Dash pod LEDs dimming with headlights on

[Y8RSP]

Any guidance on the following would be appreciated...!

I have an intermittent fault where the dash pod surround LEDs dim when I turn the dipped or main beams on. It dims so much that they are practically off...

I've been through the menu to adjust the dimming with lights on/off etc - and set everything to 100% (and tested by setting it to 50% - which made a difference with lights off) but when I switch the headlights on again hey presto - it goes dark again. It doesn't do it all the time - but 99% of the time when driving at night with the clocks are in the dark.

The LCD screen is unaffected - just the ring lights around the clocks.

The car has HID headlights installed (fitted by a dealer from previous owner) so that may be some sort of cause? Alternatively, maybe a dash ECU or wiring issue. Not sure where to start...

[nawarne]

Off the top of my head.

Earths, earths....and maybe check the earth connections...Start with the one on pass side bulkhead/footwell.
Nick

[plasticman]

They are designed to do that so you do not get dazzled by your own dashboard at night . I am pretty sure you can adjust it in the settings.

[Polly Grigora]

This topic may be of interest to you
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

and another one
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Edited by Polly Grigora on Sunday 13th March 11:27

[Y8RSP]

Thanks for you replies all... I'll have a look properly when I get back to the UK in a few days time.

Cheers

[non_linear]

I have what sounds like the same issue. I have HID's on the main beam only fitted by the previous owner. Turning the HID's on causes the dash illumination LED's to go out. The only way to get them back is to turn the car off, and re-start.
I assume it is interference from the ballast, maybe the igniter circuit, crashing something in either the dash ECU or the dash itself.
Do you know what model of HID was fitted? Does it have shielded wires to the bulb, and EMI suppression circuitry in the ballast?

[Y8RSP]

non_linear said:

I have what sounds like the same issue. I have HID's on the main beam only fitted by the previous owner. Turning the HID's on causes the dash illumination LED's to go out. The only way to get them back is to turn the car off, and re-start.
I assume it is interference from the ballast, maybe the igniter circuit, crashing something in either the dash ECU or the dash itself.
Do you know what model of HID was fitted? Does it have shielded wires to the bulb, and EMI suppression circuitry in the ballast?

I'll have a look on Tuesday when i'm back at home... I don't know what model of HID it is, i'll investigate to see if there's any information on the unit somewhere...

Hopefully it's a dodgy earth somewhere, or at least something that's relatively easily fixed - but will have a good once-over when i'm back in the UK.