Recently took delivery of my '02 and immediately noticed that the back-lighting for the dials to the left of the steering wheel (radio controls) is much dimmer than for the dials to the right of the steering wheel (climate controls).

The tech at my local dealer also noticed the major difference and took the dash apart. However, no bulbs were missing and none were of an incorrect wattage. He attributes this simply to a characteristic of the car.

Has anyone had experience with this discrepancy, or how to resolve it?

Thanks very much.

 

I've noticed that on my 01 the center seems brighter, but normally it's not that bad. However when it's been sitting in the 115 degree heat all day, it almost seems like its glowing in the center.

 

I just went and looked at the dashboard lights in my MY '00 car. It's sitting in a dark garage and indeed the right side lights (HVAC controls) appear to be brighter than the left side lights (radio controls). Upon further scrutiny I offer the following analysis. The area around the rotary controls for temperature and distribution have a larger amount of illuminated area than the equivalent control on the left side (start button and mode) and may give the illusion of increased brightness. Look at the fan speed control on the right and compare it to the radio volume control on the left. Tell me if they look different in your car, because in my car they are very similar in illumination intensity.

 

Illumination definitely brighter for center hvac controls compared to left side radio controls. More noticeable if dimmer at lower levels. I have 02 model #5360. I can live with it though.