instrument panel going in and out

[22lyons]

Got a new to us 2003 with 119,000 miles on it. The instrument panel comes on and off at will. It lights up when you start the car then will go on and off. Any ideas?Thanks for your help.Larry

[joatmon]

hopefully it's simpleThe car has a light sensor, small round button in top left corner of dash near windshield. It senses ambient light levels and switches automaticaly between daytime running lights (DRLs) and full headlights. DRLS are the front headlights on about half bright, and no tail lights. Headlights are full bright, and tail lights are on. There is an indicator light inthe dash, sort of yellowish green, lights up when the headlights are on full, off when in DRL mode.Only when the headlights are in full headlight mode does the dimmer switch (by the mirror controls) have any effect. Hopefully, the issue is just that you have the dimmer switch set to dim, and as you drive around and different light hits the sensor, the car is switching automatically between full and DRL modes, causing the interior lights to go from normal to dim and back again. Check the dimmer switch setting. Also see if there is a correlation betweeen the lights going dim and the headlight indicator lighting up.(sorry if you already knew all of this)If it's not the dimmer setting, then let us know, we'll dig deeper

[lovemyraffe]

First thought is, are you parked in a garage? The auto lights might be turning on when you first start the car. Make sure the dimming dial isn't turned all the way down.

[22lyons]

Well, it's my daughter's car and she is not home right now so I will try this when she arrives. It does make sense due to the fact they come on everytime when you start the car. My gues is she was cleaning the car and didn't realize she turned it down....at least i can hope for now.thanks,Larry

[22lyons]

Thanks so much. My daughter texted me and said "I fixed it!" Again, thanks for the help!Larry