Display unit brightness 2006 M45

[5000CS]

After 12 years, my display unit has become hard to see. I must turn the brightness setting to MAX+ to be able to see it all in daylight. Has anyone else noticed this or is it just me?
One gentleman on this site was generous enough to give me a spare display unit to try as well as the "how to" video to change it out. This unit was also from a 2006 car and seemed to be a touch brighter at first but, really, I'm pretty sure it has also faded considerably with time.

New units are darn pricey, unfortunately. Has anyone bitten the bullet and installed a new one? Or is it just time to sell the car?

Thanks,
DeWitt
2006 M45 Sport

[Ilya]

I wouldn't sell the car for this...I'd personally replace it, high cost and all. If the car is otherwise issue free, this is a small price to pay (one time) instead of having a monthly car payment (or something).

[EniGmA1987]

Mine is a 2006 and it still seems plenty bright to me. While I havent noticed any brightness loss, it is standard behavior for normal lights to dim over time. Even LEDs dim a bit, but it is far less than a regular bulb does.

[kent4659]

I didn't know that you could turn the brightness up. How do you do that?

[5000CS]

Thanks to Ilya for the encouragement. The M45 is an amazing car and it was so far ahead of it's time that it is still a very modern car. Really it's just a few electronic techie things that are a little bit dated now.

But I'm still wondering if anyone else has actually experienced a dimming of their display unit over the years. I'm curious to know before spending close to $3 large to replace it.

As far as display brightness control goes, the easiest way to adjust is to use the "Sun/Moon OFF" button to bring up the adjustment display. Use the same button to toggle between daylight and night time setting screens. Then use left/right cursor buttons to increase or decrease display brightness. Cheers.

[Ilya]

I'd also suggest seeing if your city/town has an electronics repair shop (they might be a dying breed as not many people buy home stereos these days like back in the 90's, tube TV's, etc.) and see what they think? Maybe they have the know-how to take apart a car stereo/navigation and replace the LED's (should be just a simply solder off/solder on job I'm guessing, just probably a PITA to get to them as you have to dismantle the unit).

Maybe that'll end up being $500 and not $3,000.

[EdBwoy]

OP, I'm glad the replacement screen worked, although briefly. For the price and effort, I would have decided to just buy used ones and keep going, but I understand the frustration.
I checked my favorite site for discounts, and although significantly cheaper than $3,000, I realize your hands might be tied to using the dealership if you want to maintain some sort of warranty.
https://www.infinitipartsdeal.com/parts ... m=280_A001


Let me ask with no intention of being offensive. Does everybody else using/boarding the car agree that the screen is dimmer or just you? I have seen some high mileage Ms but must say yours is the first one I've heard of with a dimming screen; twice

[5000CS]

Thanks for the parts source suggestion. Also, have you or has anyone dealt with affordableinfinitiparts.com ?

I am also very curious whether this display brightness issue is unique to my car or if others have noticed a decrease in dispaly brightness over the years.