Nissan Repair: problem with back lights and dashboard light, neutral safety switch, dashboard lights

Question
QUESTION: hello,
       i own a nissan sunny 86 model. recently i have problems with the back and dashboard lights. these lights üsually turn on automatically when the car turns on. of recent the lights fail to come on when i turn on the car. the headlights, trafic light, and brake lights are ok. i have checked the fuse compartment and all the fuses seem to be ok. i tried palying with the light turner on the steering, but it does not help. this has left me helpless as i can't drive out without the cops stopping me. please i really need your help.

        thanks and hope to hear from you.

ANSWER: Nelson,

The instrument lights are usually associated with the dimmer switch for the dash lights.  If this is good then the headlight switch is defective.  The backup lights, if the bulbs are good, are going to be the reverse switch.  If you have a manual check the switch on the shifter, transmission, if an automatic the neutral safety switch.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: hello Von,
         thanks for your answer, i appreciate your time and concern but i still have some little worry. i don't know how to go about with the check or adjustment of the switch like your requested. i am new to cars and repairs, so i will really appreciate if you explain it to me in simple terms. another little problem which i forgot to tell you yesterday is that the steering seems very strong and heavy, any clue on how to make it lighter and smoother?.
   thanks once again, it will be my pleasure to read from you again.

Answer
Nelson,

On the steering check the power steering under the hood for fluid and to see that the pump is working.  The belt is on?  If all is there and the steering is hard then you probably need a new pump.

The dash light dimmer is the knob on the dash that you use to dim the lights.  It can fail and it is a matter of pulling the switch to get the wires and short them together to see if the instrument lights come back on.  If no lights and the light fuse is good the dimmer is fine and the headlight switch will need to be replaced.  If there are lights then the dimmer switch needs to be replaced.

The reverse lights are connected to the reverse light switch.  If an automatic the neutral safety switch would have to be replaced and if a manual the reverse light switch would have to be replaced.  Get a Haynes Manual or a factory service manual to see how they come off.  rockauto.com or courtesynissan.com are both good and cheap sources for the correct parts.