06 starts in the ON position and no lights on the dash cluster

Has anyone had this happen? Sequoia starts in the ON position and no lights on the dash cluster. The dimmer switch doesn't do anything.

I noticed this when I picked up my Sequoia from the tint shop. I got all the windows tinted.

I checked the fuses, and they look good.
I disconnected the battery, and that didn't do anything.

Video link:
https://youtu.be/73aWlDNUDwg?si=7Hr3SGt1s4X40RUR

 

Puzzled how that could cause this but did notice a few things that may or may not help in understanding what I'm seeing.

• What position was the headlight/parking light switch in, AUTO ?....(appears to be rolled all the way up)
• If you place the headlight/parking light switch in position one....does your parking, tail, license plate, side marker, dash cluster and center cluster(HVAC knobs and switch illumination lights) come on ?
• With headlight/parking light switch in OFF position, turn key to ACC position only. Does your center cluster clock, radio and dash cluster odometer reading come on ? Also, with doors shut, as you turn key slowly back and forth from OFF to ACC, do you hear a clicking sound coming from around cabin fuse panel(ACC relay energizing/de-energizing) ?

Also puzzled that when you turned key from ACC to ON that it did not appear that you even had to turn key further to START position for it to crank

 

I am also puzzled. I dropped it off at the tint shop with no problems and picked it up with problems. I'm 50/50 if the tint shop caused the issue, the tint shop said when they tint windshields they use tint ropes and towels to help absorb the water.

1. It was in AUTO in the first video.
2. I did and the video is below. Parking, tail, license plate, side marker, & center cluster come on.
3. I did and the video is below. Clock and radio comes on. odometer does not come on. I hear a noise what seems to come from the passenger side.

It starts in the ON position. It happened once where I turned the key to the start position after it was on and it made the clicking sound. Like when you turn the key past start when the vehicle is running.

https://youtu.be/98ADtPBh2mc?si=bhxAYGC5Lf-sHqpR

https://youtu.be/cICjxqPlcjk?si=C5O8gLNY4kaas8CE

 

Thanks for those videos, very helpful !!

After their work, did you notice any semi-excessive water on carpet directly under the cabin fuse panel or any under the glove box. Too much water on Integration relay panel attached to backside of cabin fuse panel or too much on the Engine Control Module(ECM) can cause havoc until dry.

As for those checks we made, it definitely helped eliminate a few things that affect both the dash and center clusters....tail light relay and the 7.5A PANEL fuse.

One check I failed to ask was with the headlight/parking light switch in position one....does the rheostat control the intensity of center cluster ?

I realize you mentioned in first post that you checked the rheostat(dimmer switch) but that was in the Auto position of headlight/parking light switch. Since an 06 Sequoia for the most part matches my 04 Tundra, I am just curious.

If that checks out good, we are at the point of chasing wires, in particular from a junction point after the rheostat to the Combination Meter(dash cluster)

Do you have a volt/ohm meter and are you comfortable making checks which might require getting to the backside of combination meter and other connectors ?

IF your antenna raises and lowers via motor, the antenna relay is in the center console about floor level and motor is pass kick panel area, which might be what you're hearing

 

I didn't even think about checking for any water below the dash. I will be getting the windshield re-tinted Tuesday and I will make sure that they take extra procedures to keep as much as water out of my dash.

Today around 5:30pm when I got in the Sequoia and started it up. I noticed all the dash lights on. I turned it off and checked the starting and BAM! It did not start in the ON but stated in the start position.

I will see how tomorrow goes.

I have meters and I have no problem checking the backside and other connectors.

My antenna is fixed.

 

I had to get my windshield tint replaced on Tuesday and It happened again. I let it bake in the Florida sun Tuesday and Wednesday with a small heater on the drivers floor. All is good for now "knock on wood".