i noticed my dash gauge lights arent on anymore. i dont know if its the fuse or the light itself. any reccomendations? please help.

Damn!!! Nobody posted on this? Question...are your taillights out too? Your dash will go out completely if your taillights are out. It is a safety feature.

Stop!!!! Do not replace any lights, replace a blue 15 amp minifuse under the hood. This should take care of it. try 50 cents and your problem is fixed.

However, if you blow that fuse, then you have a ground somewhere. Pray that you do not have a ground!

http://www.xterrafirma.com/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=4728&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=15

There you go buddy! The same thing happend to me. The fuse that you want to replace is the tail light fuse, under the hood in the fuse box pass side. Let me know if you need anymore help!-James

Damn!!! Nobody posted on this? Question...are your taillights out too? Your dash will go out completely if your taillights are out. It is a safety feature.

Stop!!!! Do not replace any lights, replace a blue 15 amp minifuse under the hood. This should take care of it. try 50 cents and your problem is fixed.

However, if you blow that fuse, then you have a ground somewhere. Pray that you do not have a ground!

The same thing is happening to me. I just changed the fuse and it blew right away. How would I know if I have a ground somewhere?

when I first purchased my Xterra, the dash lights didn't come up. Then I realized there was a knob for dimming adjustment lol.

Turned it up after that.

Thought that may of been your problem first

THere are 2 places that usually cause it. THere is a harness on the passenger side fram by the spare tire. If there is a bid wiring there, then that is your problem. Also, tell me, do you have fog lights? If so, check to see if the wiring on that is good. THat was the problem for me.

hi, i have the same issue but need to know "exactly" where you are talking about when you discuss the wiring near the spare tire/tow electrical harness...can you help? thanks, rob

Alright Rob, there is a blue plug located on top of the passenger side frame rail. It is close to where the spare tire is. You should take a look at that wiring.

james,

thanks for the info. i have gone through the entire wiring as much as i could. i disconnected the blue plug for the hitch harness, checked for any frays or bare metal and couldn't find anything. i checked the wires near the emergency brake and couldn't find anything (difficult to see under the dash). took my steering column compartment apart and that looks okay. disconnected the four plugs that appear to go into the fuse box adjacent the battery but it doesn't appear that those four plugs have anything to do with the wiring as i can still turn the switch on for the lights. I have gone through 20 or so fuses troubleshooting with no results. sometimes the fuse doesn't blow for a couple of seconds or days and sometimes as soon as you throw the light switch it blows the fuse instantaneously. Not sure what to do now except take it to the dealer where i know they are going to charge an arm and a leg! thanks, rob

Rob.....

Wait....Read through this. THE WHOLE THING

http://www.xterrafirma.com/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=4728&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=15

Check out your fog light harness

Actually, check the wiring that goes to the bumper clearance lights, both sides. Nissan routed the harnesses for both of those lights incorrectly, and the routing allows the wiring to chafe on the bumper reinforcement.

You'll need to pull the lights out (kind of a PIA, but necessary) and reroute the harness around the reinforcement. Tape up the wiring or shrink wrap it.

By the way, this problem is how I met my wife. I ended up giving her the fuse out the PhoeniX because our parts dept was already closed. I'm such a sweetheart! :D