No instrument cluster lights during day

[kman86]

Maybe its just me but I always have my lights set to AUTO, yet at times I am sure my instruments get brighter and then dim automatically as I drive.

Seems to be driving into the sun in an afternoon the instrument cluster lights up really bright (headlights not on as the Red ambient lighting within the car does not light up) and as you drive into the shade or stop under the shadow of an overpass or bridge the instruments become less bright.

Even asked a friend in the passenger seat watch this happen and we both agreed it was changing in brightness depending on the light levels.

Like I said though, this is with lights in the AUTO position.

[Corey_R]

Yeah - I drive with my lights on Auto all the time too. Maybe that's why I haven't noticed the issue that the OP mentioned.

[darkfriend]

Hi All,

I also drive with lights on 'auto' and have had times when the instrument cluster lights do not turn on (but the instrument needles remain lit). It happens about once per monthin winter, usually in overcast conditions during the day when the light isn't so bright. At my 6 month service (Wangara VW in WA) I mentioned it as a problem and they said I had a 'loose connector' to the instrument cluster lights and they had fixed the problem! It still happens.

So it looks like it was not a problem and is supposed to happen according to people here- I can live with that.

But also looks like I was fed a piece of crapola pie by the dealer. That annoys me.

At least I now know that I'm not alone and it is the car doing what the car is supposed to do.

[GTsGTi]

+1 darkfriend et al
Glad also to know its normal reading this today (mine on auto all teh time and it happens)

[easeup]

Have read about this stuff before- check it out. People actually perform manual hack jobs to change the behaviour of their instrument cluster lights. [EDIT: tried.. i don't think succeeded!] Australia spec cars come with a light sensor in the tachometer i believe, that constantly adjusts cluster lighting when lights are set to Auto.

VWVortex.com - DIY: How to remove and open your instrument cluster

[MikeB]

Interesting. My MY11 does not do this on Auto - (which was the point of the Original Post!). On Auto during the day there are no instrument lights unless it is dark enough for headlights.

It would be good if it did. No idea why it doesn't. On Auto this is exactly the behaviour I would expect.

[Willo9891]

Hey Guys,

Couldn't find anything on here related to this issue with the dash cluster lights dimming and brightening.

Whilst driving along if the sun is out or its fairly light the cluster lights are lit up and bright, but the moment your in shade they dim right down to the point where you can only see the red needles. Seems strange that they would work this way. I would have thought that when in the shade they would be lit up more so that way you can actually see the speedo.

Any thoughts/ideas on this? Or is there a way it can be changed? (apart from having the headlights on constantly)

Willo

[Gigitt]

its related to the rain light sensor in the windscreen.
we all know how hard it is to drive into the sun
if there is direct sunlight on the light sensor then the dash lights brighten up so you can see the dials and see your speed etc due to the sun overpowering glare.

if you don't like it then there might be a VCDS setting you can change.

[readerr0r]

Hey Guys,

Couldn't find anything on here related to this issue with the dash cluster lights dimming and brightening.

Whilst driving along if the sun is out or its fairly light the cluster lights are lit up and bright, but the moment your in shade they dim right down to the point where you can only see the red needles. Seems strange that they would work this way. I would have thought that when in the shade they would be lit up more so that way you can actually see the speedo.

Any thoughts/ideas on this? Or is there a way it can be changed? (apart from having the headlights on constantly)

Willo

I'm guessing you have Auto Wipers/Auto Lights? The car reads from the light sensor and adjusts the dash accordingly, it was annoying the first few days I got my car but I haven't noticed it since. You can adjust the light threshold for the sensor in VCDS, not sure how that'd help it.

Failing that you can disable the sensor, but that would disable your auto lights too :\