Topic: dash lights problem

[roadster4432]

I just bought a 1990 toyota 4x4 ex cab, the dash lights in the instrument cluster and heater controls arent working, its not a fuse, i have taillights working, and i tried changing the reostat with another one, but still no lights. when i put a multimeter on the wire coming into the reostat, it is around 6.5 volts, tried putting a 12v wire to the other wire off of reostat and it started smoking!! guessing maybe a shorted out wire somewhere??  Does anyone out there have experience with this sort of problem?

[4runnerfromhell]

I just had the same problem with my 89 4runner it just so happens the the 2 lights that lite up the spedo fuel  and temp both had burned out.

[roadster4432 [OP]]

ive already checked the bulbs and they all appear to be good.

[79coyotefrg]

ground

had that problem with my 79 years ago,  took the dash apart and cleaned the connections and it appeared ther ground was corroded

[roadster4432 [OP]]

i took out the cd player today and all the lights started working, plugged it back in and they are still working,,, so i guess somehow that solved it!! thanks

[4xtoy]

I've got a similar problem with the dash lights, but I am getiing 12v on both wires. It's 0 volts across the two but 12v to a body ground on each side. Any ideas? I'm at a loss.