Quite a common concern for NA owners is the dashboard illumination not working. This can be caused by inadvertent removal of a “short bar connector” that is behind one of the switch blanks to the right of the steering column, for example when using the switch blank position for another switch.
Depending on the spec of the MX-5/Roadster, it may have been supplied with a dashboard illumination dimmer switch (left) which would have the blue connector plugged into it. If this is not fitted, then the blue plug (right) should be plugged into a switch blank with a cream coloured back (centre).
In this type of switch blank has a short bar connector that bridges the Black and the Red wires in the connector where a dimmer switch is not used. This switch blank must have the blue connector plugged into it to retain dashboard illumination.
