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Electrical 1989 mustang dash lights

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mustang_65-87
  • Start date Start date May 9, 2025
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Mustang_65-87

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#1
  • May 9, 2025
  • #1
The dash cluster lights are not working, I have checked the blue with red strip on the light switch. When I use my 12v light tester, I here it click like it’s tripping a relay and get a very dim light on the tester. Any thoughts? I have hot wired it and the lights will light up but the lum light for the headlight switch turns off.
 

AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes
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#2
  • May 10, 2025
  • #2
Is it only your dash lights? What about the AC controls, do they illuminate? If not could be the dimmer or the actual head light switch and/or wiring at the headlight switch.
 
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Mustang_65-87

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May 10, 2025
#3
  • May 10, 2025
  • #3
Just noticed the ac controls do no illuminate either. The headlight switch is new and illuminates but hard to see. I am starting to think dimmer
 
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AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes
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#4
  • May 10, 2025
  • #4
Dig into it and let us know what you find.
 
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Mustang_65-87

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#5
  • May 10, 2025
  • #5
So I have noticed the illumination light for the light switch and ac controls are on but very dim. I am going to buy a new dimmer. Man those are so expensive
 

AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes
Founding Member
Oct 28, 2001
5,847
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Claremore, OK
May 10, 2025
#6
  • May 10, 2025
  • #6
Check the output of the existing g one with a DVM. You can roll the switch and should see the voltage increase and decrease.
 
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General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
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#7
  • May 10, 2025
  • #7
Man, grab a can of electrical spray cleaner, take out the dimmer switch, its just a wheel with a springy thing that get's green for some reason, I'm sure it's some magical electrolysis happening but I've had great success with a tooth brush and electrical spray, wear eye protection if your clumsy like me.
Unless the spring is broken it's likely just green goo'd up.
 
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Mustang_65-87

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#8
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General karthief said:
Man, grab a can of electrical spray cleaner, take out the dimmer switch, its just a wheel with a springy thing that get's green for some reason, I'm sure it's some magical electrolysis happening but I've had great success with a tooth brush and electrical spray, wear eye protection if your clumsy like me.
Unless the spring is broken it's likely just green goo'd up.
Click to expand...
I will give that a try
 
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Mustang_65-87

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May 9, 2025
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May 23, 2025
#9
  • May 23, 2025
  • #9
So I have the dimmer working for the instrument panel but not the ac controls or other illumination items. When I try and start the car the ac controls and other illumination items come on and I hear a click under the dash. Any thoughts on this? Relay?
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
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#10
  • May 23, 2025
  • #10
Here's the wiring diagram

 
M

Mustang_65-87

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#11
  • May 23, 2025
  • #11
So it could be the daylight illumination relay?
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
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May 23, 2025
#12
  • May 23, 2025
  • #12
That’s specific to the radio

Check fuse 13. Make sure it’s good, and you have 12v there.

If that’s good, it’s a bulb/ground issue. If you don’t have 12v there, but do have 12v at fuse 12, it’s a headlight switch or dimmer issue.
 
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Mustang_65-87

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May 9, 2025
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May 24, 2025
#13
  • May 24, 2025
  • #13
Mustang5L5 said:
That’s specific to the radio

Check fuse 13. Make sure it’s good, and you have 12v there.

If that’s good, it’s a bulb/ground issue. If you don’t have 12v there, but do have 12v at fuse 12, it’s a headlight switch or dimmer issue.
Click to expand...
Yes sir it was a ground issue
 
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