dim instrument lights

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sf91030 - 07 Jan 2009 00:48 GMT

Hi all: I have an 03 GS 300 with about 65k miles. I noticed the
instrument panel lights are only about half as bright as they were a
few days ago. The dimmer control knob still works and gives me a
range from no lights to about half as bright as before. It seems that
the instrument panel lights are like a florescent type of lighting
rather than individual lights at each gauge, but I am just guessing at
this. I am going to trade the car in about 6 months and can live with
the lights as they are but would get them fixed if it did not exceed
$200 or so. I have heard horror stories that the entire dash module
has to be replaced at around $1400 but that may be if the gauges stop
operating. My problem is only lighting. Can anyone shed any light
(no pun intended) on this. Is it just a flouescent fixture that needs
replacement or maybe something more?
Thanks,
Steve
P.S. All other interior lights work correctly and all fuses seem ok.
Battery is 6 months old and connections at positive and ground are
clean. I ran a supplimental ground to engine block from battery but
no change. I also grounded dash with new ground but no change.

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Ray O - 07 Jan 2009 05:03 GMT

> Hi all: I have an 03 GS 300 with about 65k miles. I noticed the
> instrument panel lights are only about half as bright as they were a
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> clean. I ran a supplimental ground to engine block from battery but
> no change. I also grounded dash with new ground but no change.

Do the lights dim when you turn on the headlights?

Signature

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

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sf91030 - 16 Jan 2009 10:10 GMT

On Jan 6, 9:03 pm, "Ray O" <rokig...@NOSPAMtristarassociates.com>
wrote:

> > Hi all: I have an 03 GS 300 with about 65k miles. I noticed the
> > instrument panel lights are only about half as bright as they were a
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
> Ray O
> (correct punctuation to reply)

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Ray O - 16 Jan 2009 19:36 GMT

On Jan 6, 9:03 pm, "Ray O" <rokig...@NOSPAMtristarassociates.com>
wrote:

> "sf91030" <sf91...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>
[quoted text clipped - 25 lines]
> Ray O
> (correct punctuation to reply)

Ray, sorry for delay in getting back to you. Instrument panel lights
do not dim when headlights are on. Also, in reply to J Goldens post,
it has been around 70 degrees, same as when the lights were at full
brilliance. Is there a seperate florescent tube or tubes that could
have gone out. I am thinking maybe one of the two went out, but on
other hand, then one side like the tach would be dimmer than the
speedometer., or vice versa.

I guess I do not have a full understanding of the lighting system
for the dash.

St. John Symthe referred to an electroluminescent panel. Does that
mean the whole panel needs to be replaced? As I said earlier, weather
here is around 70 degrees but when I went up to the mountains recently
at around 25 degrees I noticed no change.
Steve
Steve

************
Steve,

I am not really sure how the electroluminescent instrument cluster works,
but I believe that it has to be sent to a repair facility to replace or
repair the lighting.

The reason I asked if the lights dim when the headlights are turned on is
that they are supposed to dim when the headlights are turned on to reduce
glare at night. I'm wondering if the panel is in the "reduced glare" mode.
I'll have to do some research to see how it works.

Signature

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

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J Golden - 12 Jan 2009 02:02 GMT

How cold has it been where you live? I've noticed that when it is
cold outdoors, my 03 RX's instrument panel lights are about half as
bright as they normally are. I spoke with Lexus about it and they
said it was normal. They also said it was normal for the transmission
to have a delayed shift to forth gear until the engine was fully warm.

bubsy

>Hi all: I have an 03 GS 300 with about 65k miles. I noticed the
>instrument panel lights are only about half as bright as they were a
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>clean. I ran a supplimental ground to engine block from battery but
>no change. I also grounded dash with new ground but no change.

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Anonymous - 12 Jan 2009 05:31 GMT

> How cold has it been where you live? I've noticed that when it is
> cold outdoors, my 03 RX's instrument panel lights are about half as
> bright as they normally are. I spoke with Lexus about it and they
> said it was normal.

LOL! Is that a design spec?

They also said it was normal for the transmission

> to have a delayed shift to forth gear until the engine was fully warm.
>
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
>>clean. I ran a supplimental ground to engine block from battery but
>>no change. I also grounded dash with new ground but no change.

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St. John Smythe - 12 Jan 2009 12:32 GMT

>> How cold has it been where you live? I've noticed that when it is
>> cold outdoors, my 03 RX's instrument panel lights are about half as
>> bright as they normally are. I spoke with Lexus about it and they
>> said it was normal.
>
> LOL! Is that a design spec?

Sort of. That's how electroluminescent panels behave, whether in a
Lexus or a Hyundai.

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sjs

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