Dashboard and rear running lights do not turn on in 1992 Ford Taurus?

Question

I have a 1992 Ford Taurus and recently, when I turn on the headlights at night, the dashboard and rear running lights do not turn on. I looked at the fuses and they all seem intact. This has only happened in the cold weather as of yet, so they have worked before. I'm thinking I might have a short. Does anyone know if a quick or easy way to fix it, possibly on my own without the need of a technician?

Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Try replacing the fuse regardless of how it looks. The most embarrassing thing I ever did was worked on a radio for a week because the fuse "looked" O.K. Sometimes a fuse can blow right at the end, where it's connected to the cap or post and it will still look good. The dash lights and rear markers are, 'typically', on the same fuse. Try replacing that before spending a bunch of time running down ghosts.

Answer 2

you would be wise to actually remove each fuse and inspect them as they sometimes get some corrosion on the points that contact the fuse block and this prevent electric flow.also the dash lights not working is a saftey feature to let you know that the tail lights are not working either.as you can see the dash lights from the driver seat and you cannot see the tail lights it notifies you to the problem in the rear , both circuts go thru the same fuse thats why its problably the fuse

Answer 3

Ford's are bad about headlight switches going out. Check the switch.

Answer 4

Assuming you know enough about your car's wiring, just go along and look for possible shorts or bad connections, also, if water is getting into the wiring, and freezing, it could potentially stop the current.

Answer 5

examine your fuses. If the relationship is broken on the fuse then it's time to alter it. Your vendors instruction manual ought to tutor you the place the fuse field is and which fuse is going to what. examine the internet in case you do not have the instruction manual or pull them one by one and look. weeder