Can't get dash cluster lights to work

[SargeW]

So I have been doing some various repairs/upgrades on my 2001 TJ Sport. I have had it about 6 months but I never had much of a reason to drive at night, so I am not sure when they stopped working, but I do believe they did when I first got it. I have checked all the fuses several times, and even changed some just in case. Turning the headlights on does not cause them to go on, but I noted that the odometer readout will come on and dim if I turn the dimmer on the turn signal stalk.

I am looking for other ideas to try, as now it's winter and getting dark so early, it would be nice to see the cluster lit up. A bit more info, a previous owner had switched out the tail lights to some round LED lights that do work with the switch. The turn signals did a very rapid flash, so I picked up a new flasher designed for LED's and that fixed the rapid flash issues. I also changed out stock fenders for some flat fenders that had LED running lights built in the edge. They also come on with the lights, but kind of "blink" very lightly when turned on. Not sure if that means anything or not. Also added a new radio and a CB, both wired into the fuse box behind the glove box. To make sure they were not effecting anything I disconnected them both and retested, with no change.

Any ideas I am missing here?

 

[ScottyD]

Well just from things I have experienced…

I would pull the cluster and clean the connections and check the lights… they could be burned out…

It’s pretty easy to pull the cluster

I have had to replace some bulbs and adjust the pins

Also it might be related to your headlight switch - had to replace that once also

 

[SargeW]

Thanks for the reply. Has anyone posted a "how to" on the dash cluster?

 

[ScottyD]

Thanks for the reply. Has anyone posted a "how to" on the dash cluster?

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=wrangler+tj+removing+dash+cluster&t=iphone&iax=videos&ia=videos&iai=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aNoEEkHL1w

Thanks for the reply. Has anyone posted a "how to" on the dash cluster?

 

[TNHEADDUCK]

When you installed the new radio did the problem start? there is a orange/black wire that controls the circuit for the dash and console lights, I would ck there first.

 

[Robgil]

Check your multi-function switch in your column

 

[SargeW]

Thanks for the reply's. But I think I solved it by pulling the dash cluster 3 times, cleaning contacts (which all looked clean and shiny) scraping them and applying dielectric grease to all of the contacts. At first they were intermittent, then after pulling the cluster again and rechecking all the wires in and out, and pulling and reseating the the connectors with more dielectric grease they started working every time! At least for now......