phifer Posted January 7, 2005 Author Share Posted January 7, 2005 the dash lights work when the ignition key is on accessory (sp)?, not the run position. the dash lights work still when the car is running, with the parking and headlights off. im not sure what model car it is, like i said earlier..."this is my first subaru, and i know absolutely nothing about them" when the car is in running position, and i turn the switch one time to the parking lights, the dash goes off then also. Blue Train has a very good point - please pass the Aspirin! Talking to the PO in this regard (PO= Previous Owner) may shed some light (pun intended) To continue: Mr. Phifer Sir, the key ingredient in this entire diatribe is the "key" the ignition key that is. I tried in desperation to explain this to you but I seem to have failed miserably. We are trying to help you, we know you know very little about these cars. This is precisely why I tried to explain the way it should work. Operative word here - "tried" - I obviously failed. I also attempted to get you to use the "enter" key on your keyboard more frequently Another failure. :^( Please, I implore you if you would like my continued help, when you tell us the dash light are on or off, please include what position the ignition switch is in and use the "enter" key in between statements. Turbone and Torxx suggested long ago it might be the combination switch (the stalk mounted headlight switch on the steering column), I would tend to agree with him IF it were not for this statement by you, may I be so bold as to quote "when i have the car not running, the dash will stay on when i turn the switch for the lights to turn on" I am sorry that is out of context, you follow the statement immediately with "but they don't, when i start the car, the lights are on but no dash lights" I will close with a statement I made previously and it's relevance " 1) the parking, dash, and head lights ONLY work when the ignition switch is in the "run" position." This means, put simply - if the ignition key is in the "off" position, the dash lights should not operate anytime. to quote you once again "understand?" Your last reply says this is not the case. i.e. they WILL operate with the key off. This is an US model car isn't it? Maybe the Canadians are different? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skip Posted January 7, 2005 Share Posted January 7, 2005 Much easier to read - thank you so much. May I be so bold as to ask a few more questions This is a very interesting problem. the dash lights work when the ignition key is on accessory (sp)?, not the run position. Since you do not say I will assume, the headlight switch is in either the "parking" or" headlight" position? A more direct question is. 1) Are the dash lights off until you turn the headlight switch to the parking light position? answer____ 2) With the key still in the "acc." position.The dash lights then stay on even when turning the headlight switch to headlights? answer____ the dash lights work still when the car is running, with the parking and headlights off. This tells me the dash light are constantly on any time the car is running and the headlight switch is in the off position. answer____ when the car is in running position, and i turn the switch one time to the parking lights, the dash goes off then also. So to reiterate, anytime the car is running and the headlight switch is off, the dash lights are on (?) Hot dong - the one way I can see this happening is if the dash light dimming module (small wheel on the dash to the left of the steering column -should have a small picture of a light bulb beside it.) This unit may have an internal problem causing the dash to be on as it is. Where upon the 12v from the ignition switch being turned to run, causes the module to open circuit. Will you try this please? Start the engine. Turn the headlights on. Spin the dimmer wheel form one extreme to the other while watching the dash lights. Thanks again for making your reply so easy to read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted January 8, 2005 Share Posted January 8, 2005 Phifer, Since you state that the dash lights are on when the light switch is off and they turn off when the light switch is in either of the on positions I have to think that the switch is wired backwards somehow. I don't think a new switch will solve this problem. The wiring to the switch seems to me what the problem is and will have to be changed. If you are going to work on this yourself then you will need a wiring diagram to refer to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phifer Posted January 10, 2005 Author Share Posted January 10, 2005 well i have a bigger problem now...i have no dash lights at all, anytime. oh well, what do i do now?where can i get a wiring diagram? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted January 10, 2005 Share Posted January 10, 2005 Did you check the fuses? I would check your library for a manual you could make a copy from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skip Posted January 10, 2005 Share Posted January 10, 2005 here is what you asked for hope this helps it is kinda hard to read. the print is very small you may have to go to the libary anyway. you are welcome for the help thus far.Take it Glen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted January 10, 2005 Share Posted January 10, 2005 Well, hats off to Skip again for his resourcefulness. This diagram looked so familiar I had to check it compared to my '88 manual. They are exactaly the same. I thought there may be some differences with a '94 model but I guess not. Since there is no power to the lights now you need to check a couple of things. Hopefully you have a test light at least to check for voltage. First is fuse #6 for the lighting. If that is ok but you don't have voltage getting to it then check the red fusible link. This is most likely in a box that is mounted to the coolant reservoir near the battery. Let us know what you find out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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