foxbody dash help!! Electrical!

snomobila · January 24th, 2012, 09:22 PM

howdy folks I'm having some issues with my fox and was hoping someone might have some ideas. So the dash board illumination lights don't work, neither does the a/c nobs and window switch's illuminate. so the car was origonally a 1991 4 cylnder and now its a carbeurated 351 windsor. all the other electronic systems work that I can think off except all of the button/dash illuminations. even the door switch doesn't light up but the switch does operate. I checked all the fuse's, their all fine. I herd if you have a 4 cyl computer this will happen with a v8? the only thing is that the computer is not hooked up, the computer harness was cut at the fire wall. I'm starting to think maybe thats a possible reason? ANY help is always appreciated.

FastStang91Lx · January 24th, 2012, 10:54 PM

Dash dimmer is shot, most likely. Nothing to do with the engine harness. Common issue with the fox's. Mine had to be on its 'sweet spot' to illuminate the lights. Low and behold, it was trying to burn the car down.

Notcho · January 25th, 2012, 01:53 AM

The engine harness is entirely separate from everything else. The engine harness runs through the passenger side firewall, and everything else goes through the drivers side firewall. The 5.0 LX and 4 banger dash harnesses were the same, so that doesn't matter. (GTs had an extra set of wires for the additional idiot lights to the right of the steering wheel, low fuel, low coolant, etc.)

For illumination issues, I'd start with the dimmer switch and go from there, just like FastStang91Lx said. All of the illumination stuff runs through that switch. If there is a dead spot in the switch, none of the interior nighttime illumination lights (at least the ones that can be dimmed) will work. You can try messing with the switch (i.e. roll the wheel back and forth a few times) to rub off any dust that may have accumulated on the switch element, but if it has completely burned out, that won't do any good.

ryanw · January 25th, 2012, 02:24 AM

Latemodelresto.com
1987-93 Mustang Instrument Panel Dimmer Switch by Ford at LRS - Same Day Shipping!
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fox_body_stang · January 25th, 2012, 12:45 PM

I've got a dimmer switch I can sell you for like $25obo shipped.

snomobila · January 26th, 2012, 10:25 PM

Originally Posted by fox_body_stang

I've got a dimmer switch I can sell you for like $25obo shipped.

I'll let you know when I pull it apart.

snomobila · January 26th, 2012, 10:27 PM

Thank you All for the help! that issue has been such a burden for me for so long! I'll deffinetly be checking that out!

snomobila · January 26th, 2012, 10:29 PM

If it is the dimmer switch, would that cause the window switch buttons not to illuminate as well? i'm guessing/hoping their on the same circuit??

Notcho · January 26th, 2012, 10:37 PM

Originally Posted by snomobila

If it is the dimmer switch, would that cause the window switch buttons not to illuminate as well? i'm guessing/hoping their on the same circuit??

Now that I think about it, Fox window switches and door lock switches do not have lights in them. They just have white paint for the "up" and "down" "lock" and "unlock" etc.

ryanw · January 26th, 2012, 10:44 PM

Originally Posted by Notcho

Now that I think about it, Fox window switches and door lock switches do not have lights in them. They just have white paint for the "up" and "down" "lock" and "unlock" etc.

+1

To the OP they dont light up...lol

snomobila · January 27th, 2012, 10:45 PM

Originally Posted by Notcho

Now that I think about it, Fox window switches and door lock switches do not have lights in them. They just have white paint for the "up" and "down" "lock" and "unlock" etc.

I see what you did there

1987GT5.0 · January 27th, 2012, 10:47 PM

Foxresto.com your one stop shop for everything Fox. I love that site.

snomobila · January 30th, 2012, 04:04 PM

Originally Posted by 1987GT5.0

Foxresto.com your one stop shop for everything Fox. I love that site.

well if that isn't the most generic promo i've ever seen lol

January 24th, 2012, 09:22 PM	#1
snomobila Newbie Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 22 iTrader: 0 reviews	foxbody dash help!! Electrical! howdy folks I'm having some issues with my fox and was hoping someone might have some ideas. So the dash board illumination lights don't work, neither does the a/c nobs and window switch's illuminate. so the car was origonally a 1991 4 cylnder and now its a carbeurated 351 windsor. all the other electronic systems work that I can think off except all of the button/dash illuminations. even the door switch doesn't light up but the switch does operate. I checked all the fuse's, their all fine. I herd if you have a 4 cyl computer this will happen with a v8? the only thing is that the computer is not hooked up, the computer harness was cut at the fire wall. I'm starting to think maybe thats a possible reason? ANY help is always appreciated.

January 24th, 2012, 10:54 PM	#2
FastStang91Lx I Post Entirely Way Too Much 1991 Mustang LX 5.0 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 5,572 iTrader: 2 reviews	Dash dimmer is shot, most likely. Nothing to do with the engine harness. Common issue with the fox's. Mine had to be on its 'sweet spot' to illuminate the lights. Low and behold, it was trying to burn the car down. __________________ Point made in less than a few hours with minimal response. http://www.moddedmustangs.com/forums...ml#post4465184

January 25th, 2012, 01:53 AM	#3
Notcho meh ======== Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: New Braunfels, Tex / Seguin, Tex Posts: 5,184 iTrader: 0 reviews	The engine harness is entirely separate from everything else. The engine harness runs through the passenger side firewall, and everything else goes through the drivers side firewall. The 5.0 LX and 4 banger dash harnesses were the same, so that doesn't matter. (GTs had an extra set of wires for the additional idiot lights to the right of the steering wheel, low fuel, low coolant, etc.) For illumination issues, I'd start with the dimmer switch and go from there, just like FastStang91Lx said. All of the illumination stuff runs through that switch. If there is a dead spot in the switch, none of the interior nighttime illumination lights (at least the ones that can be dimmed) will work. You can try messing with the switch (i.e. roll the wheel back and forth a few times) to rub off any dust that may have accumulated on the switch element, but if it has completely burned out, that won't do any good. __________________ '87 2.3 Notch with +4 cylinder mod Ass, Cash, or Grass.. nobody rides for free Black Stang Crew Member #11

January 25th, 2012, 02:24 AM	#4
ryanw I Post Entirely Way Too Much 1991 Ford Mustang GT Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Diego, California Posts: 6,063 iTrader: 0 reviews	Latemodelresto.com 1987-93 Mustang Instrument Panel Dimmer Switch by Ford at LRS - Same Day Shipping! Foxresto.com Fox Mustang Restoration :: Products __________________ DART 331ci stroker, AFR 185 heads, Trick Flow R intake, Accufab 70mm tb, 75mm pro m Maf, 30lb injectors, jba headers, 2 1/2" x pipe flowmaster super 10 mufflers, 255 fuel pump, 3:27 gears

January 25th, 2012, 12:45 PM	#5
fox_body_stang Regular 2001 Ford Mustang Cobra Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Fountain, CO Posts: 74 iTrader: 0 reviews	I've got a dimmer switch I can sell you for like $25obo shipped. __________________ 2001 Ford Mustang Cobra---1993 Notch Colorado Car Forum Bringing Horsepower Junkies together!!

January 26th, 2012, 10:27 PM	#7
snomobila Newbie Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 22 iTrader: 0 reviews	Thank you All for the help! that issue has been such a burden for me for so long! I'll deffinetly be checking that out!

January 26th, 2012, 10:29 PM	#8
snomobila Newbie Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 22 iTrader: 0 reviews	If it is the dimmer switch, would that cause the window switch buttons not to illuminate as well? i'm guessing/hoping their on the same circuit??

January 27th, 2012, 10:47 PM	#12
1987GT5.0 Foxbody5.0 1987 Mustang GT Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Fort Polk LA Posts: 18 iTrader: 0 reviews	Foxresto.com your one stop shop for everything Fox. I love that site.

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