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Old Nov 25, 2016 | 05:10 PM
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Default c5 cluster Illumination

I just bought a 97 which I'm very happy with but I recently discovered there is no daytime Illumination of the gauges in the dash cluster. I have illumination at night when I use the head lights but not in daylight. I was wondering if the cluster is not engineered to illuminate in daylight. Please help clarify.
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Old Nov 25, 2016 | 07:18 PM
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The dash cluster is lighted by UV bulbs on either side of the cluster which are lit when the lights are turned on. There is now illumination during the day.
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Old Nov 25, 2016 | 07:37 PM
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Default daytime illumination

Originally Posted by Road Runner
The dash cluster is lighted by UV bulbs on either side of the cluster which are lit when the lights are turned on. There is now illumination during the day.
Thank you for your input. You said there is NOW illumination did you mean NO illumination? I think there was a mistake when they engineered the 97. The cluster is very dark in the day light and I find myself spending to much time trying to read the guages. Thanks again!
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Old Nov 25, 2016 | 08:19 PM
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Originally Posted by snliv
Thank you for your input. You said there is NOW illumination did you mean NO illumination? I think there was a mistake when they engineered the 97. The cluster is very dark in the day light and I find myself spending to much time trying to read the guages. Thanks again!
He meant no illumination during the day. It's not a backlit cluster. It does have a backlit look at night due to the UV lights glowing the phosphors on the dial indicators and needles. If you look at it closely at night, you will see a purplish light glow on each side. Those are the UV bulbs.

Michael
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Old Nov 25, 2016 | 08:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Michael A
He meant no illumination during the day. It's not a backlit cluster. It does have a backlit look at night due to the UV lights glowing the phosphors on the dial indicators and needles. If you look at it closely at night, you will see a purplish light glow on each side. Those are the UV bulbs.

Michael
Thank You Michael!
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Old Nov 25, 2016 | 09:04 PM
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I changed the back of the gauges to white and that helps !!

I also love the heads up display !! unfortunately the early years didn't have that option? I believe.
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Old Nov 25, 2016 | 10:10 PM
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I never owned a car that had dash lights on during the day. They only came on with the headlights.

Last edited by JR-01; Nov 25, 2016 at 10:10 PM.
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Old Nov 25, 2016 | 10:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Pounder
I changed the back of the gauges to white and that helps !!

I also love the heads up display !! unfortunately the early years didn't have that option? I believe.
The white looks like it could do the trick but I don't think I'm ready to rip the cluster out.
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Old Nov 26, 2016 | 12:27 AM
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Originally Posted by JR-01
I never owned a car that had dash lights on during the day. They only came on with the headlights.
Some of the newer cars do have the gauges lit during the day with the lights off. I've driven a few Chrysler cars that have that feature (especially ones that have the gauges deeply set in the dash).
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Old Nov 26, 2016 | 07:36 AM
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Originally Posted by Vetteman Jack
Some of the newer cars do have the gauges lit during the day with the lights off. I've driven a few Chrysler cars that have that feature (especially ones that have the gauges deeply set in the dash).
I have a Sonata and the cluster lights brightly in the day!
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Old Nov 26, 2016 | 09:58 AM
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Originally Posted by Vetteman Jack
Some of the newer cars do have the gauges lit during the day with the lights off. I've driven a few Chrysler cars that have that feature (especially ones that have the gauges deeply set in the dash).
I figured some cars had the feature, just never owned one.
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Old Nov 26, 2016 | 09:05 PM
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I noticed on my 01 coupe that the gauges on the left side are a little dimmer than on the right. Anyone know how hard it is to replace a bulb? Or rather how hard is it to get to the bulb.
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Old Nov 27, 2016 | 12:28 AM
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There is a light sensor in the center of your dash and I want to say that in my car if it is dark enough outside it will turn the cluster lights on. But that might only be when the light switch is at least to the first position. I know that sensor controls several different lighting systems in the car depending upon the ambient light.
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