Good morning. I'm the proud owner of 2004 XK8.

At night, when my headlight switch is set to AUTO, ON or Parking, my dash lights do not illuminate, however, the car's headlamps DO work properly.

BUT, when the headlight switch is set to OFF, all dash lights DO properly illuminate.

Let's play, what's my problem? (well, my car's problem; we'll ignore mine for now.)

(and, is it an easy fix - something I can do myself - I'm somewhat handy.)

As always, thank you VERY much.

 

check the dimmer switch, sounds like its in the lowest setting. switch (actually a dial) is on the steering column itself, next to the AUTO tilt/reach control

 

Thanks, H20boy, however, I had already played, extensively, with the dimmer knob, but no effect. Don't know if it's supposed to, but, the dimmer knob does not adjust brightness of dash lights when headlight switch is OFF. (they remain, full bright.)

Any other thoughts? H E L P !

 

With the headlamp switch set to "Off", all lights are at full intensity.
With the headlamp switch set to "Auto" intensity is controlled by the dimmer.
If , when in "Auto", you set the dimmer override (full CCW past the "click"
they will all be a max intensity. "They" means all instrument panel lighting
and center console. (A/C, Radio, Nav) Probably a dimmer module or switch
problem. Switch is easy to get to, the module is not. My best guess...
Do you have the wiring Diag. ???

 

Thank you, Fred. No, unfortunately, I don't have the wiring diagram. I will say that the night the lights went off, if you will, they flickered for a moment, then went off for good. If it were the module, I would assume (hope) that it would either work, or not, given what I assume is the digital nature of the module, as opposed to, a flakey potentiometer which I presume is what the dimmer knob is. Ok, I have now exhausted my entire electrical knowledge, as flawed as it may be.

Any tips on pulling the dimmer knob and shorting the proper wires to see if I can get lights? If so, I'll be pretty sure it is the knob.

Thanks!

 

where's culver city BTW?

that is very odd behavior from the dimmer, you're car is not that old, and that is the first time that I have ever even HEARD of something going wrong with the dimmer switch. Headlight stalk...sometimes, but never a switch on the steering column. Have you ever had work done on the column...like the tilt/reach issue repaired?

 

YES. About 6 weeks ago I had the dealer replace the the tilt switch. Everything ok until a few nights ago. Now I'm out of warranty!

Culver City is just north of Los Angeles airport.

 

It would appear to me that the bottom of the steering column is only held in place by two screws. ( I have not ever removed it) The dimmer switch has 5 wires going through a 6 position connector (white). Re-seat the connector and see if things improve.
If not, and you can use a meter, I can tell you what voltage should be on each pin.

The easier fix would be to go back to the dealer, and tell them that ever since they had your column apart, the dimmer doesn't work.
I'm thinking a loose connector or broken wire seeing as you said there was work done in there recently.

 

concur with FJK, too coincidental for a part that never fails. I would take it back before trying a repair urself. I figured something like that had to happen.

 

funny thing is, I had originally brought the car in about 3 months ago with an inop tilt switch. The part was back-ordered, and, when I got my car back awaiting the part (delayed due to volcano - love that one), the controls were REVERSED. I thought it odd because they said that the connectors were polarized (?), such that they could not be mismatched; I couldn't think of any other way the controls could get reverse (up was out, down was in) without some creative wiring.

 

I have the same problem, found a fix?

 

For the record, tell us what the fix was.

 

My fix was: replace the 10A dimmer fuse.

 

doh!

seriously, i'd take a fuse replacement and a little frustration over a wiring problem or other computer issue anyday.