Disable auto-dimming of dash lights

[RealGomer]

Chrysler got it right on the '96 Cirrus we had. You could disable the stupid automatically dimming of the dash lights when the headlights came on. Is there way to disable this stupid feature on the 2014 Fusion, short of snipping wires? Why some designer or engineer would think it's a good idea to dim the dash lights is beyond me. The rotary / push button control does nothing to help. I don't know about others, but I like to see the speedometer, fuel gauge etc. at night as well as daytime.

[akirby]

No problem seeing mine at night in any Ford vehicle I've ever owned. No idea what you mean.

[Bman505]

Chrysler got it right on the '96 Cirrus we had. You could disable the stupid automatically dimming of the dash lights when the headlights came on. Is there way to disable this stupid feature on the 2014 Fusion, short of snipping wires? Why some designer or engineer would think it's a good idea to dim the dash lights is beyond me. The rotary / push button control does nothing to help. I don't know about others, but I like to see the speedometer, fuel gauge etc. at night as well as daytime.

 

I feel your pain. If I leave the headlights on auto my fusion will sometimes turn them on at crazy times like 1pm in the afternoon in clear skys and broad daylight and dim all the displays.

 

The only things I found to combat this is to just use the instrument brightness button and crank it to max, or to not have the headlights set to auto and manually turn the lights on/off.

 

I took it to the dealer on the last trip I had under B2B warranty and they said they could never repeat the symptom.

[RealGomer]

I used to own a Chrysler Cirrus that was the last car that allowed you to disable the idiotic dash lighting auto-dim. Since Ford thought it would be cute to not have the driving lights function on my Fusion I covered the sensor with some foil. Now, the dash dims so far the instruments are barely visible at night, let alone day time. Is there any way to disable, kill, cancel, or otherwise obliterate this idiotic feature?

[zip89105]

You can adjust the brightness of the dash lighting. The adjustment on my 2016 is next to the headlight switch. Have you tried this?

[Waldo]

So you're disabling the sensor and then calling the system idiotic? That's kind of like taping your door shut and then complaining that you can't get out. Why not fix the root of the problem so you don't need to cover the sensor? Any dealer can activate the DRL feature for you.

 

But as zip89105 points out, if you can't see them even at night, you probably just need to adjust the brightness.

Edited February 15, 2016 by Waldo

[drolds1]

We've been down this road before here.

 

RealGomer: If you can't see the instruments at night with the brightness adjustment on max, then you should make a service appointment to have it looked at.

[drolds1]

These two discussions have been merged.

 

OP: If you want to "bump" a previously posted topic, please do so in the original thread. Don't start a separate thread for the same issue.

-Moderator

[andyross]

Do you have automatic climate control? That light sensor is also used by the climate control as a 'sunload' sensor. It helps it adjust based on the amount of sunlight streaming in. If you cover it up, it always thinks it's dark out and may not cool down as quickly. I had a 2000 Sable where the sensor died and acted as if it was dark, and it tended to run the fan slower when trying to cool down or keep it cool.

Edited February 15, 2016 by andyross

[RealGomer]

First, would someone show where in my original post I said anything about AT NIGHT.

I thought this point would be moot after some ##$%# who was concerned about texting than driving totaled my Fusion and I replaced it with an 2014 MKZ with the technology package. Nope.

Anyway, there are two reasons I drive with headlights on all the time. First, it's safer and makes the vehicle easier to see no matter the weather. I've been doing it for 45+ years. Second, in Ohio the law basically says if the wipers are on the headlights are on. Or in inclement weather. Or from 1/2 hour before sunset to 1/2 hour after sunrise. As an example, today it drizzling and dusky and the headlights came on. Unfortunately, the controls on the console disappeared and the gauges became practically unreadable.

So, again I ask, is there any way to disable this action?

[akirby]

First, would someone show where in my original post I said anything about AT NIGHT.

 

I don't know about others, but I like to see the speedometer, fuel gauge etc. at night as well as daytime.

 

Now, the dash dims so far the instruments are barely visible at night, let alone day time.

Any more questions?

[akirby]

Seriously, stop being so butt hurt and pissed off and try listening to what we're trying to tell you.

 

If you can't see the gauges in the daytime or at night with the lights on and the intensity at max, THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH YOUR CAR. Have it checked out by the dealer.

[Waldo]

The simple solution is to stop covering over the light sensor. I too am a firm believer in daytime lights, but the factory DRLs are enough for me. No need to cover the sensor and mess with the interior lighting at the same time.

 

It's also worth pointing out that there are TWO "dimming" settings. One for daytime and one for night. If you have your dash cranked up to the max intensity in daytime, that setting doesn't translate to the night setting. Essentially it has a "memory" so you need to crank it up in the night setting as well.

 

As for the wiper-on, lights-on feature, the interior lights are not tied to that at all. They are reacting only to the light sensor - independent of the wiper function - so in the daytime when it turns your wipers on, it will not dim the interior lights unless it is actually dark outside.

[Frank F]

Chrysler got it right on the '96 Cirrus we had. You could disable the stupid automatically dimming of the dash lights when the headlights came on. Is there way to disable this stupid feature on the 2014 Fusion, short of snipping wires? Why some designer or engineer would think it's a good idea to dim the dash lights is beyond me. The rotary / push button control does nothing to help. I don't know about others, but I like to see the speedometer, fuel gauge etc. at night as well as daytime.

I would suggest trading in the Fusion for a Chrysler.

[drolds1]

I too am a firm believer in daytime lights, but the factory DRLs are enough for me.

Especially on an MKZ with the tech package. The LED DRLs are very bright. You can't not see them in any weather condition.

[akirby]

As you know I'm not a big proponent of DRLs, but the new LED accent lights are way more noticeable to me than regular headlamps.

[RealGomer]

Everyone is missing the point. The dash lights ARE set as bright as possible. There times of the day when it's not bright enough to illuminate the gauges but dark enough for the headlights to come on. Must people refer those times as dusk, dawn, or twilight. Or when it's foggy, raining, misting, etc. There seems to be more attempts be the engineers to take away the driver's choices.

[bbf2530]

Hi RG. Ummm...has there been a time warp? Where have you been for 3 1/2 years? ?