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sonny
Dodge Dakota
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3/01/2005
10:52:54

Subject: Dash Cluster Lights (once again)
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Hi there, Dakota Folks;
My wife and I own a 1996 V6 Dakota SLT extended cab. Recently we seem to have developed a problem with our dash cluster lights. They flicker, and go out. Sometimes, a crisp tap on the plastic face of the cluster brings them back on, but only occasionally. I've checked fuses. Also, our gas gauge fluctuates once in a while. We travel quite often to Canada from Iowa, so you can appreciate our frustration at these distractions (thank goodness for cruise control). Would anyone have any suggestions (short of a dealer) on what I could try to fix these problems? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. doowah_47@hotmail.com
Thanks




Bob Lincoln
Dodge Dakota
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3/01/2005
12:39:14

RE: Dash Cluster Lights (once again)
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You may simply have a loose electrical plug on the backside of the dash. If you're handy, you can pull the instrument panel with torx bits and a Philips screwdriver, after lowering the steering column.



RadioMan
Dodge Dakota
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3/03/2005
06:55:14

RE: Dash Cluster Lights (once again)
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sonny, next time they go off, take the headlight
switch and rotate the dash dimmer control and run
it to full brightness. If dash lights come back
on, your problem is the headlight/dimmer control
switch needs replaced. I believe on a 96 it was
still a all in one unit.

If dash lights still fail to come back on, do what
Bob Lincoln suggested.

Good luck




DNB
Dodge Dakota
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3/09/2005
13:27:54

RE: Dash Cluster Lights (once again)
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98 DODGE DAKOTA FUEL GAGE STOPS WORKING it is INTERMITELY. AFTER READING THIS POST I believe I may have a loose dash cluster harness.
When it stops working everything else seems to be fine,DASH LIGHTS ,ALL OTHER GAGES,FUEL PUMP .
What do ya think?



Dan M
Dodge Dakota
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3/09/2005
13:58:29

RE: Dash Cluster Lights (once again)
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DNB,
What do you mean by "stops working". does it stick? does it bounce around? does it go to full? empty? Reason I ask, mine bounced around for a while before finally dying (this happened twice now, it's a '95), first time It was the sending unit, this time, I've not investigated to know the root cause.

- Dan M



DNB
Dodge Dakota
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3/09/2005
14:51:13

RE: Dash Cluster Lights (once again)
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It happens sometimes when you are sitting still but most times while driving . The gas gage needle moves to the empty/off position and the low fuel light and buzzer comes on . The fuel gage needle does not bounce or move after a minute or so it will start to work properly. When it starts to work the condition of the road seems to have no effect on it ( rough or smooth). Another words hitting a pot hole. During all this the enging continues to run and the fuel pump is working because you can here it . On the way to work this morning it happened and stayed in the empty position for over 20 miles . That is the longest it has done this. At lunch it was working fine.




jjrh
Dodge Dakota
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3/09/2005
18:42:12

RE: Dash Cluster Lights (once again)
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Check the bus bar connector(white) under the dash.I had same sort of problems. We just took the wires off and put them back and all has been fine. My fuel gauge is allways off right now but I think it's a sending unit prob.
Good Luck
Randy



dracutrider
Dodge Dakota
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3/10/2005
08:20:09

RE: Dash Cluster Lights (once again)
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hey same thing happens on my 87. the problem on mine is where the cd player is though. kind of weird but when i bought it the cd player was removed and all the wires were cut so sometimes the cluster lights will work sometimes they wont, sometimes the horn works and sometimes it doesnt, but sometimes the wires in there spark. assuming the power is touching a ground but if i move it so it stops sparking they come on or go out depending on what they were doin before. im putting my cd player in today and i will find out whats causing it and let you know.



DNB
Dodge Dakota
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3/11/2005
12:14:03

RE: Dash Cluster Lights (once again)
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Thanks for the information, at least now I have an idea of what and where to look.
I know on the old dodge trucks the electrical system ran thru the volt meter and was attached with two cheap speed nuts , they were always coming loose and causing problems.
the fellow with the sparks in the dash, hey you need to get that fixed. :-)



bendy
Dodge Dakota
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1/12/2015
20:45:34

RE: Dash Cluster Lights (once again)
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I have a warning light that came on and I have
no clue what it is since the previous owner
removed the cover. Its the far right one. I've
looked in the manual but it doesn't show
anything in that spot. Wondering if its the
alternator light since it runs @ 18v when this
problem starts happening



fanny
Dodge Dakota
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1/16/2015
16:34:03

RE: Dash Cluster Lights (once again)
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Oil Pressure.



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