Dash / Cluster Question...

[JCN83]

Tried searching but can't seem to find any info on this...

When I turn my headlights on the green headlight indicator on the dash comes on...but in daylight, it's pretty hard to see. even at dark, it doesn't look as bright as it should. pretty dim and I'm worried that it's going to go out completely.

does anyone have experience with this? i've never removed the dash or cluster before...are there light bulbs back there that can be replaced?

TIA

[hihosilver]

speaking solely from an electronic standpoint (i'm an electronic engineer), bulbs are more of a dead or alive item. meaning they either work or they dont. i think your problem lies elsewhere. perhaps you have something in the car thats drawing some of the current from your cluster. do you have an aftermarket stereo or any other electrical modifications like a boost guage or hardwired gps or radar detector?
I'd try using someone elses juice(via jumper cables) to see if it makes the bulb get brighter..

[JCN83]

Thanks for the feedback...

Yes - I have a boost gauge, a hardwired V1, and an aftermarket amplifier amp hooked up. I'll try disconnecting one (or more) and see what happens...

[csosnowski]

mine does this too, the headlight indicator appears faintly lit, except for my car is mostly stock. i.e. no aftermarket electrical parts.

i remember somewhere that this may be a mod through vag-com or perhaps just a faulty cluster.

I may have read that there is some vag-com coding that applies to the appearance/brightness of the indicaor, but im not really sure.

i am interested in the solution to this since ive always found it odd that it is dim.

what does everyone else's look like? bright green? pale?

[dak360rt]

Just got home about 20 minutes ago, i didnt notice that there was a light on, besides the CEL of course. Next time i drive im gonna look out for it

[skinnytirez]

stupid question... did you try turning the dimmer knob on the cluster? is it possible that you just have your dimmer way down? lol

[JCN83]

stupid question... did you try turning the dimmer knob on the cluster? is it possible that you just have your dimmer way down? lol

Yeah...unfortunately that doesn't do the trick. The rest of the indicator type lights in the dash come on very bright. It's just the headlight indicator...

[skinnytirez]

So your headlight indicator is bright at night and dim during the day? may i ask why you are running your lights during the daytime?
I'm pretty sure there is a light sensor built into the top of the dash (somewhere near the defrost vents) that detects ambient light and during the day it will detect the sun and dim the light automatically...

[JCN83]

So your headlight indicator is bright at night and dim during the day? may i ask why you are running your lights during the daytime?
I'm pretty sure there is a light sensor built into the top of the dash (somewhere near the defrost vents) that detects ambient light and during the day it will detect the sun and dim the light automatically...

No - it's always dull. Period. If I turn the lights on as it's first getting dark out...late afternoon/ early evening/ dusk or whatever...i can barely see the light. Practically nothing. As it gets pitch black, I can make it out - but still very, very faint.