No speedometer or tachometer lights during day

[cdavidhess]

The speedometer and tachometer lights in my sedan no longer function during the day. When I turn the headlights on the speedometer and tachometer light up. The gas, odometer gauge lights up just fine without the headlights being on.

I have played with the instrument panel dimmer control switch, but it has no effect on this.

Anyone else have this problem?

I am taking it to the dealer for service on Monday.

[Cutie Pie #2]

I have noticed that mine is not as bright as when it was new, but it only happens sometimes, kinda weird. Have to take mine to the dealer for regular service soon, I will ask them to look at it then.

[Phaeton]

Try adjusting the little knob to the left of the steering wheel.

[CTScott]

There are two separate fuses that feed parts of the combination meter. Check the PANEL1 fuse and the MET fuse in the fuse panel that is under the bottom of the dash.

Hmmm the during the day thing though - Did you per chance remove the DRL module (if your car even had one)?

[cdavidhess]

Both fuses are fine. I don't have DRL.

[CTScott]

Check GAUGE and PANEL2 as well. If none of them are popped the problem is most likely in the light control rheostat module.

[eric81]

Stupid squirrels... they are always eating nuts! WHat does that even have to do with dash lights? I have no clue at all. Elmers is yummy, and makes things stick together well.

[cdavidhess]

Check GAUGE and PANEL2 as well. If none of them are popped the problem is most likely in the light control rheostat module.

Those fuses are fine too.

[CTScott]

When you turn the headlights on, do you see the headlight indicator symbol light up on the combination meter?

[cdavidhess]

Yes

[PhilD424]

Aren't those lights LED? They should not be getting dimmer, LEDs don't die like bulbs.

[CTScott]

Yes

OK. So, the input from the headlight switch to the combo meter is working. That really seems to point to the rheostat module. If you have a voltmeter and want to further test, you can check the voltage on pin 7 (ILL-) of the 24 pin connector to the combo meter. When the headlights are off it should read 0V to ground. With the headlights on it will read somewhere between 0V (full brightness of the speedo) to 12V (speedo fully dimmed).

If you see normal readings for the headlight mode, and 12V, rather than 0V with the headlights off, then that will confirm that it's the rheostat module.


25306

[IllusionX]

When you turn the headlights on, do you see the headlight indicator symbol light up on the combination meter?

all sedans prior to 09 don't light up when head lights are not on.

the 09 have all black cluster like the LB, so they light up during the day.

[cdavidhess]

To be honest, when I first noticed that my speedometer/odometer lights were not working during the day, I thought that this might be normal. I first noticed that they were not lit when I was in a parking garage and could not see them. They are perfectly visible when the car is outdoors.

But there is this from page 118 of the owner's manual:

"The following guages, meters, and displays illuminate when the engine switch is in the ON position.

1. Tachometer
Displays the engine speed in revolutions per minute.

2. Speedometer
Displays the vehicle speed.

3. Fuel guage
Displays the quantity of fuel remaining in the tank.

4. Clock
Indicates the time."

The dealer should be able to diagnose the problem when I take it in on Monday.

[IllusionX]

the dealer is going say you must be smoking something..

no pre-09 sedan lights up when parking lights are OFF. you MUST manually switch the parking lights to ON to get lights on the speedometer and tachometer.

go see another sedan if you are able to, for your peace of mind.

also, if you are unable to read your speedo, due to the lack of lighting, it must be a hint for you to turn on your headlights.

[cdavidhess]

I guess the owner's manual is wrong then, huh?

[cdavidhess]

Can anybody else out there with a 2008 sedan confirm whether or not the speedometer/odometer lights come on without turning the parking/headlights on? Thanks.

[IllusionX]

the clock/odometer/trip counter display in the corner lights up all the time, without parking lights on.

It's just the rest of the cluster (speedo and tach) that only light up when parking lights are on.

[BLH]

My 2007 Sedan is the same.
Speedo does not light [No tach]; clock/odometer and trip counters light. When the parking or headlights are off.

[cdavidhess]

Thanks! I guess my car is okay.

I took my car to the dealer today. They said everything was okay, except they thought I was saying the odometer didn't light.

Apart from the light, this visit was one of complete frustration.

When I first went in I expressed my displeasure with my previous visit when they essentially lied (I didn't use that word) to me and told me that the items they performed for my 15,000 mile service were recommended by Toyota for "our area." They admitted that the service was their recommendation and not Toyota's. I was polite in expressing my displeasure and they were polite and smooth in their responses.

In addition to my oil change, they were to repair a dash rattle for which I had given them the TSB. I went and took a seat in their waiting room. I sat there for 6 hours, thinking that they were spending the time completely disassembling and reassembling my dash (required for the repair).

When I finally went to the service desk to inquire about the status of my car, they said it was all done. It turns out that "all done" meant they had performed the oil change, found there was no problem with the odometer light, and confirmed that there was a dash rattle. They told me that I would have to bring the car in and leave it for a day or two to fix the rattle.

When I (as politely as I could) expressed my frustration that it had essentially taken 6 hours to do an oil change, the service person said that she hadn't realized that I was waiting for the car. She thought I had dropped it off as if I somehow had been invisible every time they walked into the waiting room to tell customers their cars were ready. The service person apologized.

When I inquired about a loaner car when I bring my car in, she said she could "probably" arrange one.

I am as polite as they come, but I was just on the edge of loosing it.

This is Hoselton Toyota in Rochester, NY. I may try Dorschel Toyota which is actually closer to my home.

My most recent cars have been Saturns. Suffice it to say that my experiences with their service department were dramatically different.

[IllusionX]

you normally don't get loaner for a TBS, or if they are too busy that you have to leave the car over night.