Strange Electrical issue

Hi Everyone,

 

Im new to the forum and was hoping I can get some help. I bought a 04 Legacy 2.5 i 35th edition for my son's first car. I am now noticing a weird issue going on. I can find some info in all the internet forums, but nothing sticks out as..Oh Yeah that's what I got going on...

 

Here are my symptons, and they have to be all related.

 

1. No Dash lights and no Door switch lights.

2. Dimmer doesnt seem to do anything

3. No Rear License Plate lights

4. Parking lights work

5. Lighter and Glove Box light work

6. Crusie button flashes

7. No CEL light

8. Yes, I checked all fuses and bulbs. tested with a multimeter.

9. After Market radio installed, but previous owner purchase and had installed over a year ago and never had this issue.

10. Fog lights now working - bulbs fine

 

Any ideas on what the problem could be? Dimmer switch or Illumination Control Unit?

 

thanks

Dale

The illumination unit up under the dash, maybe? It's labeled as illumi control and it's just a 3x2in black box up under the dash on the drivers side.

check all the fuses with a light.

Thank you both for your suggestions. I have an update, which gets even more strange....LOL

 

1. License Plate lights fixed...found broke wire that was connected via a cheap crimp connector. I removed, soldered, and heat shrink-ed it.

 

2. Went to get the car inspected (NH law) and found out:

A. CEL is not working (all other indicator lights work)

B. Dash lights, Drivers side arm switch lights don't work

C: Thru a code for an oxygen sensor on cell 1 of the catalytic converter (P0420)

 

Now I am concerned about malicious intent since I jsut bought the car. Is it possible the dash lights and the CEL are connected but no the other warning idicator lights?

 

Could someone have disconnected the CEL?

 

Any ideas? I did check the fuses with a light and for continuity. No opens.

 

Thanks,

 

-datj70

gauges work but no light? do you have video and pics?

That dash cluster is easy to remove/access so it wouldn't surprise me if they removed the bulb for the CEL, that would take all of 15 mins to do.