A few nights ago, the Instrument Panel lights turned off while I was driving at night. I hit the dimmer switch and they came back on. The lights kept shutting off and I kept playing with the dimmer to get the to come back on. Now, the dimmer switch has no effect, and the lights would come back on sometimes with a hard shift, like there is a bad connection somewhere. As of tonight, they will not come on at all.

Kinda sucks not knowing how fast I'm going at night, wondering if anybody knows what this could be. I don't think it's a fuse, and everything else is functioning properly on the car. It's an 02 SE 6mt, with 50k miles. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Sounds like your dimmer switch connector is loose. Were you working on your dash lights recently?

I wouldn't suggest prying the switch out, that could leave scratch marks. Go ahead and remove your steering wheel cover, then unscrew the two bolts that hold in the black covering for the dash. Pull it out towards you, and check the connection behind the switch with your hand. If it's loose, push it in and make sure it snaps into place. If the connector is fine, you may want to take the black dash covering off further to check for any corrosion or damaged wires. Hope this helps.

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Also I should ask, is it just your dash lights that are malfunctioning? The dimmer switch controls the auto shifter light (if you have an auto tranny), and the backlights on the AC controls. If all of those went too, then it's probably a connection issue with the switch. If it's just your dash, you may want to check behind your gauge cluster to make sure none of that wiring is damaged.

 

Thanks dude, sounds accurate. And, yes it is the a/c, and radio illumination as well.

 

Im in the middle of attempting to repair mine.I bought a new CCFL LCD backlight tube from CCFL warehouse but I found a burned component on the circuit board but I dont know what it is

http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...ht-repair.html

 

Dang, I hope that's not the case with mine. The dimmer switch is connected fine. memphis baller, were the rest of your lights on the A/C and radio affected as well?

 

Try a new dimmer switch...

 

I'm gonna go through the fuses tomorrow, and call the dealership to find out a price on the dimmer switch anyway.

 

check the classifieds here, it'll likely be way cheaper than the stealership

 

Ok so every fuse on the car is intact, and the Dimmer switch is not getting any power when I turn the lights on. Any other ideas?

 

The dimmer should have constant power IIRC. How do you know it's not getting power.

 

I used a test light and probed the 3 wire connector on back of the switch. Isn't that how you would check? Assuming the dimmer switch operates off of 12 volts...?

 

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/maxima/2002/EL.pdf

Start on Page #86
Looks like the dimmer is referred to as 'illumination control switch'

As far as your direct problem, you say that everything else in the car works, Audio unit, Window switches, etc? They all light up?

If it's JUST the Dash Cluster lights that aren't working anymore, then it's probably NOT the dimmer switch. And if you don't have power going into the dimmer switch (Terminal #1), then NONE of your interior lights would be working right now.

2L Is labled on the diagram as the fuse for the Cluster illumination. That is a dedicated fuse for ONLY the gauge cluster Illumination, from what I see.

Check for power on both sides of that fuse with your test light. Not just the visual inspection of a fuse, probe both sides while the fuse is plugged in and headlights are turned on.

 

it's not just the dash lights, but the radio and a/c lights as well. Basically everything that is controlled by the illumination switch.

 

in which panel this fuse be? Im in the car once again probed everything, with no luck. It is also the ash tray light.

 

If it's all the lights then check the Tail light relay for power.

Easier, check if you have tailights/brake lights

 

OK!!!!! First off I appreciate the help from ya'll. It was the Tail Lamps fuse. After deciding to probe all the fuses in the car for the 5th time I hit the 10 amp fuse a few times and it stopped lighting up the test light. Apparently it was the fuse I "ghetto rigged" with a strand of wire after blowing it while messing with the side markers. Crazy part is the tail lights were working, even while the dash wasn't! I'm not sure, maybe Nissan's wiring prioritizes the current to send to the tail lights in case of a short or low voltage or something?!?!?

Anyways I appreciate the help, Thanks again.

 

nice to hear it is fixed!