Instrument Cluster Lighting
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 117
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From: FL
Instrument Cluster Lighting
Tonight I just encountered an error with the cluster not dimming at night when you turn on the headlamps. I made sure my rheostat was not turned past the notch but up until the notch right before you click over.. Any suggestions as to what could be the problem, car has 115k miles on it
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,729
Likes: 131
From: Toronto, Canada
Either the rheostat has shorted out, or the wire going behind the instrument cluster that tells the cluster the headlights are on has a problem.
Does the instrument cluster dim normally with the rheostat? Does the green light symbol illuminate on the dash when you turn the headlights on?
Does the instrument cluster dim normally with the rheostat? Does the green light symbol illuminate on the dash when you turn the headlights on?
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,841
Likes: 48
From: Montreal, Canada
The other component that you should check is the light sensor located on top of the dash, right below the windshield. Shine a bright light on it for about 1min, and see if it makes a difference.
It's Sensitivity is adjustable, by turning it one way or the other.It could also be defective.it wouldn't hurt to tap it lightly a few times.
Mae sure nothing is blocking it.
It's Sensitivity is adjustable, by turning it one way or the other.It could also be defective.it wouldn't hurt to tap it lightly a few times.
Mae sure nothing is blocking it.
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: FL
Either the rheostat has shorted out, or the wire going behind the instrument cluster that tells the cluster the headlights are on has a problem.
Does the instrument cluster dim normally with the rheostat? Does the green light symbol illuminate on the dash when you turn the headlights on?
Does the instrument cluster dim normally with the rheostat? Does the green light symbol illuminate on the dash when you turn the headlights on?
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: FL
The other component that you should check is the light sensor located on top of the dash, right below the windshield. Shine a bright light on it for about 1min, and see if it makes a difference.
It's Sensitivity is adjustable, by turning it one way or the other.It could also be defective.it wouldn't hurt to tap it lightly a few times.
Mae sure nothing is blocking it.
It's Sensitivity is adjustable, by turning it one way or the other.It could also be defective.it wouldn't hurt to tap it lightly a few times.
Mae sure nothing is blocking it.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,841
Likes: 48
From: Montreal, Canada
I did shine a flashlight on it and sure enough they lights did go out. However Phil I never use the AUTO feature.. basically more of the problem is usually when you turn your lights on parking and headlights selection the cluster should dim along with the green box around D and when you turn off the lights everything goes back to bright.. the cluster and the box around D.
Is that what's happening?
Everything I outlined works with the Auto feature of the lights turned ON. I never tried it in manual mode, so not sure what happens in that case.
Why are you not using the Auto feature?
Phil
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: FL
I'm not clear what you're saying. When you shine a light on the sensor and its dark outside, the dash light should brighten up to maximum, as it thinks its daytime.When its dark outside and you don't shine any light on the sensor, the dash panel lights should stay dim. During day light, the dash lights should stay bright.
Is that what's happening?
Everything I outlined works with the Auto feature of the lights turned ON. I never tried it in manual mode, so not sure what happens in that case.
Why are you not using the Auto feature?
Phil
Is that what's happening?
Everything I outlined works with the Auto feature of the lights turned ON. I never tried it in manual mode, so not sure what happens in that case.
Why are you not using the Auto feature?
Phil
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Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,729
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From: Toronto, Canada
Are you electronically literate? If so, have a look at the schematics in my thread for the ES300 gauge swap:
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/10...onversion.html
The part in the cluster that controls the electrolumincent lighting is not shown in detail in the wiring diagrams. However you can check the inputs and outputs going to that module.
According to the diagram (page 3 of the ES300 cluster schematic), there's a bulb check relay that is removable from the main-board on the instrument cluster. You could try swapping that to see if it makes a difference. You could also try disconnecting the rheostat to see if that makes a difference.
Here's the EWD for the rheostat.
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/10...onversion.html
The part in the cluster that controls the electrolumincent lighting is not shown in detail in the wiring diagrams. However you can check the inputs and outputs going to that module.
According to the diagram (page 3 of the ES300 cluster schematic), there's a bulb check relay that is removable from the main-board on the instrument cluster. You could try swapping that to see if it makes a difference. You could also try disconnecting the rheostat to see if that makes a difference.
Here's the EWD for the rheostat.
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Lead Lap
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 508
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From: Massachusetts
I'm not clear what you're saying. When you shine a light on the sensor and its dark outside, the dash light should brighten up to maximum, as it thinks its daytime.When its dark outside and you don't shine any light on the sensor, the dash panel lights should stay dim. During day light, the dash lights should stay bright.
This may be a feature of the 4ES?
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,841
Likes: 48
From: Montreal, Canada
What I described it how it works on my 2001 Lexus es300, equipped with Day time running lights, and the lights set to Auto mode.
If those criterias are not the same for your car, than all bets are off.
I have factory HIDs, and it also a Canadian car but that would not make a difference in terms of the operation I described.
Phil
If those criterias are not the same for your car, than all bets are off.
I have factory HIDs, and it also a Canadian car but that would not make a difference in terms of the operation I described.
Phil
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: FL
Are you electronically literate? If so, have a look at the schematics in my thread for the ES300 gauge swap:
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/10...onversion.html
The part in the cluster that controls the electrolumincent lighting is not shown in detail in the wiring diagrams. However you can check the inputs and outputs going to that module.
According to the diagram (page 3 of the ES300 cluster schematic), there's a bulb check relay that is removable from the main-board on the instrument cluster. You could try swapping that to see if it makes a difference. You could also try disconnecting the rheostat to see if that makes a difference.
Here's the EWD for the rheostat.
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/10...onversion.html
The part in the cluster that controls the electrolumincent lighting is not shown in detail in the wiring diagrams. However you can check the inputs and outputs going to that module.
According to the diagram (page 3 of the ES300 cluster schematic), there's a bulb check relay that is removable from the main-board on the instrument cluster. You could try swapping that to see if it makes a difference. You could also try disconnecting the rheostat to see if that makes a difference.
Here's the EWD for the rheostat.
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