1998 Buick Riviera Logo

Related Topics:

Posted on May 25, 2017
Answered by a Fixya Expert

Trustworthy Expert Solutions

At Fixya.com, our trusted experts are meticulously vetted and possess extensive experience in their respective fields. Backed by a community of knowledgeable professionals, our platform ensures that the solutions provided are thoroughly researched and validated.

View Our Top Experts

Instrument panel lights do not come on.

Once the sensor is covered up, and the headlights come on, the dash lights that are on (gears, clock etc. go out, but a few remain dim) If I manually put the headlights on, its the same problem.
At no time do the instrument lights come on. All fuses related to the instrument panel have been checked and are fine.
This all started when a friend soldered new bulbs in for the door handles, and for lighting up the controls on the doors. I unplugged them, and still have the issue. Any ideas?

1 Answer

Jeff Armer

Level 3:

An expert who has achieved level 3 by getting 1000 points

Superstar:

An expert that got 20 achievements.

All-Star:

An expert that got 10 achievements.

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

  • Buick Master 15,575 Answers
  • Posted on May 25, 2017
Jeff Armer
Buick Master
Level 3:

An expert who has achieved level 3 by getting 1000 points

Superstar:

An expert that got 20 achievements.

All-Star:

An expert that got 10 achievements.

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

Joined: Nov 22, 2012
Answers
15575
Questions
1
Helped
7110261
Points
73899

Soldering the new bulbs in may have done something to the LH DIMMER MODULE ! The 10amp INT LPS fuse located in the I/P fuse box is good ? Is the dimmer switch at full bright ?
When the park lamps are on, battery positive voltage (B+) is supplied through the instrument panel (IP) fuse block INT LPS fuse via CKT 32 (YEL) to the dimming switch. The dimming switch supplies a variably controlled voltage to the dimmer module(s). The potentiometer in the panel dimming control cannot provide enough current in order to operate the panel lamps. The dimmer module(s) amplifies the current, supplying the variable voltage to the panel lights. As the amount of the current increases, the lamps become brighter. As the amount of the current decreases, the lamps become dimmer.
Buick
There is only 1 dimmer module that supplies current to the panel lights. The left dimmer module supplies current via CKT 8 (GRY) to the following components:
• The headlamp switch
• The door switch flood lamps
• The heater and A/C control
• The door handle flood lamps
• The passenger temperature control
• The ashtray lamp
• The shift select switch lamp
• The instrument cluster
• The steering wheel controls
• The reset switch
• The trip odometer
• The radio
Parade Dimming
The parade dimming feature prevents the dimming of the VF displays when daylight is sensed by the lamp control module (LCM) and the park lamps are turned on manually. If the LCM senses night time conditions and the park lamps are on, the LCM allows the VF displays to be dimmed.
All of the modules with the VF displays receive the dimming level from an input on CKT 8 (GRY) or CKT 1244 (BRN). When the LCM determines that the above conditions are met, the LCM sends a signal to the instrument cluster and the radio via CKT 390 (YEL). For Buick, the radio then relays this information to the heater and A/C programmer and passenger temperature control via CKT 724 (PPL/WHT). The modules with the VF displays then adjust the dimming level of their VF displays to match the level of the incandescent lights.
LH Dimmer Module
Under the left side of the IP, on the left side of the steering column brace

5 Related Answers

Anonymous

  • 77 Answers
  • Posted on Oct 17, 2008

SOURCE: Head Lights go dim, instrument panel goes dim when I turn on my Headlights

Does it go completely black or just dim? Most displays dim when you turn the lights on to make the display darker so its not too bright. GPS and other displays do this. Do you have any problems with any other of the car's electronics?

Ad

Anonymous

  • 1 Answer
  • Posted on Dec 26, 2008

SOURCE: INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING

this problem seemed to go away when I jiggled the key switch or turned it off and on

Anonymous

  • 1118 Answers
  • Posted on Jan 21, 2009

SOURCE: Dash Instrument Panel Lights are dead - gauges work fine

do you have taillights? most of the time there on the same fuse. also chk. to see if plug is all the way in on your headlight switch.

Anonymous

  • 1 Answer
  • Posted on Jun 15, 2009

SOURCE: 2006 BUICK LUCERNE INSTRUMENT PANEL

instrument panel lighting should stay on all the time but it cuts . off when a certain brightness is there how can that be changedwhy can' buick help me change this

Anonymous

  • 169 Answers
  • Posted on Aug 30, 2009

SOURCE: Dash instrument panel and tail lights went out

needs headlight switch

Ad

Add Your Answer

×

Uploading: 0%

my-video-file.mp4

Complete. Click "Add" to insert your video. Add

×

Loading...
Loading...

Related Questions:

0helpful
1answer

How do I remove the left side air vent cover?

Clips hold it in place , take a flat screw driver with some tape around the end , so you don't damage you dash panel ! Stick the screw driver between the dash panel an the vent cover an pry it up . Be carful plastic , Once you get it started you can get you hand , fingers behind an pull ! good luck hope this helps !
Instrument Panel Outer Air Outlet - Left
Tip
  1. Using a flat-bladed tool release, the headlamp bezel assembly from the instrument panel.
  2. Disconnect the headlamp electrical connector.
Using a flat-bladed tool release, the air outlet from the headlamp bezel.
0helpful
2answers

The instrument panel lights will not come on when I pull on the headlight switch on my 2002 Buick Century Custom.

Is the dimmer switch for the dash lights turned down low ?
If not, the problem could be in the dimmer control.
1helpful
2answers

Electral the dash lights are not working

check your dash light dimmer switch. it is usually by the headlight switch, it might of gotten bumped accidently. if this doesn't fix your issue then i need to know if all dash lights are out or just the ones in the instrument cluster.
0helpful
1answer

Instrument lights not working

I did see where there is a fuse under the hood for the dash lights.
Other than that the dash light rheostat could be bad. In my old model cars the light switch on the dash, you would turn it clockwise to increase illumination of dash lights. The cars I have had since has button which you can push in to lock/unlock and turn clockwise to illuminate the lights. This is my best guess at this time. If someone has done any work under the dash need to make sure nothing is loose or not plugged in.
2helpful
1answer

How to replace light bulb on a clock 2004 Honda Odessey

Here are the steps:

1. Undo the panels to the left and right of the steering column.
2. Remove the panel that encloses the instrument cluster.
3. Replace the light bulb located on the back of the panel (removed in step 2).
4. Reinstall the instrument panel (removed in step 2).
5. Reinstall the panels on the left and right of the steering column.

Here are the details:

FIRST - Disconnect the battery. Be careful to locate the radio security code and radio station memory locations before you disconnect though. I chose to disconnect the ground (black wire) from the battery. Be careful to put the cable away from the battery terminal.



Step 1: Undo the panels to the left and right of the steering column.
a. Put on your parking break. You'll want to prevent the car from moving because you will soon put the car in gear.
b. Put your keys and turn to the starting position (but don't try to start the car). This allows the gear lever to move.
c. Move the gear shift to lowest gear. This puts the gear shift lever to a place nearly out of the way of the panel so that you can pry it out.
d. Using bare hands, pull smartly on the plastic edge closest to the steering wheel. Pry out the panels by hand as they are both held by tabs. This is hardest to do the first time. Keep in mind that these are pieces of plastic, so be careful. Once panels are out, let them dangle. You only need access to the instrument panel screws.

Step 2: Remove the panel that encloses the instrument cluster.
e. Remove the 8 screws that keep the instrument cluster panel in place.
o Two on left of steering wheel
o Two on top of instrument cluster (upside-down)
o Four on right side of steering wheel
f. Wiggle/pry out the instrument cluster panel. Be careful as the center is held in stronger than the sides. In addition to screws, there are different tabs that assist in holding this in place.
g. Before removing the instrument cluster panel, disconnect the clock and emergency light electrical connectors. While the clock connector disconnects easily, the emergency light has a locking tab that needs to be pushed in to disconnect. I used a small screwdriver to push in the tab to get the connector to disconnect.
h. Remove the instrument panel. Turn it over and locate the clock's protective cover.
i. Open the clock's protective cover by loosening the tabs. Be very gentle to these tabs.
j. Once the cover is removed locate the light bulb.

Step 3: Replace the light bulb located on the back of the panel (removed in step 2).
k. Unscrew the light bulb and remove.
l. Install the new light bulb. Check the light bulb before you install it. Be careful when rotating the new light bulb. in place. I've read in other posts that the light bulbs are VERY sensitive. I used a small screwdriver with plastic on the head to screw the light bulb. in.
m. Replace the clock's protective cover.
o. Reconnect the clock and emergency light's electrical connectors.

Step 4. Reinstall the instrument panel (removed in step 2).
p. Fit the instrument cluster panel back into it's original position. Be careful with the fan vents. I suggest aligning the fan vents first, then fitting the panel.
q. Screw in the 8 screws that keep the instrument cluster panel in place.

Step 5. Reinstall the panels on the left and right of the steering column.
r. Push both panels back into place.
s. Move the gear shift lever back to park.
t. Remove the car key.
u. [Optional - disengage the parking brake]

LAST - Reconnect the battery.

TEST - Reinsert your keys and turn them to the starting position (but don't start the car). The clock light should light up.

Note: Because the power has been reset, you will need to enter the factory stereo code and reset your radio stations.
2helpful
1answer

Intrument panel lights went out completely (dash lights), and when I turn on my headlights my clock, my gear indicator light on the instrument panel, and heater control displays go out.

There are a few things that can cause this. Check your fuse first. Could be marked Dash. If not, you will have to check the wires in the steering column with a wire schematic. If you have a question, please write back. I am here to help. Thanks for choosing FixYa.
0helpful
1answer
1helpful
1answer
0helpful
1answer

How do to get to light sensor that is in the very top front of the dash by the windshield. I may not be calling it by its proper name,but on 2003 1500 chevy truck this makes headlights come on

It is called the ambient light sensor.
You have to remove the instrument panel top cover.
To do this you have to first remove the instrument panel trim plate.Pull it off carefully.
If your truck is an automatic,apply the parking brake,move the shift lever all the way down and tilt the steering wheel down to enable removal.
Next remove the left & right side end panels,the right side air vents & the assist handle.(The release tabs are accessed through where the vents were)
Remove the left & right windshield trim moldings by pulling straight out.
Remove any bolts retaining the trim panel and lift it up.
Turn the light sensor 1/4 turn to remove it.
Not finding what you are looking for?

188 views

Ask a Question

Usually answered in minutes!

Top Buick Experts

ZJ Limited
ZJ Limited

Level 3 Expert

17989 Answers

Thomas Perkins
Thomas Perkins

Level 3 Expert

15088 Answers

Brad Brown

Level 3 Expert

19187 Answers

Are you a Buick Expert? Answer questions, earn points and help others

Answer questions

Manuals & User Guides

Loading...