Q: Lights for the dashboard are not very effective

asked by on November 06, 2015

The lights on the dashboard of my 2012 GMC Terrain get really dim randomly and the other interior lights usually do the same. Now, if the lights all went out I would know there was a fuse out or an electrical issue afoot, but dim lights don’t make sense. Why would the lights just dim down to a near-useless amount of light? This is frustrating and could be dangerous in the wrong situation. What should I be looking at to troubleshoot this? The car has 25k miles on it, so very new to be having issues!

Your issue is somewhat unique and may be difficult to diagnose, mostly because of the random nature of its occurrence. That being said, it is important to look at other things that are happening at the same time of the dim lights. Are there any warning lights, has the passenger made any adjustments to seat settings, HVAC (heating, ventilation, air-conditioning) temperature or other? These may give the technician who will diagnose your issue something to go on. When the lights dim, can you change them using the dash dimmer? If so, there may be an issue in the switch itself, but this is the most unlikely cause. My recommendation is to carefully dissect the pieces of the issue when it happens. Pay attention to the other lights like the HVAC control panel, the lights in the switches on the doors, even turn on the overhead reading lamps to see if the dim lights are just on the dashboard, or if the whole interior is affected. My first instinct makes me guess that the issue is internal to the instrument cluster itself.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Speedometer broken; warning lights on
Greetings! When a Check Engine Light goes on then off, a trace of what caused the light to set will usually be left in the vehicle's computer. A technician should retrieve the codes in the computer to see if there...
Car doesn't move when put into reverse or drive
The transmission in your Equinox (the 4L60E) is common - I replaced one recently. I suggest starting by checking your transmission fluid level: Start your vehicle, let it warm up, and with a rag, pull up the transmission dipstick tube...
Electrical signal to the injectors randomly malfunction
Hello. The issue you are experiencing is likely an intermittent crank position sensor failure. The crank position sensor is largely responsible for the fuel injector pulse because the pulse is alternated when the sensor passes certain points on the crank. If...
I can't find replacement control arm bushings, any thoughs?
Hey there. Thanks for writing in about your Cadillac Eldorado. For parts like these, RockAuto (http://www.rockauto.com/) is a good resource. They should have what you're looking for. Once you get the part and need service done on your control arm...
Okay so this is all very stupid I know. So I was doing donuts (yes doing donuts in my fwd suv)
Hello, thanks for writing in about your Buick Rendezvous. From what you've described, you most likely damaged the transmission. You will need to take the vehicle to a transmission mechanic to fix this particular issue. If you'd like a second...
My car overheated then died i got it started and drove to my house on the way it started making a loudticking noise and when i acc
Hello, and thank you for writing in. To begin we need to determine what made the vehicle overheat, and solve that issue first. The ticking may be caused by the oil, which is subject to issues when overheated, and can...
TICKING NOISE FROM ENGINE
Hi Anthony. Thanks for writing in to YourMechanic.com. Based on what you've stated above in your question, it is possible that the ticking sound is coming from a loose lifter or valve rocker arm (as the dealership stated in their...
Car doesn't start, Can a bad gas cap cause this ?
Hi There, A faulty gas cap can certainly case the check engine light (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/check-engine-light-is-on-inspection) to come on, but will usually not cause performance issues. The shaking and lack of sound from the fuel pump (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/fuel-pump-replacement) may suggest that the fuel...
Ford taurus leaks power steering from resivour when turned off
You need to have the fluid reservoir removed and tank cleaned out. The screen inside will get clogged and not allow good flow of fluid into the pump. Make sure the system is purged of all air and reservoir is...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Volkswagen Eos
The The Eos is the practical convertible lover’s dream. With a hard top and four seats, this car breaks tradition by offering luxurious touches at a less-than-luxury price. For those who want an affordable, sporty convertible with a bit more...
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Dodge Ram
While While Chrysler has decided to give Ram its very own division, it seems impossible not to think of the Ram 1500 as a Dodge. After all, you’ll still buy your 2012 Ram at a Dodge dealer, and it remains...
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Brake Light Bulb
If a brake light is dimmer or brighter than usual, slow to respond, or the Brake Warning Light comes on, you may need to replace a brake light bulb.