Silly 2004 Five Hundred running lights question...

Ruz

New Member
Jun 24, 2016
12
South Haven, MI
Boat Info
2004 Five Hundred
Engines
Cummins QSM-11
I know, it is a really silly question, but have searched high-and-low and cannot find the answer.

I am assuming that activating the running lights should also turn on the back lighting for the analog gauges on the instrument panel, but they do not. Have tried every possible switch to get those to light up, and they will not light.

I am sure that it is not the individual lights (no way all 4 are out).

The running lights switch should be activating these, correct?
 
Yes, your navigation light switch should also turn on the dash lights. Some dash lights have a dimmer... make sure its turned up also.
 
Turning on the navigational lights on my boat activates the gauge lights. I also have a dimmer switch. Is it possible the dimmer is bad or turned all the way down?
 
Turning on the navigational lights on my boat activates the gauge lights. I also have a dimmer switch. Is it possible the dimmer is bad or turned all the way down?

Well, the dimmer switch does control the hard-top lights, and does work properly. My next guess is to get under the helm and see if something is obviously disconnected. The running light switch does activate the external running lights, so that appears to be working as well.

Honestly, I was just trying to avoid the "Hey you idiot...it's switch X" situation. :)
 
Well, the dimmer switch does control the hard-top lights, and does work properly. My next guess is to get under the helm and see if something is obviously disconnected. The running light switch does activate the external running lights, so that appears to be working as well.

Honestly, I was just trying to avoid the "Hey you idiot...it's switch X" situation. :)

I just realized the overhead lights dim on their own switch...I am going to have to check out the 'Dimmer' switch, that might be my issue. Gonna feel like a fool if that is it!
 
I'd look for a fuse for the dash panel lights. Seems like the best explanation for all of them going out at once.
 
Speaking of the dimmer switch. On my 310, turning it counter-clockwise actually brightens the gage lights. Clockwise dims them.This was completely counter-intuitive and for the longest time I was convinced my gage lights were not working.
 
If you find the dimmer is bad, one option is just to remove it. That's what I did when I accidentally shorted mine out. At my age the illumination lights can't be too bright.
 
On my dash the switch marked dimmer is only an on/off type switch, and does not have any rotary/ dim control.
when activated it shuts the bulbs behind the gauges off but leaves all other tape light on and navs
 
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Take a look at your switch panel located at the helm, the dimmer switch will adjust the guage backlight. If it doesn’t, check the switch connections or it may be inoperative. I have the same year & model.

Bow Tie
 
Any resolution on this issue. My dimmer control box was faulty. But it didn't wire up to the instrument lights, just to the spoiler over head lights
 
On mine you also hold the dimmer pressed to increase or decrease brightness. And I replaced the old fluorescent tape light with a LED tape light. Works much better..
 
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On mine you also hold the dimmer pressed to increase or decrease brightness. And I replaced the old fluorescent tape light with a LED tape light. Works much better..

You got a link for that tape light LED? I assume it just wires in the same place the original does? Using the LED tape light, were you able to remove that piece of silver foil tape backing behind the switches?

Thanks.

Jaybeaux
 
You got a link for that tape light LED? I assume it just wires in the same place the original does? Using the LED tape light, were you able to remove that piece of silver foil tape backing behind the switches?

Thanks.

Jaybeaux

Jaybeaux - This is what I used and I did remove the silver foil. Not needed. And I just used duct tape to make it stick on. Works perfect. The wires tie into existing wire feed and the dimmer still works.
https://www.1000bulbs.com/product/201343/FLX-10103.html
 
I know, it is a really silly question, but have searched high-and-low and cannot find the answer.

I am assuming that activating the running lights should also turn on the back lighting for the analog gauges on the instrument panel, but they do not. Have tried every possible switch to get those to light up, and they will not light.

I am sure that it is not the individual lights (no way all 4 are out).

The running lights switch should be activating these, correct?
Silly question on my part.....are your engines running? or at least the ignition on with the engine switches in the "on" position? on my 390 the lights on the 4 analog gauges will not come on unless the above is true....
 
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