Dash & Shifter lights not working after radio install

  • Thread starter Thread starter Kenneth Whelan
  • Start date Start date
K

Kenneth Whelan

Hey all.. new to the groups but been reading up on them for a while.
I've got a problem I can't find a solution for, but it may be an easy
one to figure out for you guys.

My car is a 1992 Volvo 240 Sedan.

A few days ago a friend and I took out the factory radio and installed
a cdplayer in the dash. We didnt use an adapter, but instead we cut
the wires and wired them correctly (99% sure) to the wiring on the
cdplayer. We also took out the factory speakers and put some other
ones in, and replaced the wiring. We only replaced the front two and
have left the rear speakers alone until we feel like it. We had to
trail the new wire under the dash and under the glovebox and pull it
tight so it wouldnt hang down and catch our feet or anything. Fine..
great.. right?

No.. and yes. Everything on the cdplayer works fine along with the two
speakers we replaced. Thing is, now, neither the dash lights (just the
lamps that illuminate the dash so I can see what speed and such I'm
going at night) nor the shifter lights (P, R, etc, the little letters
that light up) do not work. All of the warning lights and everything
else works fine. Headlights work fine. It's just those two things.
I've tried adjusting the dimmer on the lamps for the dash, but it
doesn't do anything.

Is it possible that I've knocked out a ground wire or some other kind
of wire behind the dash from pulling the wires up tight behind it? Or
something electrical? Those are really the only two things I could
think of.. And it might be a waste to take the entire dash out for no
reason and that not be the problem.

If anybody has any suggestions or has had the same problem as me in
the past, please help me out..

Also, suggestions for new speaker mounts for my model would be
helpful. As of now, I've just got the two speakers sitting in the
holes where the old volvo speaker mounts used to be, with some tape
holding them in place. :(

Kenneth
 
Have you tried checking the fuses?
Its possible you may have shorted a wire when doing the rewiring or perhaps
have a crossed feed somewhere... A blown fuse will indicate if something
isn't quite right...

AB
 
Yeah.. I forgot to mention that in my original post.. I've checked the
fuses.. they're all ok. The ones pertaining to the dash lights also go
to my reverse signal lights, and the reverse signal lights work.. So
it's definitely not a blown fuse.. I replaced it with a new one
anyways to check.. but that isn't it.. :/

Kenneth
 
Ok then... what happens if you disconnect the radio (just disconnect the
plug at the back of it)? Do the lights work now? If so you have something
crosswired somewhere. If not then maybe there is a problem in your 'custom'
wiring.....
 
on your original radio there should be a yellow wire for the radio panel
lights if this is not connected this might cause your complaint

--
"*-344-*Never Forgotten"
Is for the New York City Firemen who lost their lives on September 11,2001.
The official count is 343, but there was also a volunteer who lost his life
aiding in the initial rescue efforts. And I will never forget them as long
as I live,
nor should any American.
"Mow Green"
 
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