Problem with dashboard lights...

[Paradox Lost]

I usually drive with the dash light intensity on maximum, and as all you owners know (at least with the Si- not sure about the other models), there is a big leap in intensity between highest and second highest settings.

I was driving tonight for a little over half an hour, stopped and shut the car off for a few minutes, and then came back to it. When I turned it on this time, I noticed that the dash lights- the fuel, temperature, tach, and spedo bacs- were dimmer (except for the CD player bacs). I played around with the settings, reducing them and bringing them back up, and it seems fine when dimming it out, but it's not going back up to maximum intensity. It still beeps when it gets to the highest level, but it doesn't light up the way it used to. Not sure if it's only maximum that not working, or if the interval settings are somewhat off.

So I'm wondering if there is any quick diagnosis/fix for this- could it just be a matter of replacing a burned out bulb(s)? I'd rather not take it to the dealership, as they'd probably have it for most of the day.

Anyone have any ideas?

[imtim25]

was your engine and headlights on?

for me,
engine is off w/ the headlights on = dimmer at max
engine is on w/ the headlights on = brighter at max

hope that helps.

[chylld]

on my car i have to press and hold the brightness button until it stops getting brighter and beeps, then let go and press it again and it will go to the brightest setting and beep again.

[CANMAN]

Yeah its the weirdest thing you posted this up cuz the same thing happened to me the other night. I was sitting in a parking light with my parking lights only on and noticed the dash was dim and wouldn't come all the way back up but it was beeping and the little O's in the dash were light up all the way.The first guys post makes sense but to tell you the truth I have never paid attention to the dash dimming at night when the headlight are turned off. My problem resolved itself by the time I got home although even with the headlights on it wouldn't come back up to the brightest setting? I will check out tonight if it does dim down when only the parking lights/nothing on and will report back.
CANMAN

[radiocontrolhead]

The way I noticed how to get to the brightest dash setting was to set it to the maximum by repeatedly pressing the "+" until no change was aparant. After that, I pressed and held that same button until the maximum brightness level appeared. It takes about one second.

I believe the instructions are also available in the owner's manual.

[Paradox Lost]

Originally Posted by imtim25

was your engine and headlights on?

for me,
engine is off w/ the headlights on = dimmer at max
engine is on w/ the headlights on = brighter at max

hope that helps.

That's a good recommendation, as I've never really bothered to take notice of the difference in dash intensity when the engine and lights were off/on, but whatever difference it makes, I'm sure it wasn't to the extent that I'm experiencing now. The level is on max for sure, and it's as if the lights are set to an entirely lower level.

Originally Posted by radiocontrolhead

The way I noticed how to get to the brightest dash setting was to set it to the maximum by repeatedly pressing the "+" until no change was aparant. After that, I pressed and held that same button until the maximum brightness level appeared. It takes about one second.

I believe the instructions are also available in the owner's manual.

I've been adjusting the lights the same way I've been doing it since I got the car, which is the way you described- on that last "beep", when the lights suddenly start to glow, very little happens. Like I said, not sure if all the intervals are off or just the max setting, but it's definitely dimmer.