Followup:

I took the X3 in for first scheduled maintanence and asked them to check the instrument cluster lights, squeeky brakes, creaky door, and wanted them to program the X3 so doors lock automatically when first taking off.

So I leave the SAV there all day and pick it up in the evening. They told me they think the dimmer switch is faulty; causing havoc with the electrical because they could NOT get the car to program the automatic lock code.

Can a faulty dimmer switch cause the instrument cluster lights to go out periodically, and prevent them from programming the auto lock code??!!

They are ordering a new dimmer switch and door seal.

Out of curiosity - I turned the lights on and checked the dimmer switch out when I drove home. The dimmer switch works fine