Dash Lights

[t11mfn]

People,

I was re-installing my centre console yesterday and some bulbs that had blown, started to put it all together and the bulbs on the dash (incuding my instruments) and in the ashtrays etc all went out. Ive checked the fuses and there ok anyone got an idea what it could be?

[t11mfn]

anyone got any ideas? i would like to try and have a look today otherwise its another trip to the auto electricians for me.

[Brianmoooore]

anyone got any ideas? i would like to try and have a look today otherwise its another trip to the auto electricians for me.

Short answer is, it's whatever you accidently disconnected!
Panel lights run off fuse 23, which is the same as the right hand side sidelights, so if they work, the fuse is OK.
Both the grey/red and brown/white wires to the panel lights originate from the main lighting switch.
Test 1/ With the side lights on, check (preferably with a small 12V lamp), that there is 12V between the grey/red wire and car bodywork. Test bulb should light at full brightness.
Test 2/ With the sidelight on, connect the brown/white wire to the car bodywork. Panelo lights should light at full brightness.
Test 3/ with the sidelights off, connect a piece of wire from 12V+ (e.g.cigarette lighter centre pin) to the grey/ red wire all panel lights should light, and vary in brightness as the dimmer is turned.

[t11mfn]

Mate your a god, i will have a go at these later and let you know what happens

Should be easy as ive got the dash and heater matrix out, it is only like the lights that light up the ash trays and the heater matrix along with the dash clocks. I get some of the lights light up behind the main beam light switch but that is the only one!!!

[t11mfn]

Brian you have a pm test three worked what next...

[Brianmoooore]

Lights behind the main light switch are on a completely different circuit - they come on with the ignition.
If test 3 worked, then I assume 1 and 2 didn't?
The grey/red wire should get 12V+ from pin 1 of the main lighting switch when the sidelights are on. Power goes into the switch from a grey/green wire on pin 7, but this also supplies the right hand sidelamps via a grey/white wire from pin 5.
Last check is to see if there is 12V+ on pin 1 with the switch on.
If so then there is a break in the grey/red wire. If not, then the switch is dud.
If this is the only problem with the switch, then you can connect the grey/red to pin 5 instead. The only problem with this is, the panel lights will remain on if you use the parking light function on the indicator stalk (Which a lot of people don't even know they have!)

[t11mfn]

Brian thanks for that i will try it, however i dont think its a dud switch as i obtained another one and tried that.

My problem is the side lights dont come one when you put the light switch out once, to get the side lights on you have to pull the light switch out fully. I dont know if this is cause the headlights are different they seem to have a dark rim around them and only the middle bit lights up. However the main beam works with the two inside headlights if you are with me?

Also i noticed today that when you turn the key in the ignition the revometer moves to 500 revs i think is that normal?

Test one and two did not work you are correct.

P.S where are you from Brian?

Cheers

[Brianmoooore]

In your pm you said the right hand rear light and number plate lights don't work either?
I think your front right sidelight isn't worling either - this is a bulb right at the top of the outer headlamps. I think you have dim dip driving lamps as well (early facelift car?), and are mistaking these for the front sidelamps. These use the main headlamp bulb at reduced brightness.
If all the above is correct, then you have no 12V+ to pin 7 of the light switch on a grey/green wire.
This wire comes straight from fuse 23, so try a new fuse here. Swap it with one of the others, even if it looks fine.
I'm from N Devon - I'm on the frapper map.

[t11mfn]

will try these in a bit mate the headlights are not standard the bloke who had them before me put them on.

I will have a look at the recipts and let you know what they are, tell you what the electics are really doing my head in on this motor but im going to stick with it and get it tip top.

You are correct the rear drivers side light does not work the one to warn other drivers you have your lights on and the numberplate light all the others are ok.

Let you know how i get on later.

[t11mfn]

Brian thanks for yet again some more info, i looked at fuse 23 and it had blown so the rear lights wernt working, dunno why but i checked it the other day dohhhh

Ive given up on fault finding ive put it into a local auto electrician to have a go at fixing it, he's really good aparently and he works for a BMW specialist now so we will wait and see what it is thats causing it.