Instrument Gauge Lighting

[BonesE55]

Hi Folks,

Brand new to the forum here and am trying to fix what someone else should have installed correctly to begin with. My girlfriend has an '03 GT that had the gauges upgraded to a GTS with white faces. (Apologize if I have some details incorrect as I know little about these cars). The backlights do not illuminate, but the needles and digital fuel gauge do work. From what I have read, these are separate and driven by the two plugs in the back. I've just removed the instrument cluster and have found a box labeled "Epicenter" which has 4 connections. Two are going to positive and ground beneath the steering column and have confirmed power. The third is going to a dimmer of some kind. The fourth is going to cluster itself via a thin computer-like cable which I assume only connects to the thin white backing.

What exactly causes this thing to illuminate? I see 4 bulbs from the back of the cluster which pop out and I assume they're for the turn signals and whatever other lights are there. Does the entire backing illuminate or are there individual bulbs that light the whole thing? I find it hard to believe that every bulb would be out.

Without knowing the history of the car or the installation and my girlfriend's detailed story of "I don't really know what they did, but it never worked" leaves me at the mercy of the forum that can probably pinpoint exactly what it is.

At this point, not sure if it's worth troubleshooting anymore or just buy one of these $25 gauge face kits off of eBay. I would like to know if that's the issue though.

All help is much appreciated.

Thanks

[BonesE55]

Anyone? Hoping to do something today or tomorrow...

[Hoopz731]

I cant help sorry, the same thing happened to me so i'd like to know the answer as well