Carmine97

IIRC, on my '97 the illumination level on displays like the DIC, radio display and A/C temp display were brightest with the running lights/headlights OFF and dimmed when you turned those lights on.

On my '03 AE coupe the displays are dimmest when the running lights/headlights are OFF and brighten when I turn either ON.

This seems totally bass-ackwards.

They are so dim as to be unreadable with the transparent targa roof on a sunny day.

What's right?

Road Runner

That’s correct. During the day the cabin is normally well lit so the lights need to be brighter but at night they dim so the contrast doesn’t distract the driver but you can raise the lighting level using the dome light control.

Carmine97

That's my point. My AE is DIMMEST during the day and brighter at night. Exactly backwards from what you would expect!

Road Runner

Check the dome light switch - in effect - turn it “down”, this will lower the brightness at night.

Carmine97

RR, again, you're not getting the PROBLEM.

Night level is OK Doesn't matter and I know how to vary it if I care to.

=====>>DAYTIME LEVEL IS TOO DIM!!!!!<<=====

Can't see the DIC info on a sunny day without turning the running lights on.

Day mode should be brighter than night mode and it ISN'T!

Something's screwed up.

Road Runner

OK - I’m slow. There is a sensor on the dash near the center ‘grill’ that triggers the daytime dash light level. It evidently isn’t working. Unfortunately it maybe difficult to get to - I don’t know how it is held in place., but I would start there. Sorry about my confusion.

Carmine97

FX VETTE

Subscribed for solution

Kiddbats

I thought the one by the grill was for the A.C. to compensate for the heat of t he sun and there is a sensor on top of the DIC buttons for the lights?

Carmine97

AE Guyand all others: The Solution!!

When the running lights/headlights are on (night mode) the brightness of the dash is controlled by the Instrument Panel Brightness Control on the left edge of the instrument cluster. This was working.

When the running lights/headlights are off (day mode) the brightness of the dashboard is controlled by the sensor just above the [FUEL] button on the DIC control panel.
The lights were terribly dim all the time.

BUT, if you clean off the schmutz that was all over the sensor & plugging its' vision....YAY everything works properly now!
I can keep and eye on things now during the day.

BTW, the sensor up in the defroster grill seems to be for the Twilight Sentinel® option that is present on my AE Coupe.

FX VETTE

Gracias Amigo, good to know