So it's a 97 legacy wagon. The typical HVAC lights have been out since I owned it(Oct'14), so last week I decided to replace the 3 bulbs with LED replacements.

 

Everything worked fine and dandy. Next evening all of a sudden the whole dash goes black and taillights were out. Ok it's a fuse. There was a 10A fuse in place of a 20A fuse so I figured that was the only issue.

 

Fast forward to a couple nights later. Dash goes black again. This time my taillights are still on. The fuse checked ok this time as well.

 

So is it possible my illumination control module died? Find it odd that this happened after installing LEDs which use less juice than regular bulbs

Read this first

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2015/03/piston-slap-traversing-world-led-retrofit-bulbs/

 

I would really go back to light bulbs as they last about ten years, and that illumination control is not cheap (it is in a junkyard get a few of them).

 

Is the entire dash out, or just sections of it. Does your glove box light work (its run by the illumination controller)

Read this first

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2015/03/piston-slap-traversing-world-led-retrofit-bulbs/

 

I would really go back to light bulbs as they last about ten years, and that illumination control is not cheap (it is in a junkyard get a few of them).

 

Is the entire dash out, or just sections of it. Does your glove box light work (its run by the illumination controller)

No the glove box doesn't work either.

Ok go back to normal lightbulbs and get yourself some illumination modules.

Also the lighting is zoned and a closed loop. Both the high and low sides of a bulb go back to the module. If anything is grounded out, you will let out the magic smoke. This also includes any aftermarket radios.

I installed a radio about at least 3 months ago. No problems with that

Thats why i said get a few modules, just in case.