Dash and Rear Lights Don't Work!

Discussion and technical advice for 84-89 AW10 & AW11 MR2. 3A-LU, 4A-GE, 4A-GZE.

Moderators: IMOC Moderators, IMOC Committee Members

Post Reply
Retro_Boy_G
Posts: 199
Joined: Sun Feb 07, 2010 11:58 am
Location: Glasgow
Contact:

Dash and Rear Lights Don't Work!

Post by Retro_Boy_G »

Hey guys,

Need a bit of help.. I only noticed it last night so haven't checked the fuses yet but for some reason my dashboard doesn't light up now and neither do the back lights.. brake lights, reverse and fog work fine though as do the front lights and hazards.

This EXACT same thing happened to my old MX5 just as I sold it but I just mentioned it on my listing and sold it as it was..

Has anyone else experienced this problem and if it is a fuse, do you know which one as I didn't seem to see one for lights and dash.

Any help would be appreciated!
SuperRedMR2
Posts: 5494
Joined: Mon May 16, 2005 8:40 pm
Location: Wickford, Essex

Re: Dash and Rear Lights Don't Work!

Post by SuperRedMR2 »

my dash lights go out from time to time but whatever happens doesnt effect my front or rear lights.
Tiamat
IMOC Moderator
Posts: 10179
Joined: Mon Jan 24, 2005 2:02 pm
Location: Hailsham, East Sussex

Re: Dash and Rear Lights Don't Work!

Post by Tiamat »

if your dash lights go out, push hard on the light switch, push it in as if you pushing in to do the lock up. One quick push really and the lights should then come back on the dash.

As for rear lights, not sure..
I am going to live forever, or die trying!
SuperRedMR2
Posts: 5494
Joined: Mon May 16, 2005 8:40 pm
Location: Wickford, Essex

Re: Dash and Rear Lights Don't Work!

Post by SuperRedMR2 »

ive found whacking the dashboard brings them back on
Tiamat
IMOC Moderator
Posts: 10179
Joined: Mon Jan 24, 2005 2:02 pm
Location: Hailsham, East Sussex

Re: Dash and Rear Lights Don't Work!

Post by Tiamat »

SuperRedMR2 wrote:ive found whacking the dashboard brings them back on


Just on the switch, on the main body of it with base of palm is sufficient, the dash banging doesn't work everytime. 4 years of it brings knowledge LOL
I am going to live forever, or die trying!
jimi
Posts: 2154
Joined: Tue Dec 14, 2004 10:27 am
Location: Kingdom of Fife
Contact:

Re: Dash and Rear Lights Don't Work!

Post by jimi »

:shock: You've put up with it for 4 years ? :-k would it not be easier just to repair it ?
Best case, resolder the joints on the switch (dry solder joints are a common cause of the fault on the MK1)
Worst case, replace the switch
either way an easy fix :wink:
Tiamat
IMOC Moderator
Posts: 10179
Joined: Mon Jan 24, 2005 2:02 pm
Location: Hailsham, East Sussex

Re: Dash and Rear Lights Don't Work!

Post by Tiamat »

jimi wrote::shock: You've put up with it for 4 years ? :-k would it not be easier just to repair it ?
Best case, resolder the joints on the switch (dry solder joints are a common cause of the fault on the MK1)
Worst case, replace the switch
either way an easy fix :wink:


Why go through the hassle of removing my dashboard, puschasing another switch, or dismantling one. Especially when my car is used every day for work, when a smack to the dash once every two weeks or so solves the problem. Mine is the easier fix! :thumleft: Granted I do want to get it done eventually, but its so low down on the list of priorities thats its not even in sight.
I am going to live forever, or die trying!
SuperRedMR2
Posts: 5494
Joined: Mon May 16, 2005 8:40 pm
Location: Wickford, Essex

Re: Dash and Rear Lights Don't Work!

Post by SuperRedMR2 »

yeah i agree with tiamat, taking the dash apart really isnt my highest priority lol i'm sure i'll do it sometime, but as its summer i havent had the lights on and havent driven at night recently either.
Karl_T
Posts: 871
Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2005 6:52 pm
Location: Wiltshire

Re: Dash and Rear Lights Don't Work!

Post by Karl_T »

jimi wrote::shock: You've put up with it for 4 years ? :-k would it not be easier just to repair it ?


Have you met Malcolm? :lol: Thumping it is so much more 'him'.

Karl_T
Red ones go faster......
kevin..in
Posts: 3412
Joined: Tue Aug 23, 2005 10:26 am
Location: stoke on trent

Re: Dash and Rear Lights Don't Work!

Post by kevin..in »

Ok clock and tail lights, aren't they on the same fuse behind one of the kick panels at the base of the A pillar
I had this problem a few years ago and it turned out to be one of the terminals in the block connector behind the passenger kick panel had backed out of the block, pushed it back in and all was fine again
Tiamat
IMOC Moderator
Posts: 10179
Joined: Mon Jan 24, 2005 2:02 pm
Location: Hailsham, East Sussex

Re: Dash and Rear Lights Don't Work!

Post by Tiamat »

Karl_T wrote:
jimi wrote::shock: You've put up with it for 4 years ? :-k would it not be easier just to repair it ?


Have you met Malcolm? :lol: Thumping it is so much more 'him'.

Karl_T


Says Karl "Grinder" T...... :oldtongue:
I am going to live forever, or die trying!
Retro_Boy_G
Posts: 199
Joined: Sun Feb 07, 2010 11:58 am
Location: Glasgow
Contact:

Re: Dash and Rear Lights Don't Work!

Post by Retro_Boy_G »

Hey!

Sorry, for some reason I have been getting no notifications of replies to this thread..

I managed to sort it this morning.. turns out my buddy had completely removed the fuse for it when we were tinkering with another car that needed a 15amp!

Thanks anyways :)
Gianni
Post Reply

Return to “MR2 MK1 1984-1989 NA & SC”