When should dash light up?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 919
Likes: 0
From: Kiersteadville New Brunswick
When should dash light up?
'87 Vette.
I replaced the four bulbs in the digital dash and now it lights up beautifully and everything works. I mentioned in a separate post that when I have the ignition on, "on" without the car running I have the display of the temp on the climate control unit but when I pull out the headlight switch to put the headlights on, the display goes off. It was mentioned to clean the headlight switch, which I have done. I now have the dimming function working but still have the issue of the Temp. display going off when I pull out the headlight switch. Everything else on the entire dash, radio, info. centre and climate control dims as it should.
What really puzzles me is when should the dash light up. Is the dash only supposed to light up when the car is running or ignition in the "on" position? Most cars I have owned have the dash lighting up when the headlights are put on regardless on if the car is running or not.
I replaced the four bulbs in the digital dash and now it lights up beautifully and everything works. I mentioned in a separate post that when I have the ignition on, "on" without the car running I have the display of the temp on the climate control unit but when I pull out the headlight switch to put the headlights on, the display goes off. It was mentioned to clean the headlight switch, which I have done. I now have the dimming function working but still have the issue of the Temp. display going off when I pull out the headlight switch. Everything else on the entire dash, radio, info. centre and climate control dims as it should.
What really puzzles me is when should the dash light up. Is the dash only supposed to light up when the car is running or ignition in the "on" position? Most cars I have owned have the dash lighting up when the headlights are put on regardless on if the car is running or not.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,745
Likes: 275
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Hi without the headlights on the dash light brightness is controlled by the light sensor, a sunny day the dash will be bright and if you go thru a tunnel they will dim and be hard to see.
When i turn the headlights on the brightness seems to bypass the light /photo sensor and be regulated by turning the headlight switch ****.
Perhaps there is a bad connection if the dash lights worked ok before replacing the globes?
If i was not on holidays i could refer to my shop manual, maybe my bump will get some one posting the instrument light diagram
When i turn the headlights on the brightness seems to bypass the light /photo sensor and be regulated by turning the headlight switch ****.
Perhaps there is a bad connection if the dash lights worked ok before replacing the globes?
If i was not on holidays i could refer to my shop manual, maybe my bump will get some one posting the instrument light diagram
Last edited by gerardvg; Dec 6, 2011 at 04:25 AM. Reason: more info
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,624
Likes: 2
From: Canandaigua New York
'87 Vette.
I replaced the four bulbs in the digital dash and now it lights up beautifully and everything works. I mentioned in a separate post that when I have the ignition on, "on" without the car running I have the display of the temp on the climate control unit but when I pull out the headlight switch to put the headlights on, the display goes off. It was mentioned to clean the headlight switch, which I have done. I now have the dimming function working but still have the issue of the Temp. display going off when I pull out the headlight switch. Everything else on the entire dash, radio, info. centre and climate control dims as it should.
What really puzzles me is when should the dash light up. Is the dash only supposed to light up when the car is running or ignition in the "on" position?Most cars I have owned have the dash lighting up when the headlights are put on regardless on if the car is running or not.
I replaced the four bulbs in the digital dash and now it lights up beautifully and everything works. I mentioned in a separate post that when I have the ignition on, "on" without the car running I have the display of the temp on the climate control unit but when I pull out the headlight switch to put the headlights on, the display goes off. It was mentioned to clean the headlight switch, which I have done. I now have the dimming function working but still have the issue of the Temp. display going off when I pull out the headlight switch. Everything else on the entire dash, radio, info. centre and climate control dims as it should.
What really puzzles me is when should the dash light up. Is the dash only supposed to light up when the car is running or ignition in the "on" position?Most cars I have owned have the dash lighting up when the headlights are put on regardless on if the car is running or not.
Yes.
My 87 is the same way.
The confusion with the Digital display is that the 'dash lights' are really 'back lights' for the LCD display and therefore do not light up until the ignition is 'on'.
As far as the display on the Climate control is concerned.
Try pushing on the CC front panel with your finger, when it goes off.
It could be just a poor connection between the front display board and the control board. Happens on mine.
If it 'lights up' when you push on it, then you need to remove the CC and take it apart.
The front display board plugs into the Control board and the contacts need to be cleaned.
I used fine steel wool, but you can use 400 grit sand paper as well to clean them.
Last edited by Keystring; Dec 6, 2011 at 09:38 AM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 919
Likes: 0
From: Kiersteadville New Brunswick
Yes.
My 87 is the same way.
The confusion with the Digital display is that the 'dash lights' are really 'back lights' for the LCD display and therefore do not light up until the ignition is 'on'.
As far as the display on the Climate control is concerned.
Try pushing on the CC front panel with your finger, when it goes off.
It could be just a poor connection between the front display board and the control board. Happens on mine.
If it 'lights up' when you push on it, then you need to remove the CC and take it apart.
The front display board plugs into the Control board and the contacts need to be cleaned.
I used fine steel wool, but you can use 400 grit sand paper as well to clean them.
My 87 is the same way.
The confusion with the Digital display is that the 'dash lights' are really 'back lights' for the LCD display and therefore do not light up until the ignition is 'on'.
As far as the display on the Climate control is concerned.
Try pushing on the CC front panel with your finger, when it goes off.
It could be just a poor connection between the front display board and the control board. Happens on mine.
If it 'lights up' when you push on it, then you need to remove the CC and take it apart.
The front display board plugs into the Control board and the contacts need to be cleaned.
I used fine steel wool, but you can use 400 grit sand paper as well to clean them.
Exactly what I was looking for, thanks. And, I just went out and did what you suggested on the front panel of the climate control unit and it did light back up. I had to tap it several times before it would stay lit up. I have the dash apart already as I'm doing the Bose CD swap with my Bose cassette unit, so I will remove and clean the contacts on the CC as well.
Thank you for your suggestion.
Paul
