anyway, problem solved.

PS - Thank you for being kind while you pointed out the easy solution I was missing!

 

it happens to the best of us.

 

Embarassing as hell to admit, but I would check this as well...

 

At least yours work now, mine still don't. And it isn't the dimmer switch.

 

Sorry to bring up an old thread but I am also having the same problem. My ACC button lights don't light up anymore. None of them do. Also I noticed when I turn on my headlights the ACC display does not dim anymore. I've checked the wiring behind the unit and found no loose wires. Anyone have any solutions? Also checked the dimmer switched and fuses.

 

anyone?! =]

 

hello i just bought 2001 nissan maxima and the a.c buttons and climate control dont turn on. the weird thing is 2 turn on and the rest dont. at night i have to turn the dome light on to look at climate control, its really frustrating and not save at all. someone please get back to me
thanks
doyle21

 

Yea I know this thread is from last year but I am having the same problems as you doyle. By any chance did u fix this?