Ok I have searched and searched but to no avail. My instrument cluster lights don't work, and after doing some research I found out that it is probably the dimmer switch. Being the cheapo that I am, I want to know how I would go about bypassing the switch. I found some topics about it but none actually said "splice this color wire with this other wire".

So if anyone knows how to do this could you help me out here, my current cluster light is my cell phone

Also, if it winds up not being the switch what other places should I check.

Thanks,
Andrew

Check the bulbs first.

replaced all just in case already. also check fuses.....

If it is the dimmer switch ( probably) why not just get another from a "you pull it " type yard? Probably only be a couple bucks. If there's no yard near you I'm sure someone parting out a vehicle in the classified section will have one CHEAP! Then it's just plug n play.

The only problem with bypassing the dimmer switch is you can't make it darker.  But I bypassed mine once it stopped working, it hasn't caused any problems.

The only problem with bypassing the dimmer switch is you can't make it darker.  But I bypassed mine once it stopped working, it hasn't caused any problems.

Yeah, in the years that i have been driving i have never run into a situation where i said " man i wish i could make these instrument panel lights dimmer" so that really doesn't bother me. how did you do it?

On mine I just unplugged the switch and that took care of it.  You might need to hot wire something on yours, I would have to take a look at the wiring diagram.  The SJ-410 sometimes has weird electrical changes from the Samurai/SJ-413.

yeah I unplugged at one point trying to get them to work but im pretty sure the hot for the lights runs through it so it should be fairly easy to splice it to something. I just need to know where to hook it up to make it work

cant imagine wanting them darker, its hard enough to see them at night now, Im hoping a good clean well help brighten them up.

yeah I unplugged at one point trying to get them to work but im pretty sure the hot for the lights runs through it so it should be fairly easy to splice it to something. I just need to know where to hook it up to make it work

You can make a short double ended wire with 2 male spade terminals on it and then plug it into the connector that you unplug from the back of the dimmer switch.  IIRC, you want to find the 2 wires that DON'T have 12Vs on them (you have 3 wires to choose from) and connect those 2 together with your made up splice wire.
I can look on mine later, if you don't figure it out.

yeah I unplugged at one point trying to get them to work but im pretty sure the hot for the lights runs through it so it should be fairly easy to splice it to something. I just need to know where to hook it up to make it work

Using Dice's 86-88 Samurai schematic, it appears that the Black wire is ground.  The R/Y wire comes from a 5A fuse and the R/G wire is the variable output to the dimmable instrument lights. To bypass the rotary dash light dimmer it looks like you should connect the R/Y to the R/G. I can see no need for the ground connection when/if bypassing. 

BTW, the four larger bulbs do get dark with age, and could benefit from replacing.  You'll notice the difference.  My cluster uses  #158 (3.4W/2cp/500hrs rated life)  OEM

Brighter replacements could be:
168 (4.9W/3cp/1500hrs rated life) -- 50% brigher & 44% hotter! 
194 (3.8W/2cp/2500hrs rated life, 194LL (5000 hrs))

I'd be inclined to start with the #194 (LL) and see if you're satisfied wiith the brightness. If not, try the #168 bulb, but watch out for heat -- the cluster is mostly plastic and you could melt something.

Not to high jack the thread, but I have a similar problem. Mine don't work either, but I know the dimmer control is good because the lights in the air control change. Bulbs are good. Checked them. Idiot indicators at the bottom of the cluster work fine. Weird. Any ideas?

corrosion on the traces or the bulb holders, or check for voltage on the traces with
the instrument panel pulled out

Wild

Ok so I am back I haven't check for new replies to my posts in a WHILE so I didn't know I had any replies sorry lol. Anyways thanks for the info next time I get some free time I take a look at it  and use some of those ideas and let you know what I come up with.

Thanks
Andrew

Don't mean to hijack your thread but my dash lights are out also(both cluster and hvac). I thought it was probably the dimmer so I switched my dimmer with a know good dimmer and no luck. I checked power going to the dimmer switch with a test light and no power. I did not see any listing on the fuse panel for the cluster but all fuses look good.

Is there a fusible link some where That I am missing?

If one bulb goes out do they all go out like a Christmas tree? won't help with out power.

Should I just put the dash apart and start chasing wires? 

thanks
jason