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Help! Dashboard lights turn off when I turn on headlights at night!!!.

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by justaguy, Mar 11, 2010.

  1. justaguy

    justaguy New Member

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    Wow anyone know what is going on with my new prius?
     
  2. gbarry

    gbarry Junior Member

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    Yes, you have them dimmed all the way. When headlights are off they go to full brightness. Find that dimmer knob to the left of the steering wheel, on the dashboard.
     
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  3. Much More Better

    Much More Better Active Member

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    check the dashboard lights dimmer on left hand side below the vent. It by the side mirror adjustments.
     
  4. justaguy

    justaguy New Member

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    omg Where is it located!.
     
  5. ALS

    ALS Active Member

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    Dimmer is turned down. Left side of steering wheel look down by your knee. You will see a panel with four spaces. The one has a dial or wheel. That is the dimmer switch or rheostat to adjust the dash brightness.
     
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  6. justaguy

    justaguy New Member

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    thanks guys. I'll try to adjust it later if i find where it is. I have no idea how it got dimmed. I must've been moving alot when i fell asleep in my car :p
     
  7. ScottG10

    ScottG10 Member

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    Wow dude, your living in your car???
    Well, at least it's a nice car. :D
     
  8. Wiserone

    Wiserone Member

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    Why can't the dash still be fully lit even when the lights are on?

    It drive me nuts. I leave my headlights on all the time as DRL's.
     
  9. gbarry

    gbarry Junior Member

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    You probably played with it during the day and didn't see any difference, so accidentally left it at minimum.

    Wiserone: Turn the brightness all the way up. Now turn past that. Presto! Bright lights!
     
  10. justaguy

    justaguy New Member

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    No I didnt sleep all night studying for a midterm, and just dozed off for a few.
     
  11. justaguy

    justaguy New Member

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    dumb question but, do the headlights turn automatically turn off after the car has been turned off? So if I forget to turn it off, will the battery drain??
    Because i'm used to driving cars with auto headlights. It's really inconvenient :D
     
  12. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    By default, the 2010 Prius headlights turn off 30 seconds after you open one of the front doors after you turn off the car. The dealer can change it to 0 seconds, like the 2009 and before. If you never open a front door, it never automatically turns off.
     
  13. Wiserone

    Wiserone Member

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    I gotta try this again. My other car does this but when I tried it with the prius the little knob didn't turn anymore.
     
  14. Wiserone

    Wiserone Member

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    I was about to call shenanigans since I tried it and it didn't work. I couldn't get it to turn anymore. Then I turned with some extra force confident that I couldn't break it. It clicked and worked.

    I guess I just needed to break-in the button since its never been touched.
     
  15. Wiserone

    Wiserone Member

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    To help you avoid a dead battery, bear this in mind.

    If your headlights are clicked off and the car is off, then you go to the car and turn on the headlights without starting the car and then leave them on, they will NOT turn off.
     
  16. jburns

    jburns Senior Senior Member

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    It can. Just turn the dimmer all the way up until it clicks. Dash will stay full brightness at all times.
     
  17. Tom183

    Tom183 New Member

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    Dummest.
    Feature.
    Ever.
     
  18. hsiaolc

    hsiaolc New Member

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    Why do you want it so bright at night anyway? Glad you figured it out.
     
  19. Holmesman

    Holmesman Junior Member

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    It can. If you turn that dimmer wheel everyone has been talking about all the way until it clicks, the dash will be fully lit.
     
  20. mygreen

    mygreen New Member

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    I had the same issue, but did not know what was causing it until I read this thread. Thanks everyone for the info. I my case I think it was the full service car wash, they do a good job cleaning the dash, but they move the nobs and such when they clean.