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MMJon · Joined: 15 Jan 2006 Posts: 13 Location: Manitowoc, WI

Having a problem with my daughter's dash lights. When her and her brother installed a "better" radio, it worked but no more dash lights..at all!! This is an 87 Ford Escort. We've replaced the headlight switch because the diagram shows all electrical coming from it. We've re-installed the radio and paid special attention to the mounting for grounds. No idea where, but I suspect that a ground has been lost between the under hood and the under dash. My next thought is to run a separate black wire from the ground side of battery to the metal parts of the dash to give a "good" ground. Any and all suggestions would be appreciated. Maybe one of you have run into this very thing and would be willing to share your discovery.
Thanks,
Jon
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Jeff Hahn · Joined: 28 Nov 2005 Posts: 6 Location: Ithaca M I.

there should have originaly been a wire to the radio from the headlite switch.this wire will have voltage when the lites are on.voltage will be variable depending on position of dimmer switch.
there should also be a wire to the radio with constant voltage (headlites off&ignition switch off)this is for radio memory.
there should also be a wire from the ignition switch that will have voltage with ignition switch on&no voltage with switch off.
possibly the wire from headlite switch is connected to ground(could be grounded thru radio)or maybe a fuse is blown.
ford fuse boxes can be confusing on which fuse does what. i have seen 03 pickup not charging and found fuse for the rh driving lamp fuse the problem.
check all fuses but should be a5 or10 amp for dash lites.
will the dash lites work with new radio disconnected?
sorry i cant tell you what color wires should be.
hope this helps. jeff.

MMJon · Joined: 15 Jan 2006 Posts: 13 Location: Manitowoc, WI

Only found 1 wire powering the radio. The fuses are all OK. I took them all out one at a time and checked with ohmeter. Then just to be sure tried new fuses in each. Removed a couple dash bulbs and checked them and they do work when powered, so it's not the bulbs. Still no dash lights. I hope to try the ground wire this weekend. I'll double check for extra power wires then. I'm open to any suggestions.

Thanks!
Jon
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Smile, it make people wonder what you're up to!