Instrument Panel Lights With Ignition

[katman]

So far I have only really found one thing that really irritates me about my Galaxy.

 

The instrument panel lights coming on with the ignition. Having been driving for almost 30 years my routine before setting off is to glance down at the instrument panel to make sure all warning lights are off, and if it is night-time, that the speedo etc is lit thereby indicating that the lights are on.

 

Likewise when turning the ignition off, I check that the speedo is not lit thereby confirming that my lights are off.

 

SWMBO gets to drive the Galaxy most of the time as I trundle up and down the A12 in an old Pug 309 so I only really get to use it at weekends but so far I have managed to set off without lights on half a dozen occasions and been buzzed at when opening the door because I keep forgetting to turn them off again!

 

Then again, perhaps it is just a sign of becoming a TOG!

 

Now if only I could find a low mileage, extremely cheap Galaxy TDI for me the Pug would be off to the scrapyard in a flash!

 

Keith

[Ivor_E_Tower]

Not heard of instrument lights coming on with the ignition in a Galaxy before; certainly they don't on mine. Anyone else know about this quirk?

[katman]

Just been out to check in case I am imagining it!!

 

When the ignition is turned on, the main instrument cluster that is always lit plus the bulb inside the light switch and the mirror and window controls.

 

When the lights are turned on the backlights on all the controls are then lit.

 

Using the dashboard dimmer, it is possible to dim everything EXCEPT the mirror controls. The window controls dim along with everything else.

 

I wonder if its because the LCD mileometer is more legible when lit.

 

Keith

[Al J]

Had the same problem on my old 97 Galaxy, instrument cluster lighting with ignition on but not all lights dimmed using dimmer switch. Had light switch panel replaced under warranty at the time and that sorted it out.

[Ivor_E_Tower]

I thought it sounded wrong - so far I've only come across Citroens where the instrument panel lighting is switched on with the ignition - and very confusing that was too - on a pool car somewhere I used to work. Misled you into thinking that you had already switched the lights on as it got dark. ;)

[toneinblack]

my gals dash lights are always on ( with headlights off or on )

[Guest vr6galaxy]

Mine does the same, the clocks light up when the ignition is switched on, it's so the LCD display can be seen better

[seatkid]

Prior to 1998 models "light" up instruments (i.e speedo etc) when ignition is on (and at brighter levels than with headlights on). The electrics were completely reworked in 1998 and now instruments dont light up with ignition only. Personally I preferred it the old way.

[Guest blatters]

No instrument lights come on whatsoever unless I turn on the sidelights. Then they are all on and I can then control the brightness via the rheostat (see Ivor, those technical terms are beginning to flow - haven't done the central heating boiler wingnuts yet though - Sunday job, me thinks. Might make News at Ten if job goes as per usual B) ).

 

Sounds odd but I can only speak for the facelifted Ghia version.

 

Regards. Blatters :(

[katman]

Prior to 1998 models "light" up instruments (i.e speedo etc) when ignition is on (and at brighter levels than with headlights on). The electrics were completely reworked in 1998 and now instruments dont light up with ignition only. Personally I preferred it the old way.

Ah, so I am not going mad and dont have a faulty Galaxy ....just an old one.

 

I would much prefer that the instrument lights ONLY cam on with the Lights as I almost drove off again tonight with no lights on :-(

 

Got much more important things to do now. SWMBO had bought me the bits for an InCar PC so I have to figure out where and how I can fit it.

 

Unlimited choice of music for me and movies for the kids. :-)

 

Regards

 

Keith