Instrument console bulbs out? (All at once??)

[meerzee]

hey guys!

CAR: 02 Box S

Problem Description:
I noticed the other night that when I switched my headlights on, something was noticibly darker in the cabin. I have ZERO lights for all 3 analog displays, my digital OBC display is perfect, just nothing on the analog gauges. I checked the obvious in the fuse box, nothing. I tried adjusting the trip stick to adjust the brightness just in case it was set to dim/off, nothing. Anyone have any ideas? Woud all of the bulbs (assuming multiple bulbs) go out at the same time or does it seem more likely that it could be something else?

All advice/help would be greatly appreciated....including if I need to, the DIY instructions for replacing the components myself.

Thanks in advance!
-M

[Gary in BR]

1st I have heard of this one.

Have you checked renntech.org

[meerzee]

Hey, Gary.... how have u been, bro? I have been swamped at work and just getting back home and back to 986forum. I looked around but couldn't imagine that all 3 bulbs would go out at the same time, make more sense to be something else like a fuse or controller/sensor switch or something. I guess I could check all of the fuses....not just the instrument display, but I don't know what else to try.

Thanks, man.

[slogans7]

Same thing just happened to me. Did you find the problem/solution? I've checked every fuse in the car and they're all fine.

[gerrygug]

Remove and replace the related fuse.
Sometimes they are bad even when they look good.
Also, corrosion on the contacts is often hard to see.
Someone on this site had a similar problem and it was a fuse that looked good but was bad.

[Dave S.]

On most cars that same electrical circuit controls the "parking lights" which includes the front and side marker lights and the tail lights. Are you sure it is only the dash lights that are out?

[myfirstBoxsterS]

I'm in the same boat. Cluster bulbs are no longer working in my 04 Boxster S. I've checked all fuses. I took out the instrument cluster panel, but found it looked nothing like the Bentley book illustrations, so sometime after 2000 it all changed. The Porsche dealership in Tucson said I could bring in the unit and they could take a look. Has anyone tried to replace the bulbs for this year????

[Pdwight]

I have never understood why the light switch cost so much and the VW ignition switch is so cheap

[particlewave]

Originally Posted by myfirstBoxsterS

I'm in the same boat. Cluster bulbs are no longer working in my 04 Boxster S. I've checked all fuses. I took out the instrument cluster panel, but found it looked nothing like the Bentley book illustrations, so sometime after 2000 it all changed. The Porsche dealership in Tucson said I could bring in the unit and they could take a look. Has anyone tried to replace the bulbs for this year????

Yours has surface mount LEDs instead of bulbs and must be completely disassembled to replace. That said, there is no way they'd all go out at once. Must be a bad circuit or connection.

[Pdwight]

Words from the Master and he is right. If you own a car buy a VOM and learn to use it...a serviceable one can be had for 20 bucks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bF3OyQ3HwfU

[leafdude555]

I'm having the same problem. My gauge lights turn on for a few seconds when I turn the headlights on and then they flicker off. I tried connecting a gauge cluster form another 1997 car (same year as mine) into my car and the gauge lights still didn't turn on. The odds of both mine and the replacement cluster having issues is quite small. I suppose that means there is a problem with my car, perhaps in the wiring? Does anyone know what I should be looking for? I already tried replacing ignition switch and headlight switch with no luck.