Why doesn't my dashboard light up?

Answer 1

make sure your dash light dim control switch is not turned all the way up. they are usually found in the dash on the drivers side or on the same control as the headlights. see your owners manual for further information. Usually, instrument panel lights ["dashboard lights"] are turned on and off WHEN the headlights or parking lights are turned on or off. Since the head lights and tail lights are NOT powered through the ignition switch, and therefore can be turned on even while the ignition switch is turned off and the key removed, so are the instrument lights. WHILE the head lights OR the parking lights are turned ON, "brightness" control of the instrument lights is accomplished by ROTATING the headlight switch KNOB. A FULL CLOCKWISE rotation of the headlight switch knob will FULLY DIM THE INSTRUMENT LIGHTS. Full counterclockwise rotation [ONLY to the "DETENT STOP"] will adjust the instrument lights to full bright. NO POSITION of this switch causes the INSTRUMENT lights to remain ON. IF the knob is turned a little more forcefully COUNTERCLOCKWISE, PAST THE DETENT, then the interior courtesy lights and the dome light will be turned ON. IF your instrument lights remain ON, suggests that you have not FULLY turned OFF the headlight and/or parking light switch. If, as answer 1 suggests, you have a SEPERATE control switch for the instrument panel lights, then it may be possible that that switch does have a FULL-ON position which keeps the instrument lights on continuously, regardless of headlight/parking light switch status. As Answer 1 suggests, your Owner/Operator Manual should explain how your particular vehicle's instrument lights are controlled. If you do not have your Manual, find someone who has a car identical to yours and ask them, or look at their Manual. If you can't find someone, try a dealership used car lot for a vehicle like yours. j3h

Answer 2

The alternator has low or no output . Put a volt meter on your battery and take a reading .the meter should read atleast 12 volts. Start your car then put the meter back on the battery and take another reading. It now should be reading between 13 -14.5 volts. If it does not get your alternator rebuilt.

Answer 3

Try all of the little things first! Check the fuses! Then look at the dash do you have a separate switch that controls the headlight and the dimmer? The old cars you pull the head light switch out then rotate it clockwise and counterclockwise for brighter or dimmer. New cars have a separate switch you turn the headlights on with one switch and there is usually a separate switch like on my Olds Bravada. That switch you will have to push in then in pops out like the button in your turkey on Thanksgiving that tell you your turkey is done. Rotate that back and forth from clockwise to counterclockwise. If that doesn't do the trick you will probably have to change that switch as all the lights in your dash would not burn out all at the same time. If they did burn out slowly over time and never got replaced you will have to remove the instrument cluster and replace the bulbs. This a lot of times is not for the novice person as the new dashes have a lot of plastic in them and all kind of little clips and screws that hold it together. If you break one it might not hold the dash correctly then you will always have a rattles or other complications driving down the road.

Answer 4

Tracker or Suzuki? There's a switch to change shift points,timing etc to make the car perform better. It's on the shifter base. Push it and the light will go out.

Answer 5

In order for a panel light to remain on, there has to be a different of voltage potential across the bulb. Probably, a wire going to one side of the bulb is shorted to something back there.

Answer 6

It means there is a problem with your brake system.

Answer 7

Check the brake fluid level. It may be low. Low brake fluid level is an indication the brakes need attention. Have a trusted mechanic check the brakes soon. Good brakes are a number one priority.

Answer 8

Which light? Check engine, maintenance required, oil, temp, etc.

Answer 9

You have a brake light bulb in incorrectly or possibly an incorrect brake light bulb or a faulty brake light bulb socket.