Dash Lights
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 594
Likes: 194
From: Back in North Central OH
Dash Lights
I haven't been able to find a definitive answer to this, but is there any way for the dashlights to stay illuminated when driving during the day? For instance, if it's overcast or I'm driving on a back road with trees lining both sides, I can't see the guages all that well. Everything lights up okay when the headlights or parking lights are on, but it would be nice to have the dash backlit during normal daylight driving.The HUD is some help but is there a setting or something I'm missing for the dashlights?
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 122
Likes: 61
From: Cato, WI
Great question! Sorry I have no answer, but appreciate the issue. My old eyes could use the extra contrast and illumination also. I have run with the parking lights on under some conditions.
Subscribed in hopes some one has the wiring diagrams or experience with this.
Ride safe -- Tom
Subscribed in hopes some one has the wiring diagrams or experience with this.
Ride safe -- Tom
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 137
Likes: 21
From: Denver, CO
St. Jude Donor '20
I haven't been able to find a definitive answer to this, but is there any way for the dashlights to stay illuminated when driving during the day? For instance, if it's overcast or I'm driving on a back road with trees lining both sides, I can't see the guages all that well. Everything lights up okay when the headlights or parking lights are on, but it would be nice to have the dash backlit during normal daylight driving.The HUD is some help but is there a setting or something I'm missing for the dashlights?
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 214
Likes: 44
New 03 Z owner here and I noticed that when I turn the key onto start the motor the parking lights come on ( book calls them daytime driving lights) and then I turn the light switch stick 1 click and the dash lights come on without moving the stick another notch forward to turn the headlights lights on. Maybe that's on an 03 what year is yours? and don't forget the brightness/dimmer adjustment switch.
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 594
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From: Back in North Central OH
Okay. I'll retry this. It could be that I turned the headlights on and then back to parking lights to replace a bezel and work on a bump stop and got the impression that the headlights stayed up with the parking lamps only on. If just going one click to parking lamps gives me dash lights without the headlights being exposed, problem solved. Thanks to everyone for your input.
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I agree. When you just turn on the parking lights, the headlights should stay down. That's the way my '03 worked.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 449
Likes: 158
From: Aiken, SC
To piggy back, I've noticed if you have the headlights on, then turn the stalk one click back to parking lights, the headlights will stay up but turn off. Mine work the same way as everyone else has mentioned otherwise
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2019
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From: Back in North Central OH
My headlights are still popping up in the park light mode so I must have another issue. The right headlight has the dreaded grinding noise after closing and I read somewhere that this could cause the functionality of the system to not operate properly. I guess I have the "gear in the headlights" look at this point.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
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From: cold & windy
if it's dark enough to not read your gauges clearly, you need your lights on anyway, so turning on the parking lamps at a minimum is a great idea.
i never realized until i rented a new-fangled car earlier this year how much those constantly-lit dash screens drain your situational awareness. i always wondered how all those idiots drove around at night with their lights off & didn't notice... now i see that between the DRLs & the instruments always being lit, they just can't otherwise tell without looking at the switch.
i never realized until i rented a new-fangled car earlier this year how much those constantly-lit dash screens drain your situational awareness. i always wondered how all those idiots drove around at night with their lights off & didn't notice... now i see that between the DRLs & the instruments always being lit, they just can't otherwise tell without looking at the switch.