Stereo faceplate dimmer?

[mrfantastic74]

I had daytime running lights installed today (I had to do that to pass the Canadian Federal Inspection, as I imported the Rogue from the States).

Unfortunately, when I brought the Rogue home, I noticed that the faceplate on the stereo is super dim, and perhaps not even on at all. The stereo works fine otherwise. Does anyone know how to brighten/ dim it?

If that's not it, then they probably shorted a wire or something.
Modified by mrfantastic74 at 2:10 AM 4/8/2008

[dawson76]

The dimmer knob is the second little stick in between the speedo and tach. Maybe thats all it is?

[mrfantastic74]

I'm assuming the dimmer you're talking about is only for the odometer/ fuel/ mileage gauge, etc. Besides, the guages in front of my steering wheel are well lit, while the stereo is dark.

[dawson76]

I'm assuming the dimmer you're talking about is only for the odometer/ fuel/ mileage gauge, etc. Besides, the guages in front of my steering wheel are well lit, while the stereo is dark.

yep, thats it, took me a while to find it so figured you may not have. not sure then, if the stereo doesn't have a seperate dimmer in the options then something probably is wired wrong.

[philipa_240sx]

I only have one possible cause:

The installer likely tied into the illumination power wiring for the stereo thinking it was a 12V switched source that turns ON when the taillights activated. This way the DRL's are deactivated when the lights are turned on.

They likely did a poor connection or connected to the wrong wire. I would take it back ASAP and have them to fix it. Depending on how it was done, it could damage the radio illumination and or the dimmer control for the rest of the dash lights.

BTW, the dimmer controls the illumination for the gauges, hazard switch, seat heater buttons, VDC button, mirror controls, radio, AWD lock button, headlamp aiming dial, glove box lamp, 'mood lamp' (aka map light), and steering wheel switches.

[mrfantastic74]

You may be right. I just noticed tonight that when I turn the headlights on, the stereo faceplate (along with a few other controls in its vicinity) illuminate. They are dark only when the headlights are not on. So, it's likely that they mis-wired it. I'll bring it back tomorrow.

I only have one possible cause:

The installer likely tied into the illumination power wiring for the stereo thinking it was a 12V switched source that turns ON when the taillights activated. This way the DRL's are deactivated when the lights are turned on.

They likely did a poor connection or connected to the wrong wire. I would take it back ASAP and have them to fix it. Depending on how it was done, it could damage the radio illumination and or the dimmer control for the rest of the dash lights.

BTW, the dimmer controls the illumination for the gauges, hazard switch, seat heater buttons, VDC button, mirror controls, radio, AWD lock button, headlamp aiming dial, glove box lamp, 'mood lamp' (aka map light), and steering wheel switches.

[philipa_240sx]

You may be right. I just noticed tonight that when I turn the headlights on, the stereo faceplate (along with a few other controls in its vicinity) illuminate. They are dark only when the headlights are not on. So, it's likely that they mis-wired it. I'll bring it back tomorrow.

Perhaps I misunderstood. I thought you had no illumination period. My stereo & HVAC controls don't illuminate until I turn the headlights on... and I have the Canadian Rogue with the DRL's. The gauge illumination 'appears' to be on all the time regardless of headlamp operation.

You may not have an issue after all.

[mrfantastic74]

Hmm, that's really surprising to me. Are you saying that when you drive in the daytime without your headlights on, that you can't see the numbers and clock on your stereo? Mine is completely dark. Contrarily, before I had the work done and while I was on my drive home from the dealer in WA state (daytime, lights off), the stereo was illuminated (at least enough to see what was going on).

I also noticed that when the headlights are on, the "small light indicator" appears. This should not happen, as it should only happen when the parking lights are on. Coincidentally, my daytime running lights and parking lights appear to be the same thing- the small yellowish lights.

Perhaps I misunderstood. I thought you had no illumination period. My stereo & HVAC controls don't illuminate until I turn the headlights on... and I have the Canadian Rogue with the DRL's. The gauge illumination 'appears' to be on all the time regardless of headlamp operation.

You may not have an issue after all.

[philipa_240sx]

Hmm, that's really surprising to me. Are you saying that when you drive in the daytime without your headlights on, that you can't see the numbers and clock on your stereo? Mine is completely dark. Contrarily, before I had the work done and while I was on my drive home from the dealer in WA state (daytime, lights off), the stereo was illuminated (at least enough to see what was going on).

Yes, the stereo numbers should illuminate anytime the stereo is ON.

I also noticed that when the headlights are on, the "small light indicator" appears. This should not happen, as it should only happen when the parking lights are on. Coincidentally, my daytime running lights and parking lights appear to be the same thing- the small yellowish lights.

If you turned the headlights on (parking or headlamp positions) via the switch, you will get the green 'small light indicator' light on the gauges.

Hmm, that's really surprising to me. Are you saying that when you drive in the daytime without your headlights on, that you can't see the numbers and clock on your stereo? Mine is completely dark. Contrarily, before I had the work done and while I was on my drive home from the dealer in WA state (daytime, lights off), the stereo was illuminated (at least enough to see what was going on).

[mrfantastic74]

Canadian Tire definitely did screw something up, but they wouldn't fess up to it. They said "That's the way it should be. What's the problem?" The problem is that I should be able to see the numbers and clock on the stereo, even with the headlight switch in the off position. It worked before they fiddled with the DRLs and now it doesn't work.

So I called a Nissan service place nearby and they said something definitely wasn't right.

Now I'm trying to get CT to agree to reimburse me for service I will have performed at the Nissan dealer.