Center dash lights not working

[steveassault]

My main dash lights work (speedometer etc) but the center lights don't work (radio, heat/ac, gear shifter). The radio works as does the cigarette port. If I smack tge side area beneath the gear shifter/side area the lights flicker or come on briefly but got away again quickly. Anyone ever experience this?

[andrewclaus]

Yes, I call it "percussive engineering" when stuff like that happens to an old car. Usually I live with it, but seeing heater controls can be critical when the windshield's fogging up on a cold night.

The fix will probably involve taking the bezels off, but carefully. Connectors are plastic snaps, and aging plastic can break. With bezels off, you can pull the radio or heater control and reach into the wiring and start trying to find the loose or corroded connection.

[SSizler]

Yes.
These are all common problems and very repairable.
4 of 5 Vibes I have purchased needed 1 or both HVAC bulbs replaced.
That is not an easy job.
I have found heat shrink tubing that just fits over the bulb glass is the solution to getting them installed.
The radio lights are a known problem and fairly easy to fix.
Do a search here for the bulb part numbers and process.
I have done the radio bulb replacement once. You need a good de-solder tool and a good solder iron.
Used radios with good bulbs are plentiful on eBay and easy to replace.
3 of my 5 Vibes needed the shifter bulb replaced.
I recommend removing the surround for bulb access.
Removing the handle to go in from the top results in breaking the overdrive wire or button, forcing a tedious additional repair.
All of these repairs are also shown on YouTube, but not all show the easiest method, so watch more than one.
Have fun learning about your Vibe!

[joatmon]

The wiring diagrams I have say that the positive and ground for all the lights in the center dash come from "splice point I7" (eye 7)

Here's a pic showing where I7 is located.

I7.jpg (64.02 KiB) Viewed 103 times

You said you bought your 08 Vibe used, so maybe a previous owner did something odd in that area.

[steveassault]

Thanks for the replies! the wiring diagram is esp helpful as I feel it has something to do w a main power source rather than a bulb.