All dash lights went out at the same time

All dash lights went out at the same time, except for gear selector, radio, clock, recycle air button and cargo light button.

I checked ALL the fuses and they are okay. I did notice the gas gauge light went out about two months ago but thought nothing of it. What should I check next?

I have also noticed that the high beams do not work when turned on; however, they do work when the turn indicator is pulled, then they go off when the indicator is released. The driving lights do not work either.

I know it’s an old truck, but this is the first problem I have had with it. IT'S AN AWESOME TUCK. Great job Toyota!

Any and all suggestions as to what to check or replace are welcome.

 

Welcome from CO and sorry for your troubles. Experts will chime in.

 

Maybe a bulb came loose? If even one bulb was missing from the main gauge cluster on my Tacomas, the entire cluster would lose power because the circuit was broken.

 

Some vehicles do have odd warning features similar to what you described. The handful ive come across it was a tail light/blinker/driving lights had burnt out.

Nissan altima was one of them. Blinker i think. Either way, its one messed up way to tell you a light burnt out. Since one is out, lets turn all the inside ones off too!.

Seriously, it may be something simple. Like a parking light, or the headlight/highbeam issue you mentioned.

 

because_v8 Are you suggesting that I take the instrument cluster out and make sure each bulb is seated correctly?

 

Twinky -- Turn signals, parking, high & low beams all work. If there were a bulb problem, it would be apparent, right?

 

Yeah, it should be. It might not be about your lights but it may still be something minor.

 

I hate to ask, but i gotta just incase.
You have definitely checked the dimmer switch?

Check and see if a penny or something lodged its way in to a cigarette lighter. Never know.

 

Twinky -- Dimmer was the first thing I checked. I do have a phone charger in the cigarette lighter, let me pull it and see if that might be creating a short. I will also unplug and replug all the lights on the truck. One might be loose.

 

Check the wiring connectors while you're in there to see if one or more has come loose and is maybe corroded.

 

I know you checked your fuses but for reference, or anyone else, heres a pic of the fuses to check first.


Pretty sure thats the right gen.

 

Do you park your truck outside? Even if you don't, there could be mice or chipmunks getting into your truck and chewing wires, I had some problems with them last winter.I set traps inside the truck and caught 3 mice in 1 week!

 

As a last resort. Then again you said one bulb went out first so you gotta replace it anyway

 

Probably a relay fuse OR just the instrument fuse since all the lights went out at same time. Or, a chewed loose wire or bad ground. OP you get this fixed?