Instrument cluster lights not working, blowing fuses

[Ristin]

Driving home last night and cluster lights went out. Found fuse 18, instrument illumination (dimmer switch power), was blown. Installed new fuse and it immediately blew.
There are no after market add ons nor have I had the dash apart.

Any ideas where to start trouble shooting?

2000 Expy 4x4 Eddie Bauer

 

[allanbegg]

If a bulb in the cluster shorted out, it will keep blowing fuses.
Pull the cluster and pull all the bulbs.
Install a new fuse and reinstall one bulb at a time until you find the one that blows the fuse.

 

[Bedrck47]

Although the above is good advice It could be misleading as there is more on that circuit than just the instrument cluster.

That circuit also includes the main light switch, all lights in all door switches and more.

I have attached a print from the 2001 circuit which is the same as the circuit for the 2000 expy.
This will give you some idea as to what you may be up against

 

[Bedrck47]

Look at the print and on the right side you will see a large splice S242 which also could be a cause of the problem if it is shorted out

 

[Bedrck47]

Fuse # 18 is the power feed for all of the following thru the main light switch

Instrument Cluster and Panel Illumination
The instrument cluster and panel lighting system illuminates the following components:

• A4WD mode switch
• adjustable pedal switch
• ash receptacle
• cigar lighter
• manual A/C control assembly (19980)
• electronic automatic temperature control (EATC) (19980)
• auxiliary climate control (front, rear)
• electric clock (15A000) (Navigator only)
• headlamp switch (11654)
• heated back window switch and light (18C621)
• instrument cluster (10849)
• message center
• exterior rear view mirror control (17B676)
• power door lock switches (front left, front right)
• power window switches
• power rear quarter window switches
• sliding roof panel switch (15B691)
• audio unit (18806)
• audio unit (19B165) (Navigator only)
• radio and A/C rear integral control panel (RICP) (18C858)
• steering wheel switches

 

[Ristin]

Thanks guys.
Not sure how a bulb would short out in the cluster but I guess its possible.

My owners manual says fuse 18 only powers the instrument cluster lights.
All of the items listed above that myExpy has, work fine with that fuse blown. The only inoperative thing I can find is the cluster lights.

 

[Ristin]

OK, decided to check the easy things first before tearing the dash apart. Little bit of luck and partially an educated guess. I removed the EATC and fuse no longer blows. Plug in EATC and fuse blows. Yay and not so yay....
Also noticed after unplugging and replugging in the EATC it no longer functions.

 

[Bedrck47]

Good thing you checked the easy things first I do understand about what the owners manual tells you.

Yet by having the wiring diagrams and service manual Tells much more

Imagine your frustration had you removed the instrument cluster and removed all the bulbs and before you even tried to install one bub the fuse would have blown. Of course the cluster could have also been a problem

Check a salvage yard for a replacement or check on e-bay

 

[Ristin]

Took mine apart. One of the light sockets broke loose. I'm going to resolder and see if that fixes it. Also ordered a replacement unit of Ebay just in case.

 

[stamp11127]

If you have a meter you could have measured the resistance on the circuit once it is repaired.