My Lexus ES 250 dashboard light has stopped working. I need help, what to do?

I always like to think of a wire somewhere just quitting when something goes wrong with my car.

You might be able to figure out what’s wrong with one of those diagnostic computers. I was able to use the one at an Autozone last time I needed one, gratis. It might be as simple as a bug in the software.

Another possibility is a bulb, which requires ripping apart the dash; not something I want to do, and I doubt you do either. Then again, my Corolla still has it’s original dash lights (except for the blown one in the factory radio) after 26 years, so I would file it under “possible but unlikely”.

@jerv My Corolla (‘02) lost the bulb powering the AC control illumination. And the dome light, but eh. This way, I won’t have to worry about draining the battery!

Are you sure you didn’t turn it off? Maybe playing with one of the controls? Check the drivers manual and see how to adjust the lights on the dash. If it’s the entire dash I would think it isn’t a bulb? I would assume there is more than one bulb across the dash, radio, etc? Athough, I am not a car expert that’s for sure.

@JLeslie Yeah, I’ve hit that dimmer knob a few times myself.

Check to see if the rear running and brake lights work, the fuse for the rear lights is usually on the circuit as the dash.

Double check ALL fuses, take them out and look across the fuse.

All the fuses are great but If the alternator is possibly broken would it affect my dashoard?
Just recently the alternator had sparked on the ground and caused all the lights on my car to go out except for the headlights and the door lights.

@beautiful21 I think if your car starts it isn’t your alternator. But, if there was an incident like that it could have blown something?

@JLeslie Actually, if the car runs for more than a few minutes without dying so hard that you have no hope of cranking it, it isn’t the alternator. Been there, done that.

@jerv If the battery is so low that the lights are dead, probably the car would not start.

My husband had a troubled alternator, and his car would start until he had to put the lights on. Then there was no hopeof starting the car without an outside charge.

@JLeslie Dead alternator = nothing to keep the spark plugs sparking once the battery is drained, and the battery won’t recharge itself as you drive, so it won’t be long until it is drained.
“Troubled” alternator = that usually means a bad voltage regulator, but that would affect the entire electrical system, including the engine (like the spark plugs).

@jerv I think we are agreeing? Or, not?