Balky Instrument Panel Light

[ndej4]

I have a Prius 2008 with 7000 miles. Several times when the power button is pushed to start the car the instrument panel does not light up. The ready light is on and the car runs perfectly. When my wife started the car the other day the instrument panel did not light up, but when she started driving the panel came on. The other day I drove to town from our home and the panel did not light up the entire way. After I parked, stopped and did some shopping, I started the car and the panel lit up. This instrument panel problem has happened erratically three times in the past week. The dealer checked everything out and said there was nothing wrong with the system. Any suggestions? Any advice is welcome. Thanks, ndej

[Bill Merchant]

Clearly, the dealer is wrong. How to prove it? Take a picture (or have your wife do it) while you are underway, with a speed showing, and no other lights.

I'm assuming your headlights are not on. If your headlights are on, the instrument panel lights can be dimmed. If your headlights are on and the instrument panel is dark, first try rolling the dimmer thumbwheel to see if that's making an intermittent connection.

Good luck, these rare problems are hard to diagnose and fix. And welcome to PriusChat!

[rak]

As you will see if you search "instrument panel", several of us have these intermittently non-functioning panel lights. Hopefully, somebody's repair folks will solve the mystery and help us all out! BTW Bill, the speed doesn't show, either. It's all dark.

[paprius4030]

I think it might have something to do with the dimmer switch. When my Prius was new it would occasionally do this, but I quick flip back and forth on the dimmer wheel lite things up. Now that the car as aged a few months it doesn't do it.