I have a 98 4runner 2WD and today for some reason my instrument cluster lights, my AC/hazard/defrost lights all went out along with my taillights, all at once. I checked the fuse, its cool, but its really strange that they all should go out at once. I checked the usual suspects the dimmer, the fuse, but its odd everything would go out at once. I have tons of electronic additions, but nothing recently and other than an aftermarket CD player, nothing really tying into the main electrical system. It just happened today, and I can't find my Chilton, but I just figured someone may know of a wire harness/relay/fuse that all this stuff runs through before I killed myself tracing it. I have to put my 791VX alarm in so I guess it would be a good time, but still.

BTW the brake lights work.

Thanks for any help.

 

When my dash lights went out, it was one of the fuses under the hood that was blown. I can't recall which it was though, recheck those and see if you find a bad one. A loose wire caused mine to short and blow the fuse.

I don't think my taillights blew with those too though...

 

If your fuse is Ok, its the head light switch. That turns on all the running and dash lights. I sell every switch I get because of that very problem.

 

Where is the switch? Its an inline switch, right, not the physical switch controlled on the steering column?

 

nono, the actual on/off switch mounted on the steering column.

 

i would test the fuse if you didn's sometimes just looking at it isnt enuf

 

I found the problem fellas, it was a fuse, but it was a strange location. It was all the way in the back of the fuse box under the hood. I can't read the label but yeah. thanks for all the help. Next time I'll pull out ALL the fuses first.

Thanks again.

 

I'm having the identical problem with my 1996 4Runner with 205K miles. I have no dash lights, no tail lights. Brake lights work fine and headlights work fine. I also realized I don't have the ding, ding sound when I leave my headlights on. I've checked the No. 8 10A fuse and the new fuses keeps snapping as soon as I hit the headlight switch.

Death Cougar and others, where would you start with this?

 

Do you remember which loose wire? I've got a small window before it rains to get my lights going today and would rather start at a likely spot. Some vehicles have inherent wires-in-bad-locations.

Anybody else, please chime in.

 

Just a suggestion but I would mark or name that fuse and leave a note about it in your Manual or just a note in the glove box encase it happens again on down the road. Glad you found it and that it was a minor problem. I hate electronic problems!!. But thats because I'm really stupid about any wiring:hillbilly: Mike

 

that fuse you blew was the 10amp TAIL fuse...why do i know this...i just blew mine today.haha