Instrument Cluster and Panel Illumination

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 Mercury Mariner and 2008 Ford Escape. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The instrument cluster and panel illumination is used to provide backlighting to the instrument panel, switches, and control components when the headlamp switch is in either the PARKING LAMPS ON or HEADLAMPS ON position. The level of intensity is adjustable by pushing the instrument panel dimmer switch either up to increase intensity or down to decrease intensity.

On vehicles equipped with autolamps, if the exterior lamps are activated during daytime sunload conditions, the message center illumination remains at full intensity and does not dim from the instrument panel dimmer switch during this condition. If the vehicle travels under a bridge or a tunnel, the low level of ambient light causes the illumination level of the message center to change to the level set by the instrument panel dimmer switch. The message center illumination changes back to full intensity when the intense ambient light is restored.

The dimmable backlighting components are:

Instrument cluster (IC)
Message center switches
Headlamp switch
Traction assist/parking aid disable switch
Floor shifter
Heating ventilating air conditioning (HVAC) module
Audio control module (ACM)
Steering wheel control switch(es)

NOTE: If the battery is disconnected or discharged, the instrument panel dimmer switch requires re-calibration. Rotate the instrument panel dimmer switch from the full dim position to the dome ON position. This will make sure that all displays are visible under all lighting conditions.

The non-dimmable backlighting components are:

Power window control switches
Door lock control switches