2000 GS300. Battery was dead, replaced it. Now the gauge cluster will not light up. The dash lighting dimmer switch will not dim the radio/temp control. All gauges are working and all other electrical functions appear to be working. Checked about 187 fuses and none of them are bad. Replaced main 40A fuse. I also did all the things suggested on this forum (disconnect negative cable, unplug gauge cluster, etc.) with no luck. I have even resorted to doing the hokie pokie and singing Kumbaya.

Now the really weird part. Last night while I was messing with it, the dash lit up. Today......nothing. I can't reenact what I did last night.

Recently I replaced the LCD radio display based on the instructions here (thanks, guys....it was a breeze). Also recently replaced timing belt and water pump.

My girl has 191,000 miles and I have never replaced the alternator.

I'm desperate! Any help would be appreciated!

 

Negative battery connection isnt on all the way. Take it off then put it back on firmly and make sure it's far enough down. Nothing to worry about. Good luck

 

Thanks TLcoats. I checked that as soon as I got home from the salt mine. The cable was not all the way down, so I corrected it.

When I got home, the battery was completely dead. Jumped it off and the dash lights worked! But.....as soon as I turned it off and restarted it, even with the jumper cables still on it, the lights went off.

Ran the car for 45 minutes and drove it for about 25 minutes. Still no dash lights.

This is getting maddening. Please someone, throw me a bone!

 

Update - Took the car to Advance Auto. Battery good, starter good, alternator good. But, 1.83A drain. So, now I'm thinking parasitic drain.

My guess would be to start with the gauge circuit, but who knows.

So, how does one find a parasitic drain?

 

Well, as expected, the parasitic drain and dash light problems were related. Found out there was a short in the instrument cluster. Got a new one from the salvage yard ($200) and I am good to go.