Well, I just finished fixing my dash lights, and I'm an idiot. Now, I'm posting this so that others may learn from my mistake, I'm sure we've all been in a similar situation before, so I don't need a reminder of my oversight, thank you.

So my dash lights went out, about a month ago (just got to it because of school and the like), and after skimming the boards it seemed to me that it was probably the headlight switch, a conclusion reached after doing no diagnosis myself (gearheads will see where this is going). So I ordered a headlight switch from the "dealer" (Bill), and proceeded to tear my car apart to get the switch out (it'* a bit of a biotch), only to find I had the wrong switch. Bill was awesome about it and promptly shipped me the right one, even offering to reimburse me for shipping, which I declined, but anyways.

So today, finally, get a nice day, go out to my car, get the new switch in, and....it doesn't work.

*STRING OF EXPLETIVES*

I come back into the house, and try to find other causes here on BC (convinced it will be something with the cluster or somthing), and a thought hits me. I grab a flashlight, run back out to the car, and there is the problem...

After all this time, it was a damn fuse! I was so quick to jump on a PITA solution that I neglected to rule out the simpler ones! I felt so stupid (and debated whether or not I would tell anyone)...

So, the moral of the story is: approach problems systemically, rule out all the simple variables before resorting to something more drastic. In other words, if it'* an electrical problem, CHECK YOUR FUSES!

Hopefully this will help someone else, and my embarassment won't be for naught.

And if anyone needs a headlight switch for a 94 w/ Twilight Sentinel, I'll give you a great deal!

Why did the fuse blow?
An inspection of the harness and connectors would be due. But, you said it was for your dash lights and the harness is not easy to get too and prolly is ok. I've seen many instances where a bulb filiment comes off its post and grounds out detsroying both the fuse and bulb. Do you have any dash lights burnt out now?

glad it was an easy fix...

fuses blow for a reason though, keep an eye on it...

was there any signs of hot wire when you pulled out the switch?

No hot wire, this happened just after I installed my XM radio, maybe it has something to do with that?

Ryan, you got mail

Give yourself some credit. The best technicians can overlook simple things. It'* called being human.

Not to rub your nose in it, but I have been saying that on here for years! Everyone jumps at "It'* this high dollar, manpower intensive problem" without first looking for the cheap easy stuff.

Hopefully your hard learned lesson will help others remember that sometimes the easy stuff breaks too!!

PS - Been there myself way too many times. I had a Ranger pickup that I put 5 starters in before I tried replacing the battery

Yeah, the worst part is I have read it before and said it myself.

But live and learn...I'm still concerned as to why the fuse blew, because as Haro and PDad said, it doesn't happen arbitrarily.

Is there a chance that my XM installation could have done it?

well explain how you wired it

Well, as far as power is concerned I spliced into the "on with ignition" wire that goes into my deck and the ground wire that goes to the same.