Dimmer switch not working properly...?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,050
Likes: 35
From: At the Office (in NC)
Dimmer switch not working properly...?
So I have an 02 coupe with HUD, bought it used earlier this year. The dimmer slider for the HUD WORKS FINE. However the dimmer for the dash lights is giving me issues... read on...
When I got it the dimmer for the dash lights worked but poorly. If you had it on a full blast, it'd be full light, however if you moved it the SLIGHTEST bit, it'd basically black out the dash (and my boost gauge which is wired to the dash lights). This didn't bother me much as I usually have the dash lights on at full blast.
Last night I adjusted the dimmer a bit and it worked after a little trial and error, however today if I turn them all the way back up... they won't go full bright. I don't get very dim light. If I toy with the dimmer for a bit they'll come back on full bright for anywhere from 1 sec to 3-4 mins but eventually go dim again.
Would buying a replacement dimmer fix this or is it more likely an electrical issue?
When I got it the dimmer for the dash lights worked but poorly. If you had it on a full blast, it'd be full light, however if you moved it the SLIGHTEST bit, it'd basically black out the dash (and my boost gauge which is wired to the dash lights). This didn't bother me much as I usually have the dash lights on at full blast.
Last night I adjusted the dimmer a bit and it worked after a little trial and error, however today if I turn them all the way back up... they won't go full bright. I don't get very dim light. If I toy with the dimmer for a bit they'll come back on full bright for anywhere from 1 sec to 3-4 mins but eventually go dim again.
Would buying a replacement dimmer fix this or is it more likely an electrical issue?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,835
Likes: 302
From: Columbia SC
Would buying a replacement dimmer fix this or is it more likely an electrical issue?[/QUOTE]
Sounds like the potentiometer is bad. Not sure if it might be something you could fix once you removed it. Either the contact area is crapped up or something is loose. You could get lucky and maybe it is just a loose connector pin.
Sounds like the potentiometer is bad. Not sure if it might be something you could fix once you removed it. Either the contact area is crapped up or something is loose. You could get lucky and maybe it is just a loose connector pin.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,050
Likes: 35
From: At the Office (in NC)
Where is the potentiometer located? Is it part of the dimmer assembly or elsewhere?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,050
Likes: 35
From: At the Office (in NC)
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 54
Likes: 2
From: Alexandria Pa
Like he said unless there is a loose connection, and also it's not good to run any LED at full brightness causes premature failure, I run my instruments at just under full brightness
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,050
Likes: 35
From: At the Office (in NC)
Are the factory dash lights LED? I didn't think they were. Unless you were referring to me replacing them.
And usually I run them at full or just under, but the way the dimmer was when I bought the car prohibited it
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 54
Likes: 2
From: Alexandria Pa
I'll replace it then. Hopefully it isn't a loose connection or I'll be out of a few bucks with no fix
Are the factory dash lights LED? I didn't think they were. Unless you were referring to me replacing them.
And usually I run them at full or just under, but the way the dimmer was when I bought the car prohibited it
Are the factory dash lights LED? I didn't think they were. Unless you were referring to me replacing them.
And usually I run them at full or just under, but the way the dimmer was when I bought the car prohibited it
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,835
Likes: 302
From: Columbia SC
Sorry, but the dimmer is a variable resistor called a potentiometer. As you rotate it the resistance goes up or down to vary the voltage. Here is the DIY for removing the IPC to access the switch. May look like a big deal but it really isn't. You can do it yourself. Feel free to PM me if you want to discuss on the phone. If you have a manual transmission you don't have to remove the shift ****. The boot can lift up and rotate out of the console and remain on the shifter.
http://www.vetteessentials.com/instr...zel_howto.html
http://www.vetteessentials.com/instr...zel_howto.html
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,050
Likes: 35
From: At the Office (in NC)
Geez, can't believe you have to pull all of the center console apart to get to the gauge cluster.
I can do it, but I just put in a new stereo a month ago so I'm just not thrilled about pulling all that stuff apart again lol.
I can do it, but I just put in a new stereo a month ago so I'm just not thrilled about pulling all that stuff apart again lol.