Need Help!!! Dash illumination is out on my WRX!

evoeater02[wrx] · 01-21-2005, 01:09 PM

Alright I really need help on this one. My dash illumination (where it displays MPH, RPM, Fuel Tank, and Engine Temp) is out. I was installing a CD player when *spark* one of the wires hit metal and sparked. Ever since then the dash won't light up. Yes I already checked the dimmer switch on the left side. The only time this is really a problem is when I'm driving at night. I've gotten a feel for when to shift without my tach., but I have no relativity of speed. I appreciate any thoughts or ideas that you guys may throw at me. Thanks, Jack

*By the way, it's a 2002 Subaru WRX

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Hank3 · 01-21-2005, 01:17 PM

Possibly a blown fuse? Check your owner's manual for a diagram of the fuse box underneath the fog light switch and in the engine bay.

evoeater02[wrx] · 01-21-2005, 04:10 PM

yeah i checked all the fuses, i really hope i didnt somehow blow the bulbs themselves behind the instrument panel, that would suck... do you think that's possible. i checked the manual too, it's pretty much worthless. i should buy the service manuals but a little tight on cash right now. gotta go to court for reckless driving. 95 in a 55, im so stupid. wish me luck...

Hank3 · 01-21-2005, 04:51 PM

It could be the bulb. I don't think that they're that hard to replace - of course I haven't tried it personally, but I've taken the gauge cluster out numerous times and saw the bulbs. Keep us updated...

Handsdown · 01-22-2005, 03:04 PM

my guess is blown fuse.

RedScooby2004 · 01-22-2005, 03:28 PM

My car is having the same problem. All of my lights went out all of the sudden and it was a blown fuse. The fuse is under the fog light switch in the middle row, second one over to the right. The only problem is that even when i put a new fuse in, the lights still didnt turn on. I have no idea what the problem is. And today i tried to turn my lights on, and now the headlights wont even turn on. I have no idea what is going on!! someone help please!!

Mulder · 01-22-2005, 04:46 PM

There are multiple bulbs back there and anyway you won't blow a bulb by shorting the circuit ahead of it. The problem is either a blown fuse, or a fried illumination (dimmer) module.

evoeater02[wrx] · 01-29-2005, 03:08 PM

Alright it's not a fuse or the bulbs. I think it must be the dimmer control module but where is the relay that controls that? Please help I have no more ideas!

DrD · 01-29-2005, 03:18 PM

maybe check the fusible links (slow blow fuses) in the engine compartment? Also - make sure you check the fuses with a multimeter, not by eye - you can't always tell when a fuse is blown.

not that it helps now, but there is a reason it's recommended that you remove the negative battery terminal before doing electrical work...

timmui · 01-30-2005, 10:06 PM

Today I have the exact same problem,,, installing a cd player.. sparked some a wires.. and the dash light went.....

please HELP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JohnGalt00 · 02-01-2005, 01:10 AM

I've got the same problem, only I haven't done any electrical work to the car in over a year. Just turned the headlights on the other night, and she's a no go. Also, the power door locks don't work, and if I replace that fuse, it immediately blows when I press the lock button.

nhluhr · 02-01-2005, 02:54 AM

Then you have a short that you need to chase down. Go buy a box of 30 or so fuses and keep replacing/blowing them while a friend listens for the short (you can usually narrow it down a little bit and eyeball some things).

evoeater02[wrx] · 02-01-2005, 05:02 PM

so i guess it must be the illumination module. i've heard they're about $80. that really sucks, i dont feel like spending $80 on that. right now its not a necessity but im going to subaru tomorrow and talk to those bastards at the dealership. i hate dealers so much! some bad experiences like all of us, but i wont get into that. if its not the illumination module then ill be pissed. lol by the way just disconnected the DRL's on my car, it's so much better. i hate daytime running lights. oh and one more thing, im buying eyelids for my 02 silver WRX, how much do you think its going to be to paint them. i have a paint gun myself so do you think i should do it myself?

TyranosaurusWRX · 06-23-2005, 01:26 AM

Did you ever fix your dilemma? Was it the dimmer control module?

icetea_aah · 06-23-2005, 01:12 PM

Well it happened to me as well : ( (after i install head unit and had aspark) , and i guarantee there is now blown fuses or anything because suddenly it turned on by itself and it was on for about 2 months and now is off again , : (

So guys do u have any idea, is there anything to do with the wire behind the head unit or for the head unit that is not tight or something ??

TyranosaurusWRX · 06-23-2005, 03:33 PM

That's odd. Almost sounds like maybe something is loose back there...then again, who knows.
Along with my gauge cluster lighting, my radio and clock was out. This morning the clock and radio were working fine. But I still have nothing lighting the gauges. From what I'm being told, and from what I've dug up from searches, it may be the illumination module. Unforturnately, I can't tell much from the service manual where it's located. I looked behind the dash and behind the radio, but not real sure on that one.

01-21-2005, 01:09 PM	#1
evoeater02[wrx] Scooby Newbie Member#: 70744 Join Date: Sep 2004 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: Tahoe Vehicle: 02 WRX	Need Help!!! Dash illumination is out on my WRX! Alright I really need help on this one. My dash illumination (where it displays MPH, RPM, Fuel Tank, and Engine Temp) is out. I was installing a CD player when spark one of the wires hit metal and sparked. Ever since then the dash won't light up. Yes I already checked the dimmer switch on the left side. The only time this is really a problem is when I'm driving at night. I've gotten a feel for when to shift without my tach., but I have no relativity of speed. I appreciate any thoughts or ideas that you guys may throw at me. Thanks, Jack By the way, it's a 2002 Subaru WRX Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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01-21-2005, 01:17 PM	#2
Hank3 Scooby Guru Member#: 16157 Join Date: Mar 2002 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Tallahassee, FL Vehicle: '03 Mazda P5 <>< '02 WRX & '08 MS3 SOLD!!!	Possibly a blown fuse? Check your owner's manual for a diagram of the fuse box underneath the fog light switch and in the engine bay.

01-21-2005, 04:10 PM	#3
evoeater02[wrx] Scooby Newbie Member#: 70744 Join Date: Sep 2004 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: Tahoe Vehicle: 02 WRX	yeah i checked all the fuses, i really hope i didnt somehow blow the bulbs themselves behind the instrument panel, that would suck... do you think that's possible. i checked the manual too, it's pretty much worthless. i should buy the service manuals but a little tight on cash right now. gotta go to court for reckless driving. 95 in a 55, im so stupid. wish me luck...

01-21-2005, 04:51 PM	#4
Hank3 Scooby Guru Member#: 16157 Join Date: Mar 2002 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Tallahassee, FL Vehicle: '03 Mazda P5 <>< '02 WRX & '08 MS3 SOLD!!!	It could be the bulb. I don't think that they're that hard to replace - of course I haven't tried it personally, but I've taken the gauge cluster out numerous times and saw the bulbs. Keep us updated...

01-22-2005, 03:04 PM	#5
Handsdown Scooby Guru Member#: 29355 Join Date: Nov 2002 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: seattle Vehicle: 2003 GD6 Hate chall but i'mma maintain	my guess is blown fuse.

01-22-2005, 03:28 PM	#6
RedScooby2004 Scooby Newbie Member#: 45900 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Philly Vehicle: 2004 TXS Stage 4,ICE Torques,Teins,Much More..	My car is having the same problem. All of my lights went out all of the sudden and it was a blown fuse. The fuse is under the fog light switch in the middle row, second one over to the right. The only problem is that even when i put a new fuse in, the lights still didnt turn on. I have no idea what the problem is. And today i tried to turn my lights on, and now the headlights wont even turn on. I have no idea what is going on!! someone help please!!

01-22-2005, 04:46 PM	#7
Mulder Trust no one Moderator Member#: 11170 Join Date: Oct 2001 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: NYC Vehicle: 02 WRX 05 GTO/11 Sonata(!)	There are multiple bulbs back there and anyway you won't blow a bulb by shorting the circuit ahead of it. The problem is either a blown fuse, or a fried illumination (dimmer) module.

01-29-2005, 03:08 PM	#8
evoeater02[wrx] Scooby Newbie Member#: 70744 Join Date: Sep 2004 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: Tahoe Vehicle: 02 WRX	Alright it's not a fuse or the bulbs. I think it must be the dimmer control module but where is the relay that controls that? Please help I have no more ideas!

01-29-2005, 03:18 PM	#9
DrD Scooby Guru Member#: 22412 Join Date: Aug 2002 Chapter/Region: SWIC Location: Albuquerque, NM Vehicle: 2012 Legacy 2.5GT Ice Silver Metallic	maybe check the fusible links (slow blow fuses) in the engine compartment? Also - make sure you check the fuses with a multimeter, not by eye - you can't always tell when a fuse is blown. not that it helps now, but there is a reason it's recommended that you remove the negative battery terminal before doing electrical work...

01-30-2005, 10:06 PM	#10
timmui Scooby Newbie Member#: 73804 Join Date: Nov 2004	Today I have the exact same problem,,, installing a cd player.. sparked some a wires.. and the dash light went..... please HELP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

02-01-2005, 01:10 AM	#11
JohnGalt00 Scooby Newbie Member#: 17035 Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Dallas, TX Vehicle: 02 WRX Black	I've got the same problem, only I haven't done any electrical work to the car in over a year. Just turned the headlights on the other night, and she's a no go. Also, the power door locks don't work, and if I replace that fuse, it immediately blows when I press the lock button.

02-01-2005, 02:54 AM	#12
nhluhr John Wayne Toilet Paper Moderator Member#: 7327 Join Date: Jun 2001 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Seattle, WA Vehicle: 2008 Mazdaspeed3 2006 Wrangler Sport	Then you have a short that you need to chase down. Go buy a box of 30 or so fuses and keep replacing/blowing them while a friend listens for the short (you can usually narrow it down a little bit and eyeball some things).

02-01-2005, 05:02 PM	#13
evoeater02[wrx] Scooby Newbie Member#: 70744 Join Date: Sep 2004 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: Tahoe Vehicle: 02 WRX	so i guess it must be the illumination module. i've heard they're about $80. that really sucks, i dont feel like spending $80 on that. right now its not a necessity but im going to subaru tomorrow and talk to those bastards at the dealership. i hate dealers so much! some bad experiences like all of us, but i wont get into that. if its not the illumination module then ill be pissed. lol by the way just disconnected the DRL's on my car, it's so much better. i hate daytime running lights. oh and one more thing, im buying eyelids for my 02 silver WRX, how much do you think its going to be to paint them. i have a paint gun myself so do you think i should do it myself?

06-23-2005, 01:26 AM	#14
TyranosaurusWRX Scooby Specialist Member#: 25731 Join Date: Oct 2002 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: flatlands usa, (IN) Vehicle: 02 wrx(sold)/2005 Sti/ 93 Leg Wag	Did you ever fix your dilemma? Was it the dimmer control module?

06-23-2005, 01:12 PM	#15
icetea_aah Scooby Newbie Member#: 88280 Join Date: Jun 2005	Well it happened to me as well : ( (after i install head unit and had aspark) , and i guarantee there is now blown fuses or anything because suddenly it turned on by itself and it was on for about 2 months and now is off again , : ( So guys do u have any idea, is there anything to do with the wire behind the head unit or for the head unit that is not tight or something ??

06-23-2005, 03:33 PM	#16
TyranosaurusWRX Scooby Specialist Member#: 25731 Join Date: Oct 2002 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: flatlands usa, (IN) Vehicle: 02 wrx(sold)/2005 Sti/ 93 Leg Wag	That's odd. Almost sounds like maybe something is loose back there...then again, who knows. Along with my gauge cluster lighting, my radio and clock was out. This morning the clock and radio were working fine. But I still have nothing lighting the gauges. From what I'm being told, and from what I've dug up from searches, it may be the illumination module. Unforturnately, I can't tell much from the service manual where it's located. I looked behind the dash and behind the radio, but not real sure on that one.