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Instrument panels wont illuminate

Big_Fudge

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hey guys,

Just bought a VT about a week ago, with some gremlins. The entire centre console does not illuminate when driving with the headlights on. This includes the auto gear shifter, and the AC planel, the hazard light button etc. The guages (tach, speedo, and fuel) do work and so do the green/yellow light within the button for the AC and rear demister when activated. The previous owner had no idea what he was doing when installing a head unit, as it has no constant pwr, and switches modes when the headlights are turned on and off. Would the headunit wiring affect the all the other lighting?
I've checked the fuses and they seem ok. Can anyone suggest a good starting point, or give me some insight to whats wrong??

I can provide pics if required.

Located in western sydney.
 

accentstencil

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Do your parking lights work? If not then I suggest you re-check the fuse marked "instrument illumination/park lights", top left fuse.
 

Big_Fudge

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Thanks but, the Parking lights work fine.
 

lout

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as you have just bought the car i would suggest multiple blown globes
 

VX Exec

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Rip out the head unit, see what he's wired up and work from there.
 

CONROD

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With the lights on, can you adjust the brightness of the instruments with the dimmer switch. Try this hold it to full brightness and release the dimmer switch with a flick. Had an issue once in a VY and it turned out to be the switch
 

Nut Kracker

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hey guys,

Just bought a VT about a week ago, with some gremlins. The entire centre console does not illuminate when driving with the headlights on. This includes the auto gear shifter, and the AC planel, the hazard light button etc. The guages (tach, speedo, and fuel) do work and so do the green/yellow light within the button for the AC and rear demister when activated. The previous owner had no idea what he was doing when installing a head unit, as it has no constant pwr, and switches modes when the headlights are turned on and off. Would the headunit wiring affect the all the other lighting?
I've checked the fuses and they seem ok. Can anyone suggest a good starting point, or give me some insight to whats wrong??

I can provide pics if required.

Located in western sydney.
Just wondering if he has wired up the complete power for the H/U to the dash/instrument illumination wire.
As said above, rip out the H/U and see how he wired it.
 

WHCapriceHBD

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I'd take the head unit out and see WTF the previous owner has done in there.

A housemate I knew wired a head unit in with no constant power- just accessory power. And he did it with masking tape and twisting of wires together. The constant power wire was connected to the dash illumination light circuit instead...

Sounds a lot like you've bought a car off my old housemate........
 
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