Before I start looking with a multimeter etc I just wondered if anyone has this problem before.

 

1)With the lights off, the radio and climatronics leds work as expected.

2) Putting the light switch to sidelights or main lights, the climatronics leds go to minimum brightness (almost off) but the speedo etc on the dashboard are at full brightness. Radio is full brightness. Brightness control has no effect.

3) When switching on the lights, the climatronics leds go to dim but only after a fraction of second delay at full brightness.

 

The last line above suggest that the dimming to almost off is software controlled.

I did a scan and no faults.

I pushed and pulled on the wiring connector to the dimmer control to no effect.

 

My thought now is that the controller is not reading a voltage from the dimmer control.

 

I took out the main lighting switch so I could remove the trim around the dimmer control but nothing seems to unclip. Anyone done this?

 

My next step is maybe disconnect the battery for a short time but I still think the cause is probably a failed dimmer potentiometer.

Any comments?

 

Mike

 

 

 

A quick update.

I disconnected the battery and reconnected it after five minutes with no change to the problem

However, I went out last night and everything worked as expected with full control of illumination from the dash and control panel lighting dimmer.

 

Today I checked again and when the lighting switch is placed in sidelight or main lights positions, the LEDS on the climatronic  panel and heater panel are reduced to a very low illumination.

 

So, the climatronic panel and heater controls illumination is dependent on whether the light sensor thinks it is dark outside or not.

 

I first encountered the problem in heavy rain during daylight when I switched on my headlights and wanted to see if the climatronic unit was set to auto (to reduce the humidity) but could not see any LEDs lit.

Could anyone check their car please to see if this is a unique problem or not?

Thanks

Edited 21 August, 20205 yr by pikpilot