Instrument Cluster and Panel Illumination

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Mercury Montego, 2006 Ford Freestyle, and 2006 Ford Five Hundred. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The instrument panel dimmer switch (part of the headlamp switch) allows the brightness level of the backlights and displays to be adjusted dependent upon the headlamp switch position and the instrument panel dimmer switch position. The instrument panel dimmer switch is monitored by the smart junction box (SJB). When the parking lamps are on, the SJB controls the lighting by sending a pulse width modulated (PWM) dimming signal to the dimmable lighted components and a message over the medium speed controller area network (CAN) to the electronic automatic temperature control (EATC) (if equipped), the audio unit and the instrument cluster. The following components are dimmable:

Audio unit
Instrument cluster
EATC module
Manual temperature control
Steering wheel controls (includes speed control, redundant audio [if equipped], and message center switches [if equipped])
Headlamp switch
PRNDL display (part of the shifter assembly)
Adjustable pedals switch (if equipped)
Center stack (includes the hazard, traction control, and parking aid switches [if equipped])
Analog clock (if equipped)
Decklid release switch (if equipped)
The following components are not dimmable and are illuminated when the ignition switch is in the ON position:
Auxiliary climate control switches (if equipped)
Door lock control switches
Window control switches