efseiler Posted November 4, 2013 Share Posted November 4, 2013 Is the Illumination Control module located behind the glove box or underneath the steering wheel in a '98 outback wagon? My instrument lights are all out (along with the glove box light) and it makes night driving a little problematic. I think that the ICM may be the cause.... I checked fuses and they all seem to be intact... Thanks! --Damien Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxerRebellion Posted November 4, 2013 Share Posted November 4, 2013 Grab a multi-meter and chase it. Also, on top of simply physically verifying that fuses aren't blown, check them for voltage with the ignition "ON" That'll start the "chase" then go from there. Find out what fuse the ICM is on, trace it from there. (I realize, it's a pain) I don't know for certain regarding it's location, sorry. There could also potentially be a bad ground somewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmdew Posted November 4, 2013 Share Posted November 4, 2013 Did you install a radio recently? I had a friend that had a 97 Impreza and they saw power on one of the radio wires so they thought it was hot. It was really the downstream voltage for all of the dash lights looking for a ground. Radio and cig, lighter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
efseiler Posted November 4, 2013 Author Share Posted November 4, 2013 Well...one of my rear tail lights flooded with water shorting one of the bulbs out... I think that may have contributed. :-/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted November 4, 2013 Share Posted November 4, 2013 (edited) Did you accidentally roll the dimmer wheel on the headlight stalk all the way to the off position? And yes, if someone installed an aftermarket stereo and tried to hook up the dimmer wire, they cooked the Illumination module. Illumination control module is under the drivers side dash near the steering column. Has a 6 pin black connector. Edit again, I was looking at the wrong wire diagram. Your rear lights should be supplied power by fuse 5 in the under-dash fuse panel. Edited November 4, 2013 by Fairtax4me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
efseiler Posted November 4, 2013 Author Share Posted November 4, 2013 Hey thanks...that's helpful. No I thought of the obvious...but even with the wheel all the way down it would still be a little lit...right? :-) Another thing that doesn't work is when I pull the windshield wiper stalk it engages the wiper motor but not the spray...(it did work sometimes...but only very intermittently). This makes me think that there could be a corroded contact somewhere in there or something.... :-/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted November 4, 2013 Share Posted November 4, 2013 I'm not sure on the newer ones, both my 95 and 96 have a separate button on the end of the stalk for the spray. Pulling the stalk does a single wipe. Also on both of those, turning the dimmer wheel all the way down turns the dash lights completely off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
efseiler Posted November 4, 2013 Author Share Posted November 4, 2013 Well I examined the fuses more closely and, sure enough, the one for 'illumi' was blown. So, after replacing the fuse, it works again. As for the glove box light, I don't know...I know the bulb is fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted November 4, 2013 Share Posted November 4, 2013 Glove box light only works when the lights are on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
efseiler Posted November 5, 2013 Author Share Posted November 5, 2013 Actually a short in the glove box was blowing that very fuse. When I would open the glove box the fuse would blow. I think I must have re-inserted the bulb in the socket incorrectly when I took it out to inspect it. When I took the bulb out and tried it again...the fuse didn't blow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1-3-2-4 Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 Wow good timing, somehow my glove box light did the same thing to me one morning as well! I went to work, turned on the lights and I heard a crackle sound and then next thing I know my dash lights went out.. it sucks because I drive to work at 3:30 AM.. and it seems the glove box light has no part number? I looked at it and still can't figure out how it went wrong but it seems a piece of metal might of bridged between the two connections. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 The wires for the glove box light run through a very sharp edged hole drilled through the metal part of the dash structure. Not a very good place for them IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1-3-2-4 Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 mine was internal in the switch where the bulb base plugs in, a guess a piece broke off and I saw it touching Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
efseiler Posted November 5, 2013 Author Share Posted November 5, 2013 Yeah...it was that very switch...it was shorting that circuit out. I solved it by cutting one of the leads to it. Now it doesn't blow the fuse anymore. Cheers! --Damien Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1-3-2-4 Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 I just left mine disconnected until I can find a replacement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
efseiler Posted November 5, 2013 Author Share Posted November 5, 2013 Well I played with it for a while but to me it seemed that the switch was the problem...in any case...one snip...problem solved. It was easier than brain surgery! Over and out, --Damien Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1-3-2-4 Posted November 29, 2013 Share Posted November 29, 2013 Holy crap I just heard back from the dealer how much that switch costs... $40... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted November 29, 2013 Share Posted November 29, 2013 Thats cheap actually Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1-3-2-4 Posted November 29, 2013 Share Posted November 29, 2013 For seeing how small it is I thought it was a bit much, oh well I guess I will have him place the order. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted November 29, 2013 Share Posted November 29, 2013 The illuminator control itself is over 100 bucks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1-3-2-4 Posted November 30, 2013 Share Posted November 30, 2013 This is not that, this is the switch in the glove compartment box, the switch for the light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted November 30, 2013 Share Posted November 30, 2013 EEEK go to a scrap yard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1-3-2-4 Posted November 30, 2013 Share Posted November 30, 2013 (edited) lol, I'm guessing it's because they don't move hardly any of them I have to check a yard when my car is back up and running. Edited November 30, 2013 by 1-3-2-4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.