Sounds like the problem with your dash lights.
No dash lights
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: clovis ca
No dash lights
I tried a search but couldn't find anything that matches my problem. Here goes.
When i put the key in I get proper dash lighting. But when the engine engages they go off. When I remove the key the lighting appears and shuts off normally. The HUD works normally and I get a radio staion frequency display along with temp. All the instruments work normally. Speedo, tach, temp, etc. The headlights come on with the engine running. The headlights will pop up but no lights with with the engine off. When the engine is on the lights work normally. Strange. My guess is there is something wrong in the MFS. I'm hoping someone here can help me diagnose the problem. Lots of very knowledgeable people here. Thanks!
When i put the key in I get proper dash lighting. But when the engine engages they go off. When I remove the key the lighting appears and shuts off normally. The HUD works normally and I get a radio staion frequency display along with temp. All the instruments work normally. Speedo, tach, temp, etc. The headlights come on with the engine running. The headlights will pop up but no lights with with the engine off. When the engine is on the lights work normally. Strange. My guess is there is something wrong in the MFS. I'm hoping someone here can help me diagnose the problem. Lots of very knowledgeable people here. Thanks!
Original Founding Member!
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,037
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From: Granby, MA
Cruise-In 1, 3, 9. 10 & 11 Veteran
I tried a search but couldn't find anything that matches my problem. Here goes.
When i put the key in I get proper dash lighting. But when the engine engages they go off. When I remove the key the lighting appears and shuts off normally. The HUD works normally and I get a radio staion frequency display along with temp. All the instruments work normally. Speedo, tach, temp, etc. The headlights come on with the engine running. The headlights will pop up but no lights with with the engine off. When the engine is on the lights work normally. Strange. My guess is there is something wrong in the MFS. I'm hoping someone here can help me diagnose the problem. Lots of very knowledgeable people here. Thanks!
When i put the key in I get proper dash lighting. But when the engine engages they go off. When I remove the key the lighting appears and shuts off normally. The HUD works normally and I get a radio staion frequency display along with temp. All the instruments work normally. Speedo, tach, temp, etc. The headlights come on with the engine running. The headlights will pop up but no lights with with the engine off. When the engine is on the lights work normally. Strange. My guess is there is something wrong in the MFS. I'm hoping someone here can help me diagnose the problem. Lots of very knowledgeable people here. Thanks!
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,205
Likes: 2
From: Chicago-NW Burbs Illinois
Not an electrical guru here either, but I've had similar issues, along with a few others, that were solved when I had the ignition switch replaced. Just something to consider looking into. I'm sure Bill C. will chime in! 
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,461
Likes: 1,166
From: Dyer, IN
I tried a search but couldn't find anything that matches my problem. Here goes.
When i put the key in I get proper dash lighting. But when the engine engages they go off. When I remove the key the lighting appears and shuts off normally. The HUD works normally and I get a radio staion frequency display along with temp. All the instruments work normally. Speedo, tach, temp, etc. The headlights come on with the engine running. The headlights will pop up but no lights with with the engine off. When the engine is on the lights work normally. Strange. My guess is there is something wrong in the MFS. I'm hoping someone here can help me diagnose the problem. Lots of very knowledgeable people here. Thanks!
When i put the key in I get proper dash lighting. But when the engine engages they go off. When I remove the key the lighting appears and shuts off normally. The HUD works normally and I get a radio staion frequency display along with temp. All the instruments work normally. Speedo, tach, temp, etc. The headlights come on with the engine running. The headlights will pop up but no lights with with the engine off. When the engine is on the lights work normally. Strange. My guess is there is something wrong in the MFS. I'm hoping someone here can help me diagnose the problem. Lots of very knowledgeable people here. Thanks!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,461
Likes: 1,166
From: Dyer, IN
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: clovis ca
Lucky, I hope you remember me. You helped me sort out a hazard light problem. I hope you can help with this one as well. Heres the problem. No dash lights while the engine is running. No tail lamps while the engine is running. When I walk up to the car I use the fob to unlock the doors I can see the dash lights on. Put the key in and turn the engine on the lights go out. I found out last night that I also have no tail lamps lit. Brake and flashers OK. Just for giggles and grins I changed the settings on the twilight sentinel like Xtremevette suggested and poof they now work! WTF!? I should be able to maually turn lights on and off by using the MFS like I usually do. Thats why I suspect the MFS may be bad. Since I'm not the electrical guru can you help with a logical step by step elimination process? Oh yeah, my dimmer switch has a push to set feature for intensity. Thanks in advance Lucky!
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,461
Likes: 1,166
From: Dyer, IN
Ok. The twilight sentinel bypasses the MFS for exterior lighting.....sooo....you should have had no tail lights, front park, or marker lights at all............
Last edited by lucky131969; Aug 9, 2011 at 10:11 AM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: clovis ca
Lucky when I get home this eve I'm gonna do a through check on my lighting. I wanna be able to tell you what is absolutely correct. I'm gonna check the owners manual as well for operation of the sentinel. Something is definately not correct. Thanks again for your time.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,461
Likes: 1,166
From: Dyer, IN
Don't misunderstand me, the suggestion to try the twilight sentinel was spot on.......it's a great troubleshooting tool. You just have to verify exactly what works with/without twilight sentinel.
