Q: My car dashboard will not light up

asked by on October 25, 2016

The dashboard will illuminate for a couple seconds and then not come back on.

My car has 168867 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Electrical components are not working Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

This usually means that there is a short in the circuit board for the instrument cluster. The instrument cluster has a circuit board in it that houses the lights for the instrument cluster. The computer sends information to the circuit board so that the gauges and lights come on and show the proper information.

If the circuit board has a short or if it just stopped working, it will cause the problem you have. It is recommended that you get the instrument cluster replaced by a certified technician, such as one from YourMechanic.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Push rod keeps bending.
A common issue would be a sticking hydraulic lifter which can end up with enough of a gap between the top of the lifter and the push rod that the push rod can get sideways and end up bent. Another...
Rear tailgate doesn't lock properly and opens while driving
Hello. It sounds like the first step is to have the rear tailgate ajar switch replaced. Then, have the rear tailgate latch adjusted so the door will close properly. It is also possible that the rear tailgate support shocks aren’t...
Hear rattling coming from back end of car especially when I go over bumps. Is that a stabilizer problem?
Hello - it is certainly possible that the noise is a worn, or loose, stabilizer (aka sway bar) link. It could also be a loose shock mount, trailing arm or other control arm that is loose. I would recommend having...
Pitman arm
Hello, that is hard to determine without an inspection of the vehicle. Small issues can lead to bigger ones. I recommend as soon as possible the vehicle’s front suspension should be look at completely this would include ball joints, tie...
Can I still drive my car with a partially shredded serpentine belt?
Hi there. I would not drive the vehicle if I were you until you have the serpentine belt replaced (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-replace-a-serpentine-belt-by-mia-bevacqua). If it's partially torn, it will continue to shred and may cause additional damage to the pulleys or other components...
I need help.
IIt looks like you have trouble codes from an import vehicle like an Audi or Mercedes Benz. I cannot decipher these codes without more information like the year make and model of the vehicle. Consider hiring an experienced technician like...
How would I know if I need to replace the rotors on my 2016 Mazda 6 sport without removing the tire?
Hello. Thank you for writing in. With the age of your vehicle, it is rather unlikely that you would have to replace the rotors already. The brake pads that stop the rotation of the rotors however do likely need to...
I probably need a tune up on a 2011 Chrysler town and country. How much will it cost? Live by North Ave and Western
Hi there. You might find our scheduled maintenance online tool very helpful in determining what's required at certain mileage intervals for your vehicle. Once you review the recommended service on this page (https://www.yourmechanic.com/scheduled-maintenance), you'll be able to request quotes for...
Hey I got this BMW I got code p0491,p0492,p0455
Hello. The grinding sound occurring on your vehicle is likely caused by the secondary air pump failing internally. I believe so because the codes in your vehicle P0491 and P0492 are both codes related to the secondary air injection system....

Related articles

2012 Toyota Corolla vs. 2012 Honda Civic: Which One Should I Buy?
Compact cars are the unsung heroes, slightly larger than a subcompact, but not quite big enough to be classified as a mid-size sedan. These vehicles have a small wheelbase of no longer than 109 inches with between 100 and 109...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're a Pizza Delivery Guy or Gal
If If you deliver pizzas, you want to be sure that your car is reliable and won’t break down. After all, you have hungry customers waiting, and you don’t want the pizza to get cold. You want low gas mileage,...
The Top 5 Selling Cars in Alabama in 2012
2012 2012 was a great year in Alabama for auto manufacturing, but that wasn’t the only bright spot. Vehicle sales in Alabama were also robust in 2012. Nothing much changed in terms of the vehicle types that were most popular...