When I start up my 07 panel the dash light isn't very bright (I've tried the dimmer/brightener to no avail). How do I get to the dash lights without taking the whole thing apart? Thanks in advance.

 

Does the dimmer change the brightness at all ?

 

Barely. I first noticed it one day while I was driving around town (daylight time, not night) and not really noticeing the dash brightness, when all of a sudden the dash got brighter and that got my attention. I'm thinkin' it might be the sensor that dims the dash lights at night. Where is that located?

 

the little ball thing in the middle of the dash by the windshield

 

Is is hard to get to? I hope I don't have to tear things up too much. I appreciate the fast response. I will add that the headlights do change automatically from the low light daytime driving to brighter nightime. I thought that that little ball thing controlled that too, so could that still be the problem, or maybe the dash light itself? Thanks for your input.

 

"I will add that the headlights do change automatically from the low light daytime driving to brighter nightime. I thought that that little ball thing controlled that too, so could that still be the problem, or maybe the dash light itself?"

The Dash light sensor (little ball) does control the outside lighting. Sounds like that is working properly.

Your issue may just be the dimmer wheel switch itself..

 

Thanks ALL I'm gunna start with the dimmer switch and see what happens. Great info from you all.

 

The dashlights do vary depending on what mode the headlight are in. I am fairly sure that you cannot adjust the brightness when in the DRL mode. But when you go under a bridge they will brighten because the headlights come on momentarily. Nothing is broken, relax.
A pet peeve: DRLs ARE NOT LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS!!!!!! The tail lights are not on in DRL mode.

 

Donbrew. When the headlights come on, I believe the dash lights actually get dimmer( don't need as much backlight in the dark)
Why do I say this? When it's dark enough for the headlights to come on, I notice my RPD display will dim down. And the RPD is connected to the dash/dimmer system.

 

I think there are actually 3 different modes for the dash lights and the headliner light. Anyway on both my 2008 and my 2011 (no headliner on 2011). I have noticed the dash lights changing over the course of a day. They seem to know the difference between "dusk" and "night".