Volvo RWD 700 Forum

INDEX FOR 10/2025(CURRENT) INDEX FOR 2/2007 700 INDEX

[<<]  [>>]


THREADED THREADED EXPANDED FLAT PRINT ALL
MESSAGES IN THIS THREAD




  REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

No dash illumination! 700

uid 21596's pic
posted by  James Anness on  Fri Oct 27 05:11 CST 2006
Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS] [RELATED]

I recently fitted a secondhand replacement Yakazi instrument panel to my 740SE (UK Model) in lieu of the troublesome VDO one, which was basically a straight swap and works a treat, with all the gauges, dials and warning lights working as they should. However, since I have fitted it, I have had no instrument panel, centre console or dashboard illumination and cannot work out why. The relevant fuses/bulbs are intact and I can't see anything physically wrong with either the car's wiring or the new instrument panel. I replaced the panel's dimmer switch with another one that I had, which made no difference at all.

Can anyone come up with any ideas why the instrument panel/console/dash illumination isn't working, as although I could live with the problem, it would be nice to have fully illuminated instruments as well as fully functioning ones?

And yes, I have made sure that I haven't accidently set the panel dimmer to its lowest postion... ;)
--
Volvo For Life. And then some- 1990 745 SE, Aka 'The Volvo'








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

    No dash illumination! 700

    posted by  mapleleafer on  Fri Oct 27 06:55 CST 2006
    Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
    last visit: Wed Oct 9 00:36 CST 2013
    [RELATED]

    I know this might seems a silly question, but have you confirmed that your parking and taillights still work? That circuit powers the dash lights and you might have blown a fuse during the cluster change.

    There are a few lights not on the dimmer, such as rear floor light in centre console, radio display (dims with lights on), and front seat belt buckles. Do they still work?








    •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

      No dash illumination! 700

      uid 21596's pic
      posted by  James Anness on  Fri Oct 27 07:08 CST 2006
      Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS] [RELATED]

      All of the exterior lights work fine, as do the seat belt buckle lights. The dash lights, instrument panel lights, gear selector light and rear centre console light aren't working at all :(
      --
      Volvo For Life. And then some- 1990 745 SE, Aka 'The Volvo'








      •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

        No dash illumination! 700

        posted by  mapleleafer on  Fri Oct 27 08:43 CST 2006
        Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
        last visit: Wed Oct 9 00:36 CST 2013
        [RELATED]

        The rear console light, front ashtray and heater control illumination are grounded separately and on the same fuse as the dimmer controlled lights. If these are also out, then you are missing power to the whole circuit... before it would enter the cluster panel. Either a fuse was blown, or a wire disconnected during the transplant. If those lights DO work, then the trouble is in the dimmer circuit only. It is unconventional, in that it changes the bulb's potential on the ground circuit, not the hot side.








        •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

          No dash illumination! 700

          uid 21596's pic
          posted by  James Anness on  Fri Oct 27 09:30 CST 2006
          Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS] [RELATED]

          Thanks for your reply :)

          Judging by your response and the response I got on another Volvo forum, I think that there's something odd afoot in the dimmer department. I'll find out for sure when I can check things with my multimeter ;)
          --
          Volvo For Life. And then some- 1990 745 SE, Aka 'The Volvo'








          •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

            No dash illumination! 700

            posted by  mapleleafer on  Fri Oct 27 10:10 CST 2006
            Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
            last visit: Wed Oct 9 00:36 CST 2013
            [RELATED]

            You can check the status of its blue wire (printed foil terminal "BL"). With lights on, unbroken circuitry, and zero brightness, the voltage at that terminal should equal battery voltage (with your other meter probe on an external ground). If you have that, then grounding that terminal should provide 100% brightness of the non-working bulbs.

            You may need to add a flylead to the terminal to allow you to reconnect the wiring harnesses and still have access to a teat point.

            If you acheive this, then wiring of the dimmer is suspect. But do not go there until you confirm the curcuitry leading to it. The red wire (printed foil "R") should follow with parking lights. Black wire needs to be at ground. If the other test passed, be sure there is no voltage on the black wire, indicating that it is mounted to an ungrounded screwhole.

            Following in this logical order will get you an answer quickly.







<< < > >>



©Jarrod Stenberg 1997-2022. All material except where indicated.


All participants agree to these terms.

Brickboard.com is not affiliated with nor sponsored by AB Volvo, Volvo Car Corporation, Volvo Cars of North America, Inc. or Ford Motor Company. Brickboard.com is a Volvo owner/enthusiast site, similar to a club, and does not intend to pose as an official Volvo site. The official Volvo site can be found here.