Volvo Repair: 96 965 dashboard lillumination lights all go out, illumination lights, dashboard light

Question
Regis,
First thanks for replying.
I just acquired a 1996 960 wagon, 2.9L I-6. The dashboard illumination lights turn on normally when the exterior lights are turned on, but then they go off. Sometimes they go off by themselves after less than a minute, other times they go out if you use a turn signal or change the headlights from/to high or low beams. I'm stumped. Could this be a bad headlight/dashboard light dimmer switch assy? If so is there a way to test the assy or is it just replace and pray.

Thanks,

Larry in PA

Answer
Rege in FL formerly from PGH. PA.go steelers.ok enough about me.

one thing I have seen is the wiring behind the instrument cluster short out on a bracket.you will need to remove the lower dash cover panel under drivers side of dash should be 2 torx 25 screws then you will need to remove the metal knee bolster behind this panel if you look up from under the dash towards the back of the cluster on the side that would be closest to the door you will see a bracket and some wires coming off the back of the cluster.the wires may also be wrapped with a foam piece.this piece of harness sometimes shorts out on the bracket causing the lights to go out.