Dashboard lights not working -

On 2 Feb 2005 01:26:08 -0800, lavenders19.DeleteThis@yahoo.com (Shabs) wrote:

 >Anyone know or had problems with dashboard lights not working. The
 >dashboard lights i am referring to are the ones that come on when you
 >turn on either dim or head lights. The first time I thought a fuse
 >had gone so i got to the fusebox behind the glovebox and they started
 >working again. I did not change the fuse. Now when the lights go off
 >I find that if i hit the glove box hard when it is closed, i can get
 >them to work again, but I shouldn't be doing this and wondered how i
 >can sort the problem out. As the fuse isn't blown (it's the fuse on
 >the top row, 3rd from the left) do i have some loose or broken wires
 >somewhere? If so any ideas.
 >
 >Any help would be greatly appreciated thanks

It sounds like a loose or broken connection - when you checked the
fuse, you must have moved some wires or components such as the fuse
holder etc. and it worked again. Thumping the glove box making them
work points absolutely to a POOR JOINT, LOOSE CONNECTION or BROKEN
WIRE.

I suggest you check the wiring in the fuse box.. Wiggle them whilst
someone is watching the lamps. Also check that the connections inside
the fuse socket are making GOOD contact with the fuse. Dirt, corrosion
or even tarnish could give the symptoms. Check the grounding of the
circuit.

Hope that helps
--
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 >> Stay informed about: Dashboard lights not working - 

On 02 Feb 2005 23:55:44 GMT, gcookeng RemoveThis @cs.com (GCOOKENG) wrote:

  >>Anyone know or had problems with dashboard lights not working. The
  >>dashboard lights i am referring to are the ones that come on when you
  >>turn on either dim or head lights.
 >
 >My 2001 Focus Wagon did that.in 2003. I took it to the dealer. Thankfully I
 >had an extended warranty. They replaced a "large" portion of the dash wiring
 >harness. On New Years Eve 2004, my headlight switch area began SMOKING with a
 >pungent burning smell. Again I took it to the dealer, This time it took over 2
 >weeks to again replace part of the lighting wiring and switches. They indicated
 >that actual hours charged by the tech was more than12. I don't know what the
 >parts cost was.
 >I traded the car in last week
 >G

Interesting story but did it really help the guy with his
problematical dash lights?

--
Donald Gray
Putting ODCOMBE on the Global Village Map!
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.odcombe.demon.co.uk" target="_blank">www.odcombe.demon.co.uk</a>
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 >> Stay informed about: Dashboard lights not working - 

"Shabs" <lavenders19 DeleteThis @yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:c6319047.0502020126.10ea2cd5@posting.google.com...
 > Anyone know or had problems with dashboard lights not working. The
 > dashboard lights i am referring to are the ones that come on when you
 > turn on either dim or head lights. The first time I thought a fuse
 > had gone so i got to the fusebox behind the glovebox and they started
 > working again. I did not change the fuse. Now when the lights go off
 > I find that if i hit the glove box hard when it is closed, i can get
 > them to work again,

I presume you have a right-hand drive car because over here the fuse box is
in front of the driver. I would look for a loose fuse/bent or damaged fuse
holder or maybe some debris in the fuse holder that is interfering with the
current.

I had much the same problem with my Chrysler van and wiggling the fuse
around fixed it. You can also gently distort the fuse ends with pliers to
increase the bite into the holder.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Dashboard lights not working - 

I would not mess with it, and possibly make it worse, electrical problems
can get very expensive. You did not say what year Focus it was. The early
U.S. Focus had problems with the light switch.

"Shabs" <lavenders19 DeleteThis @yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:c6319047.0502020126.10ea2cd5@posting.google.com...
Anyone know or had problems with dashboard lights not working. The
dashboard lights i am referring to are the ones that come on when you
turn on either dim or head lights. The first time I thought a fuse
had gone so i got to the fusebox behind the glovebox and they started
working again. I did not change the fuse. Now when the lights go off
I find that if i hit the glove box hard when it is closed, i can get
them to work again, but I shouldn't be doing this and wondered how i
can sort the problem out. As the fuse isn't blown (it's the fuse on
the top row, 3rd from the left) do i have some loose or broken wires
somewhere? If so any ideas.

Any help would be greatly appreciated thanks
 >> Stay informed about: Dashboard lights not working - 

On Sat, 05 Feb 2005 22:20:59 GMT, "Waste" <wastertime.RemoveThis@hotmail.com>
wrote:

 >I would not mess with it, and possibly make it worse, electrical problems
 >can get very expensive. You did not say what year Focus it was. The early
 >U.S. Focus had problems with the light switch.
 >

You may not mess with it and prefer to spend your money BUT the
symptoms indicate a simple loose connection. This type of fault can
often be fixed inside a few minutes and no parts required - I hardly
think that the situation can be mad worse by a simple investigation
and 'wiggling' a few wires in/near the fuse box in attempt to identify
the fault.

Lets say it is a loose fuse holder connection. 60 seconds to fix at a
cost of nothing!

Maybe you can afford to pay the charges the auto electricians charge.
I don't know the costs of labour in the USA for that sort of job but
here in the UK it would probably cost a minimum of £40 (US$60) and
probably a lot more.

If you were to read Shabs original post, you will comprehend that the
problem has nothing to do with the light switch....

However, if you wouldn't mess with reading the posts correctly (in
case you make it worse)I will happily read them for you. I only charge
$50 per half hour with a minimum charge of 1 hour...


Geeee... I do feel liverish tonight!




 >"Shabs" <lavenders19.RemoveThis@yahoo.com> wrote in message
 >news:c6319047.0502020126.10ea2cd5@posting.google.com...
 >Anyone know or had problems with dashboard lights not working. The
 >dashboard lights i am referring to are the ones that come on when you
 >turn on either dim or head lights. The first time I thought a fuse
 >had gone so i got to the fusebox behind the glovebox and they started
 >working again. I did not change the fuse. Now when the lights go off
 >I find that if i hit the glove box hard when it is closed, i can get
 >them to work again, but I shouldn't be doing this and wondered how i
 >can sort the problem out. As the fuse isn't blown (it's the fuse on
 >the top row, 3rd from the left) do i have some loose or broken wires
 >somewhere? If so any ideas.
 >
 >Any help would be greatly appreciated thanks
 >

--
Donald Gray
Putting ODCOMBE on the Global Village Map!
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.odcombe.demon.co.uk" target="_blank">www.odcombe.demon.co.uk</a>
You do not have to email me, but if you wish to...
Please remove the SafetyPin from my email address first
Thanks<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Dashboard lights not working - 

Had the same problem it was the light switch.
It beats me how a firm opinion car be rendered on the fix for a vehicle
problem without hands on the car.
I doubt if it is loose wire or a loose fuse. but, if the cluster has to come
out, one screw up and a "60 second fix to try to save money a dollar can
turn into a $500 bill.
I find it somewhat mind boggling that some one will pay $15 - $20K for a car
and then go cheap to repair it.
But as "they" say its your money.

"Donald Gray" <donald DeleteThis @SafetyPin.odcombe.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:bltc011pcqqcl35mb9vfa6gl0h4p6it30p@4ax.com...
On Sat, 05 Feb 2005 22:20:59 GMT, "Waste" <wastertime DeleteThis @hotmail.com>
wrote:

 >I would not mess with it, and possibly make it worse, electrical problems
 >can get very expensive. You did not say what year Focus it was. The early
 >U.S. Focus had problems with the light switch.
 >

You may not mess with it and prefer to spend your money BUT the
symptoms indicate a simple loose connection. This type of fault can
often be fixed inside a few minutes and no parts required - I hardly
think that the situation can be mad worse by a simple investigation
and 'wiggling' a few wires in/near the fuse box in attempt to identify
the fault.

Lets say it is a loose fuse holder connection. 60 seconds to fix at a
cost of nothing!

Maybe you can afford to pay the charges the auto electricians charge.
I don't know the costs of labour in the USA for that sort of job but
here in the UK it would probably cost a minimum of £40 (US$60) and
probably a lot more.

If you were to read Shabs original post, you will comprehend that the
problem has nothing to do with the light switch....

However, if you wouldn't mess with reading the posts correctly (in
case you make it worse)I will happily read them for you. I only charge
$50 per half hour with a minimum charge of 1 hour...


Geeee... I do feel liverish tonight!




 >"Shabs" <lavenders19 DeleteThis @yahoo.com> wrote in message
 >news:c6319047.0502020126.10ea2cd5@posting.google.com...
 >Anyone know or had problems with dashboard lights not working. The
 >dashboard lights i am referring to are the ones that come on when you
 >turn on either dim or head lights. The first time I thought a fuse
 >had gone so i got to the fusebox behind the glovebox and they started
 >working again. I did not change the fuse. Now when the lights go off
 >I find that if i hit the glove box hard when it is closed, i can get
 >them to work again, but I shouldn't be doing this and wondered how i
 >can sort the problem out. As the fuse isn't blown (it's the fuse on
 >the top row, 3rd from the left) do i have some loose or broken wires
 >somewhere? If so any ideas.
 >
 >Any help would be greatly appreciated thanks
 >

--
Donald Gray
Putting ODCOMBE on the Global Village Map!
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.odcombe.demon.co.uk" target="_blank">www.odcombe.demon.co.uk</a>
You do not have to email me, but if you wish to...
Please remove the SafetyPin from my email address first
Thanks<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Dashboard lights not working - 

On Mon, 07 Feb 2005 06:42:15 GMT, "Waste" <wastertime.TakeThisOut@hotmail.com>
wrote:

 >Had the same problem it was the light switch.
 >It beats me how a firm opinion car be rendered on the fix for a vehicle
 >problem without hands on the car.

I am a qualified electronics engineer with many years experience of
fault finding in the commercial and military field. I also ran a
repair shop for may years.

The fault AS DESCRIBED did not need much thought as to give a
reasonable prognosis.

I have also been 'messing' with cars for 50 years. Rebuilding &
rewiring et al. I feel more than qualified to give a pointer to the
possible cause and solution to Shab's problem.

 >I doubt if it is loose wire or a loose fuse.

How do you know - you wouldn't touch it - you prefer to waste you
money and get someone else to dirty their hands.

 > but, if the cluster has to come
 >out, one screw up and a "60 second fix to try to save money a dollar can
 >turn into a $500 bill.
 >I find it somewhat mind boggling that some one will pay $15 - $20K for a car
 >and then go cheap to repair it.

Being careful and using common sense to fix something yourself it is
easy to do and only takes a few seconds is not being cheap.

It could be a deeper problem sure. But a moment or two taking a 'look
see' could save UNECCESSARY time out at the Auto Electrician AND HIS
BILL!


 >But as "they" say its your money.

No. Wrong again! - it is not my money. It was Shab's I was trying to
save.

Guys like you piss me off. Newsgroups are supposed to be a self help
groups. HELP being the operative word. I was trying to be helpful.
All you did was to tell the bloke not to touch it. What arrogance.

Now go back and polish your car again - or do you pay someone to do
that as well?

You should change your tag from wastertime to wastermoney...On second
thoughts... you got it right first time!
[]

--
Donald Gray
Putting ODCOMBE on the Global Village Map!
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.odcombe.demon.co.uk" target="_blank">www.odcombe.demon.co.uk</a>
You do not have to email me, but if you wish to...
Please remove the SafetyPin from my email address first
Thanks<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Dashboard lights not working - 

"Donald Gray" <donald DeleteThis @SafetyPin.odcombe.demon.co.uk> wrote

 > You should change your tag from wastertime to wastermoney...On second
 > thoughts... you got it right first time!

Or maybe even "time wasting troll". His silliness shows all the hallmarks of
the twisted loser who has been hanging around here for so long - maybe he'll
grow up one day.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Dashboard lights not working - 

Hey Shab,
I got some really good advise for you,
Keep thumping the dashboard.

From the wastermoney, time wasting troll, twisted loser.
I really like those titles.




"Dave Gower" <davegow.removethis RemoveThis @magma.ca> wrote in message
news:ApGdnc1tl_T6cZrfRVn-sQ@magma.ca...

"Donald Gray" <donald RemoveThis @SafetyPin.odcombe.demon.co.uk> wrote

 > You should change your tag from wastertime to wastermoney...On second
 > thoughts... you got it right first time!

Or maybe even "time wasting troll". His silliness shows all the hallmarks of
the twisted loser who has been hanging around here for so long - maybe he'll
grow up one day.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Dashboard lights not working - 

Thanks for all the advise guys. i finally removed the fuse and bent
the connectors a little in opposite directions. This would help the
connection inside the fusebox. On the left hand side I saw a lot of
wires bundled together which i assume went into the fusebox. There
were 2 bolts stopping the fusebox from coming out which i may attempt
to play with on Saturday. I did however wiggle the bunch of wires to
try and "connect" something.

When i tried the lights, the dashboard lights came on. It has now
been 3 days with working lights whereas before i touched the wiring,
the lights would go off at least 1 or 2 times daily so it is a vast
improvement so far.

On saturday i will attempt to remove the bolts and the fusebox to see
if i can get further into the wires to push them into the fusebox.

But thanks for the advice so far... it has definitely helped and
improved my situation.
 >> Stay informed about: Dashboard lights not working - 

Just to give my input on whether we should touch anything on our cars,
please note this is a forum for people to share ideas. We are here to
share what we know and learn what we don't.

For those of you who are just here to criticise, i mean why are you
even looking at ford forums if all you do is go to the dealer when you
have a problem?

For the rest of us, all ideas are welcome so we can attempt to
undertake simple repairs ourselves. If however we have done our bit
and still cannot rectify the fault, we will all do what you do in the
first place and call in the experts.

I mean what's the harm in trying? If you are half clued up, you can't
do much damage.
 >> Stay informed about: Dashboard lights not working - 

 > I mean what's the harm in trying? If you are half clued up,
you can't
 > do much damage.

Generally *much* less than the "Technicians" at the dealerships I
have experience with!

Chris

--
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 >> Stay informed about: Dashboard lights not working - 

On 11 Feb 2005 06:12:20 -0800, lavenders19 RemoveThis @yahoo.com (Shabs) wrote:

 >Just to give my input on whether we should touch anything on our cars,
 >please note this is a forum for people to share ideas. We are here to
 >share what we know and learn what we don't.
 >
 >For those of you who are just here to criticise, i mean why are you
 >even looking at ford forums if all you do is go to the dealer when you
 >have a problem?
 >
 >For the rest of us, all ideas are welcome so we can attempt to
 >undertake simple repairs ourselves. If however we have done our bit
 >and still cannot rectify the fault, we will all do what you do in the
 >first place and call in the experts.
 >
 >I mean what's the harm in trying? If you are half clued up, you can't
 >do much damage.

Well said Shabs
--
Donald Gray
Putting ODCOMBE on the Global Village Map!
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.odcombe.demon.co.uk" target="_blank">www.odcombe.demon.co.uk</a>
You do not have to email me, but if you wish to...
Please remove the SafetyPin from my email address first
Thanks<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Dashboard lights not working -