i will try that i just need to pick up a multimeter... i am guessing i can do that at radio shack.... are the left and right tail lights on different lines?

 

agreed, but also remember that most aux. lamps share a circuit in one way or another. that being said a circuit will find a ground even if its backwards through other circuits, or just lamps, but the voltage drop at the first load can rob other components of power. for instance one lamp will drop all 12v but the ground it finds may be at the other end of the truck with nothing else illuminated.

 

Correct me if I am wrong but doesn't the shift indicator light up any time the ignition is switched on and dims when the headlights are turned on? I thought that is the way it works. I'm pretty certain that the dash lights and tail lights are 2 unrelated problems.

Did you make sure that you didn't just turn the dimmer down by mistake? I know it sounds too obvious but it's always small things like that making me look foolish. Do the city lights and parking lights come on when you turn the switch? If so that would tell me that the switch is working properly. Any issues with turn signals not working properly? If all the exterior lights that are controlled by that switch work properly then it is either the dimmer or a ground issue.

As for the tail light, use your test light or DMM and test the socket itself for power.

 

no they should be on the same circuit together as well as all of your interior dash lights. I would suggest Walmart for a multimeter and don't be afraid to use a test light (much cheaper) just don't go probing wires with one if you are not sure what they are for. And I do agree with RyanD2 about his ground comments, if the PL wire has power coming out of the switch you will have a pretty tough time tracking down the problem. Like he suggested check common grounding points, I would start behind the instrument cluster (and behind central dash area) and in the kick panels

 

the only light that comes on when i turn the switch once is my driver side tail light

 

i also read on another forum... that when you have a tail light out the dash lights go out as a warning you have a tail light out.... is there any truth to this?

 

I am not sure about that, I know alot of car manufacturers will do things like that (mainly blinkers blink too fast or too slow if a bulb is out) but not sure about rovers, but I would have to say if you are getting no lights at all except one you have another issue, I would check for power at the bulb that is not working and maybe the trailer wiring too if you have that. Honestly this is starting to sound like a much deeper problem (almost like a circuit board got shorted) but I dont know of any circuits like that connected to the light system.

 

I was looking at the schematic and I noticed most of these lights tie into the MFU (multi function unit) not sure if it will help but here is the test procedure for this.

CIRCUIT OPERATION
Multi–Function Unit (MFU)
The multi–function unit (MFU) is mounted on the
rear of the passenger compartment fusebox and has
an input to operation of the following:

Heated rear screen

Heated front screen

Courtesy lights

Side and headlights

Rear fog guard lamps

Headlamp power wash

Front wipers

Rear wash/wipe
Diagnostic Procedure
1. Close all doors and the tailgate.
NOTE: If the oil pressure switch goes open circuit
(engine is started) during the following procedure,
the MFU will exit the diagnostic mode immediately.
2. Press and hold the heated rear screen switch
and switch on the ignition.
3. Release the heated rear screen switch within 2
seconds and the MFU will beep to indicate that it’s in
diagnostic mode 1.
4. Press the heated rear screen switch; the MFU
will beep twice. In turn, operate each of the following
switches, heated front screen, rear fog guard lamps,
side lights, headlights, front wiper, and rear wiper.
The MFU will beep twice each time a switch is operated.
5. Pressing the heated rear screen again will cause
the MFU to enter diagnostic mode 2.
6. The MFU will provide outputs to the following in
order given below:

Heated rear screen relay energised for 2 seconds

Heated front screen energised for 2 seconds

Courtesy lights energised for 2 seconds

Dim dip relay energised for 2 seconds

Rear fog guard lamp energised for 2 seconds

Headlamp power wash energised for half a second

Front wiper energised for half a second

Rear wipe/wash energised for half a second
7. The MFU will then exit the diagnostic mode.

 

nice thank you... i think we may be on to something now... i plan to test everything you guys mentioned tommorrow. thanks for all of the input and help!!

 

does anyone by chance have a photo of where the MFU is located?