Ok, so I installed a few guages not too long ago in the dash and I used the wiring for an automatic model transmission selector light (the 2 wires on the left side when you pop up the shifter surround)..but today I went and tried to hook up a lighted switch for the guages and a little light I put in and either I messed up the wiring on the switch, or I just overloaded the circuit. Anyways, I blew the "meter back" fuse, which I replaced, and also took out the switch and put it back to how it was set up before, only now the lights in the dash, guages and heating dials are out, but the clock still lights up. Is there another fuse that Im not finding or what is causing the lights to stay off after I replaced the fuse, since Im back to the original setup? Also why does the clock light up and not the guages, I thought it was all on the same circuit? I figure if I cant trace the problem Im going to try running a relay on the clock light to my guages and other lights, and since the dash is on the same circuit as the wire beside the shifter I figure I may be able to backfeed the dash from the relay while also having some extra power for other things. Will this work, or what am I going to have to do to get the dash lights back?

 

check the bulbs before you do anything....

 

Your dial dimmer switch for the dash lights which is located next to the power mirror switch is a likely suspect. Try bypassing it, if the dash lights come on, it's bad.
rx7doctor

 

If you blew the fuse, you very likely blew the bulbs in the instrument cluster. Like blazer said, start there, then the docs suggestion.

 

Its not the bulbs, but its really cold here and the only thing I tested was power at my aftermarket guages. There was none. I guess ill just try to track down the problem when I have some time, it shouldnt be too hard. As for my dimmer switch...broken already and I dont even know if its hooked up but it doesnt do anything...could that be the problem?

 

Dude. It's gauges. You spelled "g u a g e s" like seven times ( ooh! magic number ).

Guages are what harelipped dudes call garages.

 

the dimmer switch next to the power mirror switch is the circuit for the dashlights
their is no power to them without thw switch. Take the switch out and bypass it with a jumper, the 2 multi-color wires are the jumper. The lights should come on unless you burnt out all the bulbs which is very unlikely. rx7doctor