No dash backlights!!!!!

97preza

Forum Member
Joined
Sep 7, 2011
Messages
34
Location
madison heights,va
HELP!!! my 1997 IMPREZA OBS has no backlights in the dash or the climate controls!! i have checked the underdash and under hood fuses and they all seem to be ok. anyone else have this problem or have a fix for me?? thanks in advance :)
 
Sounds like one of the instrument nacelle connectors is not seated properly.

From my Batphone
 
you mean the dimmer switch??? yes, i have turned it to make sure it wasnt something stupid like that. all the other lights work, such as the check engine and high beam indicator, turn signals and such. just the dash backlights and the HVAC controls are out. not sure why!!!
 
Well if all else fails, you can always redneck it out and glue some christmas lights around the dash & plug them into the cigarette lighter ;)
 
I know you said the fuses look ok but have you tries replacing the dash lights fuse? it might look ok but not be.

Also may be a bad connection, jiggling the fuse will help if its not seated properly, also check the wiring connectors
 
i have checked the fuses with a test light. so they are all ok. i wouldnt think it would be the bulbs since its the dash and HVAC lights. isnt there a relay or something next to the radio behind the dash? i read it on another forum. any ideas???
 
Pull out your stereo and air con unit and check any connections/relays or anything that might be behind there. Just be careful if you do though because there is air bag gear behind there aswell i believe.

Otherwise pretty much your only option is either go to an auto electrician or pull apart a fair amount of your dash and follow the wires with a multimeter and find out where the problem is.

Good luck.
 
97preza,
I did have the same problem. My fix gave me dash lights back, but the dimmer switch no longer worked. Its better than driving in the dark though...
Back to my original quest...I have done a good deal of searching with little luck. While doing the fog light mod I shorted something out.

I have an 02 FOZ and found that it doesn't have a BIU but it does have an illumination module located on the right side just above the kick panel. I examinded it (I don't have a meter) and it did not look as though any of the componants were burned or even overheated. I did however find that while it was unpluged I jumped the Orange/White wire to ground which fixed my dash lights. I am about to do that permenantly but I'm not sure how it will effect the odometer and outside temp windows. But I'm happy that at least I have dash lights. I'll post later how things work out.
Click to expand...

You can read more here...https://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f85/how-run-fog-lights-independently-103745/index4.html
Good luck...
 
Medtec, i checked out your link. where is that plug located?? and what exactly did you do? sorry, having a hard time understanding.
 
No trouble. I have found a lot of information because somebody bothered to post it, so if I can help I am more willing.
With the 02 FOZ there is no BIU (body integrated unit) which some Subies have, i.e. Outback and Legacy. I don’t know about Impreza but there’s more in common between the Impreza and FOZ. With that said I found an “Illumination module” which is located on the passanger side kick panel area. I was able to expose it by removing the kick panel and the lower portion of the dash (glove box). The illumination circuit wires for the FOZ are Violet for 12 volt power and Orange/white for ground. I cut the Orange/White wire from the plug and grounded it to the body. This fixed my dash lights with the exception of allowing the dimmer switch to work. But I was happy to see my dash after dark so I don’t care. The only thing I could figure is something burned out inside the Illumination module that was not obvious. I did take it apart and nothing looked as though it had overheated. I hope this is clearer.
If not or you have any other questions please ask…Good luck
 
ok thanks medtec!!! i will check this out and try to reground the orange/white wire and see what happens. thanksagain for all your help!!
 
only one of my backlights is out behind the heat and gas gauge. Would that be wiring or a bulb. How much work is involved in changing a bulb? Also cabin gauges light up but stereo buttons don't. I don't know if this applies but anything is appreciated
 
G'day co.adams & :welcome: to ORS.
I'm not sure mate, but I'm sure someone will pop in with an answer for you :)

Regards
Mr Turbo
 
Nice if we knew what sort of car you have but the gauge pod is easy to get out, usually 3 screws along the top and a couple in front will get the gauge cover off then after that is out of the way there will be maybe 2 more screws in a similar position which will loosen the gauges, drop your steering wheel to it's lowest point and move the gauges around until you can get to the plugs, usually 2 or 3 depending on the model then remove the unit......................find the buggered globe and replace it then put everything back together, you may have a speedo cable which needs to come off the back of the speedo also but highly unlikely in the US.

The stereo is on a different circuit, if it's not the original stereo they have a wire going to power for the lights, check for an in line fuse or just check your fuses.
 
Subarus using a lighting module to control dash lights. Lights are wired in branches that DO NOT go to ground, but feed back to the controller.

You blew out the controller. It looks like a relay with a bunch of wires behind the drivers knee panel.
 
nipper said:
Subarus using a lighting module to control dash lights. Lights are wired in branches that DO NOT go to ground, but feed back to the controller.

You blew out the controller. It looks like a relay with a bunch of wires behind the drivers knee panel.
Click to expand...
Not the OP, but the guy that asked the question a couple of days ago has only lost one globe, he really should have started a new post.
 
One globe?

Just for further information, the controller has three or four branches or zones, maybe more (depending upon car). They can be broken up in various ways, but it is a common (and expensive) thing to blow these out. Now when i need to add some sort of illumination I go for non dimming and take the source from the glove box. The glove box light is only active when the lights are on.
 
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