Problem with dash lights in a 1993 ford escort lx wagon 5speed 1.9L - Ford Forums

hubaker · 09-29-2009, 17:15

Hello Forums!

I have a 1993 Ford Escort LX wagon with the 1.9L engine. When I first bought the car a few months ago I believe that the lights behind the dash (the ones that illuminate the speedometer, temp controls, and radio) worked. But now that its starting to get cold (and dark) earlier Ive knowledge now that they do not infarct work. I did some testing and figured it was the rheostat switch that controls the internal lights. So todat I went to a salvage yard and picked up 2 switches of the same type. So I plugged one in and...nothing. The only light that comes on is the one for the radio LCD back light. But when I take the switch out and put a wire in and cross the two connectors, the lights do come on, so its not anything to do with the lights. I tried the other switch and, still nothing. Is there something else I can check to try and make this work. I have to drive in to school in the morning and its pitch dark out so I ether have to drive with a wire hanging out of the plug for the switch or drive with the dome lights on.

Thanks!
Hunter Baker

**rtg143** · 09-29-2009, 19:00

Are all the fuses good? The ones in that circuit are the Tail, room, and meter. Check all of them and make sure they are good.

hubaker · 10-02-2009, 17:47

Hello and thanks for your reply,

Yes I did go through and check the fuses and they all seem to be in working order. The other thing is that, when you cross the wires it does cause the lights to come on, and I think if my logic is correct that if there was a fuse out, they wouldn't turn on at all, am I right? The only other clue I can give is that one of the rear reverse lights is out, but I think that may be a bulb more than anything. Thank you again so much for your replies!

Hunter Baker

**rtg143** · 10-02-2009, 18:46

Here are 2 diagrams that show how it works. What wires are you connecting across? The power from the rheostat goes to a secondary junction block. It's located to the right of the steering wheel under the dash. Power comes from the switch through the L/brown and red wire to the inst/pnl fuse. See if there's power at that fuse with the switch on. From there it goes to the secondary junction block which sends power to the lights and another lb/red wire that goes to a relay to operate the LCD lights. See the second diagram.