LS400 4 FUN

I had a similar problem with my lights, for 7 months I searched for an answer trying all of the solutions presented in this forum. Finally a mechanic suggested that I Make sure that the circuit was grounded. I removed the ash tray and found the wire that powers the light in the ashtray, connected a wire to the ground and a screw on the body of the car and all of the backlighting came on for the radio, climate control, ash tray light and shift indicator. Oh Happy day!!! After 7 months of darkness this was resolved by simply grounding the circuit. Time required 3 minutes, cost: a wire and a connector, .50. Problem solved with the stereo backlighting. I reheated most of the solder points in the back left corner of the lower circuit board, including some components I did find that were loose and now the backlights all work. I can not tell you which specifically solved the issue so I may have soldered more than necessary.

:( I just bought a 95 LS400 and have the same issues (climate control LCD is backlit, climate control buttons are not (appears the (5) bulbs are all dead), radio/stereo there is no backlighting at all (have checked each bulb and they are fine). I'm going to try the ground wire solution noted in this thread for the stereo and replace the climate control bulbs with parts from Radio Shack. I have seen a previous topic (from around 2004) where a little soldering to the radio/stereo fixed that issue? Does anyone know what specifically needs to be soldered? I can provide photos of the stereo with both the upper and lower circuit boards exposed. Thanks. I had a similar problem with my lights, for 7 months I searched for an answer trying all of the solutions presented in this forum. Finally a mechanic suggested that I Make sure that the circuit was grounded. I removed the ash tray and found the wire that powers the light in the ashtray, connected a wire to the ground and a screw on the body of the car and all of the backlighting came on for the radio, climate control, ash tray light and shift indicator. Oh Happy day!!! After 7 months of darkness this was resolved by simply grounding the circuit. Time required 3 minutes, cost: a wire and a connector, .50.