Dash Light issue - Case Filed

Hello all,

FYI, I have filed a case with Toyota today about the issue we have with our Dash Light illumination. On Page 89 of the OM it said "The brightness of the instrument panel lights can be adjusted by turning the “ODO/TRIP” button". This action ONLY adjusts the brightness/dimness of the Multi-Info Display, NOT the Tachometer, Speedometer, or the gauges (these can only work by turning the headlight/parking lights on)

CSR talked to the product specialist (while I'm on hold) and they are aware of the issue, however, we need the dealer techs to confirm that. Maybe they FORGOT to connect the wires that adjust the Tachometer, Speedometer, and the gauges LEDs.

Please call Toyota @ 800-331-4331 and file your case as well since if they have more complains they will act faster.

Thanks y'all.

 

It actually does adjust the brightness of the instrument panel lights but I believe it only works when the headlights are turned on!

Just curious when would you need the instrument panel lit up when the headlights aren't on anyway?

 

Like this morning when it's about to rain...under treeline....dark but not dark enough for headlight to turn on....

 

I agree it's annoying.....didn't realize that the dash didn't illuminate until the day after I bought the truck. 4Runners and Tacoma's dash light up all the time so why not the Tundra.

 

If you have 20 minutes free, call and file a case with them....

 

Yup.

What's the problem? If you want them on.....turn on your headlights? Or does that ruin your sneaking up on people in a long dark tunnel?

 

Sound very closed minded..but whatever.

 

Maybe. Or maybe just waiting for them to add the lines "With headlights on" to the manual. I don't think they will do anything about your issue. Not closed minded, just a pessimist (and somebody who works in engineering and manufacturing and realizes what a large and expensive fix you want for something that the vehicle does in fact do - when the headlights are switched on)

 

I honestly didn't even know you could do this, haha.

 

I think this could be a road to nowhere... technically, the manual is correct. The ODO/TRIP does in fact change the brightness of the instrument panel lights. What it does not do, is turn them on - but the manual doesn't make that assertion... further, nowhere does it state that the lights would be on at all times.

 

while were on this subject, what is the little wheel swith for on the left of steering wheel ?looks like it should be a instrument light dimmer. nope havent read the manual,

 

Headlight level

 

Well,call me a "closed minded relic from the past" but I've always thought, when it's difficult to see the dashlights,it's dark,rainy,foggy,snowy enough to turn on some lights.Notice all the newer vehicles running around nowadays, with no lights on when they need to be.If the dash didn't light up with the switch,I believe we'd see less of these "unseen drivers".DRLs DON'T replace Headlights or even Parklamps,there are no tail lights or side markers availabe when using them. Further evidence of my "relic-ness", the very first thing I do, when bringing a vehicle home,is to READ the Owner's Manual

 

can you file a case regarding why the tundra didn't come with Long Travel from the factory while you're at it?

 

I don't have auto headlights. I figured out how to turn on the dash lights and keep them on at all times. With the engine on, turn headlights to the parking lamp setting. This will turn on dash lights. You can turn engine off and the lights will turn off. In other words, you can set-it-and-forget-it. The only disadvantage - the dash computer screen dims. Appears the max brightness setting is lower than the max when headlights are turned to off. The entune display will dim as well, but you can change the brightness setting back to original brightness.

 

From the engineering point of view this is a band-aid....Somehow, Toyota FORGOT to test this functionality.

 

So essentially you are using All your outside lights, except for the Headlights to illuminate the dash lights in low light conditions. I understand the thought process of the engineers. Having the Dash lights on without using the (Light) switch you could inadvertently get into a situation where your running without your headlights on when they are needed because the Dash lights were already on. I've done that before on my old Tacoma because the Dash lights are always on with the ignition. That being said, I still am looking for a solution to the No-Dash lights auto on problem. To be continued.............

 

I would just like to say on all my Toyota and Lexus Vehicles. The dash was full bright and you adjusted it with the trip knob. With the headlights on or offf.

With my new tundra the lights are very dim. If you throw the headlights on the computer displays also dims.

Throw on a pair of sunglasses and you can't see the cruise control lights.

 

It cracks me up some of the stuff you guys whine about. What would ever happen if you had to drive a car or truck 20 years old?

 

Since I have followed this discussion, I noticed a scenario where this affected me where I would have otherwise ignored it. I have automatic headlights - there was a 5 minute period where it wasn't dark enough for the lights to kick on, but dark enough that the speedometer was hard to see. I was able to set the 'Light sensor sensitivity' in the multimedia system to basically turn the lights on earlier. This is referenced in the Owners Manual on page 546. My previous 'non Toyota brand' vehicle had the capability to turn the gauge illumination on without the headlights in this condition.

I know this doesn't help the OP, but may help others.

 

The problem is the lights are not working. To the point where you cant read what's on the dash.

That's not just something to whine about.

 

....this might help...adjust the auto headlights sensitivity...

Haven't had the time to visit the dealer yet but I'll.

Toyota loves us reporting problems to them.....think of it as Free beta products testers.

 

My SR only has the headlight level adjustment

It doesn't have any other settings

 

Wes, I found this setting in my Entune settings (Apps > Settings) under Vehicle Customization and lights. I specifically is for sensitivity of auto headlights. Its also where you can set the time elapsed for the headlights automatically turning off after the door is closed.

 

My 2008 Tundra dash you could see fine it lit up when truck was running but the 2017 doesn’t. Very hard to see speedometer. Especially with sunglasses on.
I do not have auto lights and when you turn on headlights it dims Etune and back up camera to where you can’t see it. And if you take off the daylight setting it is to bright at night.
I’m not whining I paid a lot of money for this truck and I think it should be right. Toyota messed up on this one .

 

+1, Tundra gauges are hard to read in low light or with sunglasses on. I was hoping there was a mod to have them on full time like Tacoma

 

this kinda bugs me too. I would prefer to have the lights on the instrument cluster always lit (it was that way on my tacoma). sometimes in daylight, the cluster can be hard to see with the window tint and wearing sunglasses. also, if you turn the head lights on, the entune system dims. that makes it difficult to follow the route guidance system. An always lit instrument cluster seems like such a simple thing to have. it is odd that that it doesn't. with that being said, however, I don't think that you will get much from your case. at most, Toyota might add that feature in future models. but, best of luck to you

 

if this is the worst complaint about the truck, then that is saying something about the overall quality of tundras. on the "big 3" forums, they complain about things like transmissions, engines, brakes, air conditioning, etc...

 

what further cracks me up is that it's not even a fault. It functions the way it is written in the owners manual. The issue is that people expected it to do something differently than it does and are complaining to toyota.

Can I open a case because i expected it to have a wings & a jet engine? Look.. i know they weren't there when i test drove it but i thought it was a setting i could just enable through entune?

 

Coming from a Tacoma it is hard to see most all the time. The only time it is not is when the sun is behind you. I bet if this was a problem on Tacomas the folks on the Tacoma forum would have figured out how to have the dash lighting on full time. I experimented with turning the lights on during the day and it does help under low light conditions when headlights are not required. Even with the dash lighting on there are still times when the gauges are hard to read especially with sunglasses on. If Toyota would ever send me a survey form this will be on there. I threw the sales/dealership surveys in the trash. I decided I would rather do that than lie on the survey so the sales person gets their bonus. I surprised the dealership has not been hounding me to fill it out. When I bought my Tacoma they finally enticed me with a free tank of gas.