Dash Lights blew while driving

[U13 Altima]

I have finally got the Corsair running properly. I went for a drive this evening car is running really well but when I revved it out in 2nd gear the dash lights, the lights that illuminate when the headlights are on seem to have blown. I heard what sounded like a relay click then the lighting all went dead. Not sure where to look for a fuse or relay to replace. Obviously there is a problem with the power in the car but nothing else has gone. Headlights and tail lights still work just not getting any lighting in the dash or where the heater controls etc are.

Any help would be appreciated as I can't drive the car at night time without seeing the speedo etc.

[Budgie]

Does your stereo still work chris?

[U13 Altima]

Not sure haven't refitted the stereo yet as the wiring for the Pioneer came out of the car with the GL loom.  Can we chat on msn?

[xxxx]

same thing happened to my dad while he was towing a trailer....dont remember how the auto elec explained it but it made sense at the time.

[Budgie]

Yeah chris, I'm trying to remember what it was in my Bluebird when it happened...

My interior lights all cut out, but headlights still worked... although my brake lights did not either, it turned out to be a shorted brake light globe.  They shared the same fuse.

[U13 Altima]

I didn't actually check to make sure the brake lights were both working, just assumed the dash lights would be running on a separate circuit. I'll have a look tomorrow. I instantly went and checked the meter fuse when I got to the gf's parents place but no joy that fuse was fine. I then had a think about it and realised that all the gauges were still working just no illumination. I'll check them out tomorrow. The drive home was a lot of fun gf held my phone with torch on to light up the dash so I could see the speedo.

On a side note the motor is amasing compared to the CA20E really grunty through gear changes.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[rathies]

yeh mate the dash lights and tail lights share the same circuit on many cars. dont ever short out the light circuit on a mitsubishi cos we had to rewire the whole circuit once, what a pain.

[Leopard-Man]

happened to me but it was just a case of a replacing a blown fuse.

[U13 Altima]

I checked this morning, no tail lights so I'm guessing that the fuse has gone. I'll have to spend some time sorting a few things out. P'steering is still leaking like a sieve grr. Other than that I'm really happy with the way the conversion has worked out.

[Jono]

If the fuse blows again, check out any aftermarket wiring or modifications to the loom, basically just go over everything that isn't factory and make sure it isn't shorting: aftermarket gauges, head unit, cigarette lighter socket etc... From memory the dash light wiring colour is red w/ black stripe. If you draw a blank there check out the dimmer control to see if it's working properly (there should be diagrams in the FSM, use a multi meter to test it). Check trailer plug wiring (if it's got one) to make sure there aren't any bare wires and make sure it isn't chafing where it goes through the body of the car.

[U13 Altima]

Headunit and cigarette lighter wiring haven't been reconnected I'll check these on the weekend.

Thanks for the advice Jono and others 

[U13 Altima]

Dash lights are back. Fuse was blown for the tail lights, I've got my blue led dash lights working again. I was a little worried that they may have blown, as I have blown all the lights in my old Fiat when the alternator earth came off. Thankfully the only damage was a blown diode in the alternator which cost me $45 and my mechanic showed me how to rebuild it myself as he was busy at the time. Also had to replace the bulbs but they were cheap.