Spent most of the day chasing this issue down....here are my notes so far;

Instrument lights
Note:
· Power to switch is good
· signal to light parking and headlights circuits work
From main light switch
· Pin 4 / C201
· (R)Red wire
Splice S221 to fuse box
· Pin 3 / C203 – Fuse 8 (section 58)
· Pin 1 / C206 – Fuse 2 (section 58)
From fuse 2 / to AC ON light indicator (circuit is good)
· Pin 21 / C204
· (RB) Red / Blk wire
· Ground to E400
From fuse 8 / to all dash lights circuits
· Pin 8 / C208
· (RO) Red / Orange wire
Check common ground – might be disconnected
· Location - E201
· Connector – C2029
· Connector code (6-W) – 6 pin connector
· Left kick panel, bottom, see picture (Z5 – 30)


Grounds are good....

After connector C208, from the fuse box, wire RO splices (S252). One side runs to the glove box and other goes to the rheostat. I need to find the location of that splice (S252). There is no power to the rheostat....

I gave up for the day, actually, for the weekend, could not repair it...yet. Next weekend...

 

See RAVE electrical troubleshooting guide, section Z5, page 39, lower right photo, splice is part of HJ8, behind cluster. That matches schematic in section J1 page 1. Guess you could put 12 volts to circuit at glove box, and feed backward for test purposes. Don't know how much fun the cluster will be, be sure to have battery lead off when moving the dash.

 

Ahhh....behind the cluster!!!

Okay. I'll get back in there when I pick up that cluster.

Thanks!

 

Call this case closed! For some reason, the cluster and dash lights now work!

I don't know what I did to get it working?!?!?!?

Well almost...looks like I need to replace a bulb or two....

 

You wiggled the right wire at the right time. Or the right connector. But the next time you jump a curb it may do it again. Might want to keep a small flashlight handy in the center console.

 

I learned my lesson a while back. All my vehicles have flashlights..

 

Okay...it is off again.

When you switch the lights to on, the cluster lights flicker, then immediately off.

I think it might be something in the light board in the back. I really need to get another cluster.

Will chk HJ8 joint....just to be sure.

 

If the part of the cluster that is suspect is made of circuit board material, it is possible to have a hair line crack that will open/close with a mind of it's own. Some times these can be seen by close inspection, or even by drawing an Xacto knife point along the metal strip that is the conductor on the circuit board, you can "feel" a crack. If crack is found, bridge with small piece of wire soldered in place, not solder alone.

Other other hand, a new used cluster might have only 17,000 miles -

 

It could also be in the turn signal stalk portion of the headlight switch. Mine started acting up. It would work if you forced it a little with a pair of pliers. Replaced the stalk and all is fine again.

 

Okay....found it......Rheostat again.

Tested RO (Red/Orange) and used the Blk ground at C214 connector, read close to 12volts consistent output when light switch is in the on position. So, the switch is good..phew...

Then tested RN (Red/Brown) wire that is the output to cluster, and again used Blk to ground at C214. Just what I found at the cluster, the voltage jumps to 3volts, at full tune on the Rheostat, then instantly goes to 0 (zero). The Rheostat is burned out....The used one I bought went out again.

Can I just jump RN and RO? I am not sure if 12v's to the cluster is too much?