This morning was not bright and sunny, what the forecasters call overcast. Started up as normal but the instrument back lighting failed to come on - the pointers lit up as normal. I checked the operation of the illumination in the usual manner a] Switch on sidelights and b] Switch on interior front lights. - All OK It was just too dark outside for the illumination to be switched up to light the instruments. Daylight was more than adequate to drive without lights (the DRLs were on ) but not enough for the instrument photocell to register. Most irritating.

I do wish there was a way to disable the photocell using the Maxidot.

Edited 15 December, 201015 yr by Terfyn

This morning was not bright and sunny, what the forecasters call overcast. Started up as normal but the instrument back lighting failed to come on - the pointers lit up as normal. I checked the operation of the illumination in the usual manner a] Switch on sidelights and b] Switch on interior front lights. - All OK It was just too dark outside for the illumination to be switched up to light the instruments. Daylight was more than adequate to drive without lights (the DRLs were on ) but not enough for the instrument photocell to register. Most irritating.

I do wish there was a way to disable the photocell using the Maxidot.

My personal rule - if it's dim enough to need the instrument lighting on it's dim enough to put the main lights on.

The automatic lights tend to agree with me (which I'm not sure is supportive or detractive to my argument!)

But to answer your question, I don't think this a user selectable option via maxidot.

Ngee

Agreed.

Terfyn,

teacher says stop moaning and turn your lights on properly in future!!

My personal rule - if it's dim enough to need the instrument lighting on it's dim enough to put the main lights on.

The automatic lights tend to agree with me (which I'm not sure is supportive or detractive to my argument!)

But to answer your question, I don't think this a user selectable option via maxidot.

Ngee

I do agree. But it wasn't that dark as to justify the main lights. I use the main lights in twilight and in stormy conditions but this was just an overcast day.

I think the photocell on my car is not quite as sensitive as I would like and will dim the lights in dull day conditions.

What I cannot sort out yet is that the instrument lights are sensitive to the two front spotlights. Spotlights ON - instrument lights up, Spotlights Off - lights dim away. Uncanny.

i would agree with graham.

if you really want the instrument lights on without headlights, then just turn on the sidelights (sorry, parking lights)

I do agree. But it wasn't that dark as to justify the main lights. I use the main lights in twilight and in stormy conditions but this was just an overcast day.

I think the photocell on my car is not quite as sensitive as I would like and will dim the lights in dull day conditions.

What I cannot sort out yet is that the instrument lights are sensitive to the two front spotlights. Spotlights ON - instrument lights up, Spotlights Off - lights dim away. Uncanny.

Wot spotlights?

My Yeti hasn't got spotlights!

Wot spotlights?

My Yeti hasn't got spotlights!

You would probably refer to them as interior or reading lamps. I refer to them as spotlights or super troopers. They are there to help you read maps when your Sat Nav has left you in a bog. For some reason they have a positive effect on the instrument lighting.

Wot spotlights?

My Yeti hasn't got spotlights!

I thought every model had the spotlights?!

Ive noticled the link also with the spotlights but I usually have the blind back on the roof and just take advantage of the additional natural light in the cabin - surprisingly good even in the dark from the overhead street lamps. :p

I think the interior light sensor is the black round dot you see in the attached picture just above the two blank buttons between Auto and AC. Thus when you switch your "spotlights" on they shine directly on this sensor and hence the instruments dim.

Sorry, but in automotive terms spotlights are what are fitted to the front of a car to give a pencil beam. Them things inside are map reading lights! :wonder:

I think the interior light sensor is the black round dot you see in the attached picture just above the two blank buttons between Auto and AC. Thus when you switch your "spotlights" on they shine directly on this sensor and hence the instruments dim.

No Sorry . It is the Interior Temperature Sensor

See Drivers Manual Page 103 - "NOTE: Below the top row of buttonsis located the interior temperature sensor. Do not glue or cover over the sensor, otherwise it could have anunfavourable effect on the Climatronic."

Regards..................

THE GREAT YETI

No Sorry . It is the Interior Temperature Sensor

See Drivers Manual Page 103 - "NOTE: Below the top row of buttonsis located the interior temperature sensor. Do not glue or cover over the sensor, otherwise it could have anunfavourable effect on the Climatronic."

Regards..................

THE GREAT YETI

Aha! I stand corrected! But if the interior map lights do change the instrument lighting like that the photocell for that can't be for away from the centre console either!

@90000: for the first time (I think), you're wrong )))

This is the inside temperature sensor.

The small dark thing with a bump in the center of the dashboard just under the windscreen is the sunlight penetration photosensor (hope you can find it).

Let the testing start in 3... 2... 1...

Edited 16 December, 201015 yr by sebast

@90000: for the first time (I think), you're wrong )))

This is the inside temperature sensor.

The small dark thing with a bump in the center of the dashboard just under the windscreen is the sunlight penetration photosensor (hope you can find it).

I might have a number for a profile name but a robot I'm not. So being a human I can be wrong too! Or maybe 900000 is right and Johann is human? Hehehe But in saying all that I did say "I think..." So I did not profess my thinking was the truth!

Aha! I stand corrected! But if the interior map lights do change the instrument lighting like that the photocell for that can't be for away from the centre console either!

I suspect that the CANBUS is reading that they are on and makes the change itself - To prove it try it with the lights off and shine a bright light around the interior? What do you think??

Cannot try it for myself as I do not have "Auto" lights or "coming home / leaving home" function

THE GREAT YETI

wll you lot stop posing conundrums like this. it's cold, dark and snowing outside.

but to answer the question, i have braved the elements and come up with this....

the instrument back lighting doesn't seem to be ambient light dependent, but linked to the headlight switch and drivers side interior map reading light.

if it was controlled by the ambient light sensor then the backlighting would stay on in the dark. (shining a torch on the sensor has no effect and, without auto lights, neither does driving in tunnels)

with ignition on and no lights on, the backlighting is on for a short time, then fades to off.

switch on the drivers map light and the backlighting comes on. switch off and it fades out

switch on the parking or headlights and the backlighting comes on. switch off and it also fades out.

with auto lights i suspect the backlighting would come on with the headlamps?

now perhaps one of you can tell me why, when you select full defrost, the fan doesn't go right up to full speed but 2 bars short??

wll you lot stop posing conundrums like this. it's cold, dark and snowing outside.

but to answer the question, i have braved the elements and come up with this....

the instrument back lighting doesn't seem to be ambient light dependent, but linked to the headlight switch and drivers side interior map reading light.

if it was controlled by the ambient light sensor then the backlighting would stay on in the dark. (shining a torch on the sensor has no effect and, without auto lights, neither does driving in tunnels)

with ignition on and no lights on, the backlighting is on for a short time, then fades to off.

switch on the drivers map light and the backlighting comes on. switch off and it fades out

switch on the parking or headlights and the backlighting comes on. switch off and it also fades out.

with auto lights i suspect the backlighting would come on with the headlamps?

now perhaps one of you can tell me why, when you select full defrost, the fan doesn't go right up to full speed but 2 bars short??

The CANBUS is busy checking the light switch?

I've got a migraine coming now, quick dim the lights!!

Sorry, but in automotive terms spotlights are what are fitted to the front of a car to give a pencil beam. Them things inside are map reading lights!

Ooooooooooooh In my experience, the pencil beam lights on the front of my cars were Driving Lights and the broad beam were Fog Lights. Ah Well

Had a super pair of driving lights, built into the grille, on a Mazda 6. Wish that Skoda would produce a replacement like that.

if it was controlled by the ambient light sensor then the backlighting would stay on in the dark. (shining a torch on the sensor has no effect and, without auto lights, neither does driving in tunnels)

Don't have "autolights" still the instrument lighting fades in darkened conditions such as tunnels (the A55 has three of them)

Edited 16 December, 201015 yr by Terfyn

Terfyn,

don't try to out pedant a confirmed pedant!!

Fog light: broad flat beam

Driving light: beam that can be either L shaped with the long part of the L along the kerb, or ^ shaped.

Spot light: narrow long range beam.

Google :

http://www.rallylights.com/hella/Beams.aspx

Edited 16 December, 201015 yr by Llanigraham

Terfyn,

don't try to out pedant a confirmed pedant!!

LOL

All I wanted to know was:- Why do my instrument lights go out when it goes dark outside?????

And, more important, which bit of wire do I tear out to stop it happening.

Edited 16 December, 201015 yr by Terfyn

LOL

All I wanted to know was:- Why do my instrument lights go out when it goes dark outside?????

to stop us from driving without lights at night?

Mike

Er - what was the question????

I think the interior light sensor is the black round dot you see in the attached picture just above the two blank buttons between Auto and AC. Thus when you switch your "spotlights" on they shine directly on this sensor and hence the instruments dim.

As others have said this is the interior temperature detector.

When the sun shines across the dashboard you can see the faint outlines of all the warning lights including those that you would have had if you had paid for the top model.

On my FL Octavia (that has illuminated needles but no instrument illumination unless the lights are on for some reason!) there is a simple circular "warning light" outline bottom right of the speedo at around the155mph mark. It is about 4 or 5mm diameter. Is this the ambient light detector? Does the Yeti have the same? Or does it use the signal from the autodimming mirror?

The small dark thing with a bump in the center of the dashboard just under the windscreen is the sunlight penetration photosensor (hope you can find it).

I take this as the ambient light detector. I don't think it's using the mirror sensors