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How Can I wire Around the Dash Light Dimmer Switch?
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itzalgud
New User
Sep 8, 2008, 11:38 AM
Post #1 of 5
(1835 views)
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How Can I wire Around the Dash Light Dimmer Switch?
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I have a 1987 Mazda 626 with no dash lights (mechnical gages - no digital)
The dash light dimmer switch has been damaged - the little wheel you turn to adjust the lights has been mashed into the switch.
I have been unable to find a replacement switch, so I want to wire around the switch if possible.
The switch has 3 wires. One wire is hot (12 volts) when the headlight switch is turned on. I haven't checked the other 2 wires yet (car is unavailable now) but I assume the other wires go to the dash lights and ground.
Can I simply wire the hot wire directly to the wire that does NOT go to ground? I'm afraid of shorting something out, Is there any kind of fuse built into the dimmer switch? If this works, I know I will not be able to dim the dash lights, but it's better than guessing what the dark speedometer is reading at night.
Any help would be appreciated.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 8, 2008, 5:37 PM
Post #2 of 5
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Re: How Can I wire Around the Dash Light Dimmer Switch?
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22 year old Mazda - I'll take a stab at this. With just three wires to this smashed dimmer I would guess if the known 12v hot wire is connected to the correct choice of the other two you will have full bright instrument lights, still fused but not longer dimmable.
With no data or diagrams to go on myself I'd rig up a jumper wire thru an automotive bulb socket or test light(incandescent larger bulb like for a brake light, bulb in test light might be enough) and socket and jump to one then the other. Bet it lights on either but will light the instrument lights with the correct choice and it should be able to just leave a hard jumper wire to that one or just connect those two.
Just keep things thru fused power and you should be fine,
T
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DanD
Veteran
/ Moderator
Sep 9, 2008, 3:19 AM
Post #3 of 5
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Re: How Can I wire Around the Dash Light Dimmer Switch?
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If the wiring diagram that I have is correct; the red/black wire is your “hot” wire coming from fuse block pin #12A; so yes the circuit will still be fused. The red/green wire goes to all of the adjustable lights; the black wire is the ground for the light bulb, in the dimmer switch itself.
My only concern and I don’t know if it’ll apply here or not but some interior light circuits have a built in resistor, to lower system voltage to the instrument cluster. As to not allow the bulbs to ever run at full intensity and possibly melt the light sockets?
Dan.
Canadian "EH"
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 9, 2008, 7:31 AM
Post #4 of 5
(1816 views)
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Re: How Can I wire Around the Dash Light Dimmer Switch?
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Excellent warning about full voltage to instrument lights Dan! I'll put my duct tape and coat hangers away for a while
T
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DanD
Veteran
/ Moderator
Sep 9, 2008, 8:04 AM
Post #5 of 5
(1812 views)
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Re: How Can I wire Around the Dash Light Dimmer Switch?
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LOL
Canadian "EH"
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