Cluster Brightness

[TECN1K]

I know for a fact that's a bulb. My E39 did that, you'll need a pack of these

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00D03YYUG

[g300d]

^You can buy just bulbs for those, just replaced a few on a different car.

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by g300d

Just caught the tail end of this...interesting. The $h1t that goes wrong on our trucks, lol!

So you got the switch ordered already. I would have suggested to get the euro version switch as a step towards rear fogs at the same time if you are so inclined.

Glad to hear issue was fixed - I was just about to post that both my displays dim with the wheel when the lights are on - I bought a European switch off German Ebay years ago when I added the rear fogs.

[TECN1K]

Instead of fogs - anyone wire them in as quad brake lights?

I bought the extra bulb sockets already

[g300d]

RB, I think I will replace mine as a preventative measure, with a euro switch while I am at it lol!

I have the factory hitch so I am guessing I have the tow module already. I hope so!

T, personally I get to thinking about wiring additional lights into the existing circuits with these trucks. With all of it passing through an expensive module, the thought of it breaking it gives me pause.

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by g300d

T, personally I get to thinking about wiring additional lights into the existing circuits with these trucks. With all of it passing through an expensive module, the thought of it breaking it gives me pause.

Relays are a god send in those situations...

Some interesting ideas in here. Rear fogs... or quad brakes? Hmmmmm...

[e30mpower]

Originally Posted by TECN1K

Not much to inspect, the rheostat is integrated.. but look at this tech for a 15 year old car. SMD Leds, plenty of spots for euro options (rear fogs.. wonder what the "other" dimmer wheel would control, see the spot next to it?)... really cool.

If I'm not mistaken the other wheel is for beam throw for non-HID cars which have auto-leveling.

[TECN1K]

I messaged e30mpower, found a thread where he had the same issue - cluster brightness is still very, very dim with no adjustment (on the high cluster information display) at night/headlights ON. Headlights off - Full, normal brightness.

A while back, I replaced the headlight switch - and it fixed the problem.. for about a week.

It's back again, and after my 3rd headlight switch - still have the problem. One common trait we both shared here was we watched the cluster glitch out. Once in a while, when started, the info display would display german. "gurt anlegen" then english "fasten seat belt"

When the headlight switch is unplugged - full brightness all around.


I'm leaning towards a faulty LCM - is it worth trying a used one? I'm concerned with mismatched vin/mileage affecting my Tamper Dot.

Any advice?

[Ricky Bobby]

Did we go over this but if you un-tap your angel eyes does that affect operation at all?

I'm only theorizing because you converted to xenon's from halogens, something is funky

[TECN1K]

Yeah, completely removed the AE from the mix. No change.

Guess what - It's working now. For now. I unplugged the headlight switch, and reconnected it. Did that like 5 times. With my cellphone covering the ambient light sensor on the left side of the cluster - the info display is bright as hell again, and adjustable via the dimmer wheel. When it's not working, and the ambient sensor is covered, simulating darkness - it's unreadably dim.

I'm trying to find/need a decent pinout of the headlight switch connector - so I can see what it's connected to, troubleshoot from there. I have a Bentley, but deciphering and crossreferencing their electrical diagrams is giving me a headache.

Loose Bus wire? What the hell would connecting and disconnecting a bunch of times indicate - figuring all signs point to loose wire somewhere. Hence the pinout, for a better understanding about what those dozen of so wires do/go.