Illumination Issue

[bebelac]

Hello all,

I own a 2008 Outback 3.0 L.L.Bean.

Recently my side mirror broke and I found a used power folding one.

I did install it per the JDM instructions and it worked fine.

However, stupid me, at some point I created a shortcut and since then I lost partial illumination in my car (main instrument panel works fine and dimming works fine as well). But:

1. All the backlighting is gone (buttons, steering wheel, stereo and a/c). Only the door lights work

2. Moreover, when the dimmer switch is fully open the clock illuminates, at any other position it switches off.

 

I had a second dimmer switch, replacing it did not affect the problem. Checked all fuses and they seem fine.

Could it be a relay? or a shot module (I noticed that in newer models there is a relay on the engine compartment)

 

Any help is appreciated.

Edited October 13, 2022 by bebelac

[bebelac]

It was finally fixed. There was a shortcut behind the fuse box creating the issue. 

[Rusty9]

Glad you figured it out, sounded like it was the "illumination" signal wire that goes to various places around the dash and cabin that got cut in the wrong place.