Instrument panel automatically dims on it's own during the day.

[billroth]

Just replaced the headlight and dimmer switch., about a 2 hour project That corrected the problem I wrote about eariler about the headlights not coming on. BUT now when I start the car, the instrument lights turns on bright for daylight driving, when, within a couple of seconds it goes to a dim light, the lighting used at night. It is hard to see during the day. I can't remember if was a problem before B4 I put in the new switch., but I don't think so. Is there light sensor that dims the instrument panel light or did I screw up some installing the switch. Using the dimming protion on the headlight switch has no effect. ad Can't win!

 

[JonM]

The sensor is the little hole in the upper left of the panel....just near the light switch. It may have gone bad...you can try to locate one that matches...send the whole panel out to be fixed...sor solder the two points of the sensor togther.

 

[billroth]

Boy that was quick! Thank you I will check into it. I am not excited about pulling the dash again!

Bill

 

[billroth]

Auto dimming

The sensor is the little hole in the upper left of the panel....just near the light switch. It may have gone bad...you can try to locate one that matches...send the whole panel out to be fixed...sor solder the two points of the sensor togther.

I believe I found the problem. I also thought what was the last thing it did to the car and I remembered that after putting in a new headlight switch I also installed new woodgrain panels on the dash and console. I took a look at my tech book and noticed the little square that is the sensor is situated wasn't there. Well the woodgrain overlay doesn't have the little square hole to let the light in to allow the sensor to work. It always thinks it is dark. Now I have to go to a friend house to measure exactlylocation where that openning is. The adhesive would be impossible to remove from the insturment bezel and I don't want to take apart the dash again. I have practiced with a small piece of the overlay and will be taking a Dremel tool and make a square to let the light shine in. I hope it works! Thanks again for your help, if it wasn't for your comments I won't have looked for the sensor!

Thank you VERY much!
Bill

 

[JonM]

Glad I could help...Its acually a funny story...Kinda :crazy

 

[WhalePirot]

It's not that hard to pull just that portion of the dash. I'd pull it and drill a small hole through YOUR hole, EXACTLY where it is, from the back side with the face firmly against some sacrificial wood. Then dress it up with the Dremel, as you planned.

When I measure and try to hit a 'remote' hole, I never get it exact. All your effort and a possible 'miss'? The time you might save by not pulling that one panel may haunt you for years, every time you look at the dash.

I am surprised that they sent you a panel with no hole. Hell, I'd be on the phone!

 

[Vettefan87]

Yeah I agree with both things said. For one if you miss that would be horrible, and you would really be peeved, and I cant believe they would sent you one withought the hole for the photocell.