2000 4runner dashlights out

[WNC2OBX]

ok. ive searched for the past day to try to find an answer for this problem . im sure its right under my nose.

i replaced the factory radio with a kenwood head unit and used a wiring harness that fits toyota to this. two of the wires didnt match up so i attached one to what i thought made sense:

illumination-to-power
dimmer-to-*nothing

end result, no dashlights. all other lights work including taillights. im pretty sure the dimmer-to-*nothing may have blown a fuse but, when checked the ACC fuse under the steering wheel, its fine.

so handful of questions:

1- is the ACC fuse the right fuse for the dashlights?
2- what should the dimmer wire be connected to?
3- could the assumption of illumination to power be wrong?

 

[lurch]

so handful of questions:

1- is the ACC fuse the right fuse for the dashlights?
2- what should the dimmer wire be connected to?
3- could the assumption of illumination to power be wrong?

No the ACC fuse does not work the illumination on the gagues etc...the electrical diagram i have shows the 10A tail fuse is used for that.
As for the correct connection...not sure
I'll see if i can scan the schematic for you but I don't see any obvious connection

 

[WNC2OBX]

so a new development with this problem.

its obvious now that i just have a few wires mix matched. im really thinking its the illumination wire that should be connected to something other than power. i just went outside, at dark, and saw that my dash lights were on; the truck is not running, just sitting in my driveway. the dash lights stay on when i turn the headlights off, in daylight mode but, the dash lights turn off when i turn the head lights to on. then they turn back on when i shut the car off.

which narrows my questions to: what does the illumination wire connect to? google, here i come.

sounds like a new years eve project with a few beers to keep the cool.

any expertise is much appreciated.

thanks for your reply, lurch.

 

[WNC2OBX]

connect illumination to ignition power instead of the other power?

 

[raydouble]

connect illumination to ignition power instead of the other power?

I think that it's supposed to go to power, but I don't think it's working because the fuse is out....

Check #5 Dome 15A and #28 Gauge 10A..........If that fails pull them all and check em.

Do you have an owners manual?

 

[WNC2OBX]

I think that it's supposed to go to power, but I don't think it's working because the fuse is out....

Check #5 Dome 15A and #28 Gauge 10A..........If that fails pull them all and check em.

Do you have an owners manual?

all fuses are OK.

no owners manual.

i have a feeling the illumination or the dimmer wire is not hooked up to the correct power source or ground. i hate to guess and test too much and blow something up.

im hitting all around the answer with my searches. just cannot pin point exactly whats going on with this situation.

 

[raydouble]

You can dl an owners manual here...
https://forum.ih8mud.com/95-gen-toyota-trucks/341631-3rd-gen-4runner-faqs.html

Have you tried unplugging the stereo from the harness again?
Something is obviously not right there.

 

[WNC2OBX]

yes. ive tried just about everything it seems.

the dimmer wire activates the daytime running lights when connected to the constant power, by the way.

this is really throwing me for a whirl! are the dash lights suppose to remain on with the headlights in the off position? i would say it could be the bulb but, that would mean that the bulb for climate control would be burned too.

 

[raydouble]

I would think that if you unplugged and the dash lights are still not working....you have a fuse that is alluding you (did you check them visually or with a voltage meter/test light etc?)
or you may have fried something.......or something came unplugged back there.

 

[WNC2OBX]

visually checked all fuses again, just now. under the steering wheel and under the hood.

when i make contact with the illumination wire with the power wire, the dash lights come on when the headlights are off, then turn off when i turn the head lights on. thats the only way i can get any kindof light on the dash.

which throws me for a whirl because that illumination wire is for the radio. i assume it completes some type of connection for these dash lights to work at all... to bad they just dont come on when the headlights are on, id just call it fixed.

when the dash lights *are on, with the headlights *off, the dimmer knob does *nothing to dim or brighten the dash light. which leads me to think:

is there a separate system behind the dash lights that come on when you turn on the head lights? rather than the same system as the daytime running lights????

damnit. i know its right under my nose. i know theres power. the radio works great!

 

[raydouble]

So....it doesn't go back to normal, even if you unplug the stereo completey?

What color wire (and location) are you tapping into?

 

[WNC2OBX]

nope. dash lights (instrument lights including climate control) remain off with everything unplugged.

the *only way i can get any dash power is to connect it to the red, ignition power wire coming from the truck end of the harness. so there is a total of 3 spliced wires on that: ignition power from truck, ignition power to head unit, and illumination.

 

[MudHunter]

Figure it out yet?

Crouch

 

[WNC2OBX]

nope

im going to try a few more things tomorrow:

disconnect the battery for about 30 mins, hoping for a computer reset
double check the ground connection
try connecting the illumination wire while the headlights are in the on position
fool around with the dimmer wire
possibly connect the broken power antenna; hoping for something relative

i have read that if your switch is burnt, it can to funny things.

ive got this on 2 other forums and not getting any answers. i hate to take it to toyota at this point.

 

[WNC2OBX]

problem solved.

dimmer needed to be hooked to the ground rather than the ignition power. similar posts suggest to terminate the dimmer wire which is incorrect for this situation.