LCD background light suddenly dims

[sdpapet]

Hi, I am not sure if this has happened to your guys. This morning I drove my sonic 2013 LT to groceries. On the way to groceries, the LCD screen suddenly dimmed (background light off). I can't see the speed panel clearly. Have you guys met this problem?

This morning was cold. I turned on the heater first time of this year. I am not sure if this is the cause. However, on the way back, the screen light seemed good. Is this because the computer system crashed?

Should I go to the official service and have them to look at it? If I am in the warranty, are they gonna charge me for examining computer system diagnosis? Last time, I found my turning light was not on, on the screen. After I restarted the car, everything is normal. I am a little worried about the LCD light. If I drive on freeway and I can't see the speed, etc, it would be dangerous.

Thanks.

 

[Wub2Dub]

It's not a "problem." It dims according to the amount of ambient light present. It can be changed via the settings.


2012 Chevy Sonic LTZ (hatch)
MPFab CAI, Forge BOV, 2.5" SS turbo back, Trifecta Elite Tuned, bypass valve "bypass", MPFab FMIC, Ultra Gauge, ported intake mani

 

[Maddmatts]

I've had this happen a few times while driving under a tree or when a dense cloud suddenly blocks the sun. The light sensor is a little on the sensitive side with sudden changes in brightness. The same thing can happen when you turn on the windshield wipers too.

 

[RMinNJ]

It's not a "problem." It dims according to the amount of ambient light present. It can be changed via the settings.


2012 Chevy Sonic LTZ (hatch)
MPFab CAI, Forge BOV, 2.5" SS turbo back, Trifecta Elite Tuned, bypass valve "bypass", MPFab FMIC, Ultra Gauge, ported intake mani

Is there a setting/adjustment for it? I found it hypersensitive also..chaning he dash lighting to the nighttime dim I like even though its pretty sunny out.

 

[CCsonic]

Turn your headlights off and see if it still happens.

 

[SuperFudd]

Change your light switch between automatic and what ever.
So it is a feature, not a fault?

 

[jgrote]

Mine does this too. I've figured out that my car likes to turn on the headlights any time the tiniest bit of shade gets anywhere near my car. If you turn your headlights to "off" instead of auto, you'll get your dash lights back. Mine's bad enough that I think I'll take it in before my bumper to bumper is over.

 

[sdpapet]

It's not a "problem." It dims according to the amount of ambient light present. It can be changed via the settings.


2012 Chevy Sonic LTZ (hatch)
MPFab CAI, Forge BOV, 2.5" SS turbo back, Trifecta Elite Tuned, bypass valve "bypass", MPFab FMIC, Ultra Gauge, ported intake mani

Really, I drove on the road without any cover.

 

[sdpapet]

It is not just the background light off. The speed readings and mileage readings are also dark. The background light can be off, but the readings (numbers) should be always on. If both are dark, you can't see nothing.

 

[carsNskis]

It is not just the background light off. The speed readings and mileage readings are also dark. The background light can be off, but the readings (numbers) should be always on. If both are dark, you can't see nothing.

Check your dash light dimmer. I have mine turned down for night driving to reduce glare, when the auto headlights turn on during the day I can barely see anything until I turn it back up

it's not the size, it's how you drive it....

 

[wbjones]

mine does this … but it's linked to the auto headlights .. if I turn off the auto, then the LCD stays the same … but then if I actually turn on the headlights the LCD dims … the speed read out can be adjusted by the rotary switch to the left of the steering wheel on the dash

 

[Wub2Dub]

Mine is on max. Just wish I knew a way to turn off the auto adjust.


2012 Chevy Sonic LTZ (hatch)
MPFab CAI, Forge BOV, 2.5" SS turbo back, Trifecta Elite Tuned, bypass valve "bypass", MPFab FMIC, Ultra Gauge, ported intake mani

 

[ohio_grad_06]

If you could find the sensor, maybe a nice piece of black electrical tape over the sensor...

 

[RMinNJ]

Problem is I like mine max dim at night (the non-mylink stereo is still too bright).
During the day then if it switches to headlights/nighttime mode in the shade.. sometimes the dash is too dim to read ...I then need to adjust it or turn off the headlights.

Its usually ok but sometimes over sensitive.

 

[carsNskis]

Mine is on max. Just wish I knew a way to turn off the auto adjust.


2012 Chevy Sonic LTZ (hatch)
MPFab CAI, Forge BOV, 2.5" SS turbo back, Trifecta Elite Tuned, bypass valve "bypass", MPFab FMIC, Ultra Gauge, ported intake mani

Turn off auto headlights... Dash dims when headlights activate. No headlight, no dim

it's not the size, it's how you drive it....

 

[Wub2Dub]

That would be counter productive. I just got used to my first car with auto headlights. Now I'm supposed to stop using them.

Turn off auto headlights... Dash dims when headlights activate. No headlight, no dim

it's not the size, it's how you drive it....

2012 Chevy Sonic LTZ (hatch)
MPFab CAI, Forge BOV, 2.5" SS turbo back, Trifecta Elite Tuned, bypass valve "bypass", MPFab FMIC, Ultra Gauge, ported intake mani

 

[carsNskis]

That would be counter productive. I just got used to my first car with auto headlights. Now I'm supposed to stop using them.








2012 Chevy Sonic LTZ (hatch)
MPFab CAI, Forge BOV, 2.5" SS turbo back, Trifecta Elite Tuned, bypass valve "bypass", MPFab FMIC, Ultra Gauge, ported intake mani

Perhaps you can locate the dimmer circuit and disable? I'd assume you can back trace from the light sensor to find it. It might be wired separately from the headlights, if so find the wire feeding the dimmer signal and cut or bypass... but then you have to dim the dash manually at night

it's not the size, it's how you drive it....