Since I bought our Rapid Spaceback a month ago, I noticed a peculiar thing - the instrument panel lights up (speedo etc.) when the ignition is on, whether the headlights/sidelights are switched on or not.

 

Used it last night for the first time in a couple of weeks - and found the instrument panel lights go off after a minute or so, then come back on when I put the side or headlamps on. The instrument needles remain lit all the time. If I turn the ignition off, then back on again - the panel lights up!

 

Am I going bonkers, do they all do this, or do I have a fault? Which might go away?

 

Cheers - Richard

 

Car is a 2014 Spaceback 1.6tdi

Edited 3 June, 201511 yr by RMurphy195

Yes - that is completely normal. Nothing to worry about.

Dash lights up on pre-ignition to aid visibility in case you are in a dark car park etc, then goes off after the car starts. Like the rest of the in-car instrument illumination, it's linked to the headlight switch so will come on if you then turn on the headlights to either the first or second position.

Yes - that is completely normal. Nothing to worry about.

Dash lights up on pre-ignition to aid visibility in case you are in a dark car park etc, then goes off after the car starts. Like the rest of the in-car instrument illumination, it's linked to the headlight switch so will come on if you then turn on the headlights to either the first or second position.

It's not only that, the instrument panel comes with an illimunation sensor:

 

In fact, they have had so many complaints about it, that they issued a TPI a few months ago.

 

 

 

Technical product information 2039120/1:

 

Explain to the customer that the complaint about the instrument panel is not justified in this case and

explain him the illumination sensor function:

• In the position „0” of the headlight switch (if ignition is on), only the needles of the speedometer

and revolution counter may be illuminated; the illumination sensor is though active.

• If the instrument is exposed to sharp light (e.g. sunlight), the illumination sensor reacts and

increases the intensity of the illumination of the whole instrument panel.

• If the vehicle drives into a dark area (e.g. a tunnel), the intensity of the instrument panel

illumination is reduced.

It's not only that, the instrument panel comes with an illimunation sensor:

illum_sens.jpg

 

In fact, they have had so many complaints about it, that they issued a TPI a few months ago.

 

 

 

Technical product information 2039120/1:

 

Explain to the customer that the complaint about the instrument panel is not justified in this case and

explain him the illumination sensor function:

• In the position „0” of the headlight switch (if ignition is on), only the needles of the speedometer

and revolution counter may be illuminated; the illumination sensor is though active.

• If the instrument is exposed to sharp light (e.g. sunlight), the illumination sensor reacts and

increases the intensity of the illumination of the whole instrument panel.

• If the vehicle drives into a dark area (e.g. a tunnel), the intensity of the instrument panel

illumination is reduced.

 

The same happens on the Toledo as in the Rapid. There is/was a certain area in the instrument cluster on my Citigo (now sold) where the sensor was located, if you cupped your hand over it to block the light the needles on the gauges use to dim/illuminate. 

Well, it seems I'm not going bonkers then - yet! We'll check my mental health after a few years of ownership ....

 

Back to the rubbishy, badly-translated owners handbook then.

 

Realistically, I did wonder if it was all controlled by some sort of light-sensitive sensor but then I though "Nah, why on earth would anyone bother with that?"

 

Ho hum

The wife's GitiGo dash lights up when you go through a tunnel. 

 

Simply Clever

Well, it seems I'm not going bonkers then - yet! We'll check my mental health after a few years of ownership ....

 

Back to the rubbishy, badly-translated owners handbook then.

 

Realistically, I did wonder if it was all controlled by some sort of light-sensitive sensor but then I though "Nah, why on earth would anyone bother with that?"

 

Ho hum

The SEAT handbook is worse. The stop-start on my didnt work for 6 months because of a limiting factor not in the manual. Someone on here found me the answer in the Rapid manual instead.

Cheers whoever you are.

Since I bought our Rapid Spaceback a month ago, I noticed a peculiar thing - the instrument panel lights up (speedo etc.) when the ignition is on, whether the headlights/sidelights are switched on or not.

 

Used it last night for the first time in a couple of weeks - and found the instrument panel lights go off after a minute or so, then come back on when I put the side or headlamps on. The instrument needles remain lit all the time. If I turn the ignition off, then back on again - the panel lights up!

All normal.  My Yeti works exactly the same.  A bit annoying IMO but not a fault.

 

Cheers

 

Rog

 

 

• In the position „0” of the headlight switch:

• If the vehicle drives into a dark area (e.g. a tunnel), the intensity of the instrument panel

illumination is reduced.

 

The same for the Fabia III.

 

At first I was not amused. But really it is a clever reminder of shifting from DRL to proper head- and rearlight.

All same n my Spaceback, and have double-checked since original post - all working as it should.

Thanks for clarification eyegr

The same happens on the Toledo as in the Rapid.

Not exactly... My doesn't...

Can anyone check coding in IC section (or take picture from VCDS), please?

^^^ Press your hand over the LH part of the instrument panel (rev/temp dial) to block the light, wait 10 secs the dials should dim.

^^^ Press your hand over the LH part of the instrument panel (rev/temp dial) to block the light, wait 10 secs the dials should dim.

...doesn't work... :(

^^^^ Seat Toledo, which spec?

Toledo S with Maxi Dot display and with the multifunction steering wheel...

There is no manual regulation for backlight IC.

I totally thought mine was broken too, then I realised it would dim in low light. As mentioned I assume it's so you're not driving round in the dark thinking your lights are on.