[Snyperx]

Can anyone tell me if the in dash lighting in a non iDrive equiped 325i is supposed to vary in brightness depending on light levels? I was on my way to work and I seemed to notice the dash lights/OBC display get brighter and dimmer over the course of my drive. I had not previously noticed that and initially thought something was wrong with the car. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

[Snyperx]

No one can answer:-( I looked in the manual and it said nothing about the display (OBC, climate, radio) adjusting brightness automatically, but guess that doesn't mean it can't.

[blingman]

I dont think it does it automatically as far I know. You can adjust the brightness in the OBC stalk, click the toggle up or down on the left stalk(signal) and you will see an option on it.

[crashoverride]

It's not supposed too... It sounds like maybe the battery is starting to go. Dimming when their is a higher electrical load like loud music, AC or low speeds not generating as much electricity.

Now the 06 325 is the two door e46 right?

[Snyperx]

Originally Posted by blingman

I dont think it does it automatically as far I know. You can adjust the brightness in the OBC stalk, click the toggle up or down on the left stalk(signal) and you will see an option on it.

That's what I'm saying. I know how to adjust it in the stalk, but I know it has been changing brightness on its own when I have driven it the last couple of time. I am hoping I am not having yet another issue with my car

[Snyperx]

Originally Posted by crashoverride

It's not supposed too... It sounds like maybe the battery is starting to go. Dimming when their is a higher electrical load like loud music, AC or low speeds not generating as much electricity.

Now the 06 325 is the two door e46 right?

No, mine is a 4 door e90. It would be troublesome if it were the battery since it just got a new one when I got the car in September of 2011

[Martin528]

Could you be going into and out of various light sources like a street with lots of street lights and businesses to darker areas with no lights? It could make it appear lighter or darker? Are you taking a different route?
Just curious.

[Snyperx]

Originally Posted by Martin328i

Could you be going into and out of various light sources like a street with lots of street lights and businesses to darker areas with no lights? It could make it appear lighter or darker? Are you taking a different route?
Just curious.

I take the same route to work every day.

[Snyperx]

I can totally confirm that the lighting is changing brightness on its own. I should mention that my 2006 325i does have the light sensor option/auto headlight/auto wiper option. Would that make a difference? I am going to call the dealer today to see if they can answer for me as well.

[onebadmofo]

It does dim on its own. When your headlights are on the cluster backlight dims a bit. Also it can dim even when the headlights are still off/

[Snyperx]

Originally Posted by onebadmofo

It does dim on its own. When your headlights are on the cluster backlight dims a bit. Also it can dim even when the headlights are still off/

This is why I love this board I talked to the dealer and they are pushing that the battery might be working at only 3/4 charge. They are telling me to trickle charge the battery at 1.5 amps over night to see if that "resolves" my issue I am going to oblige them, but considering I am not showing any other power issues with other car systems, I don't think it is the battery/alternator.

[crashoverride]

Originally Posted by Snyperx

This is why I love this board I talked to the dealer and they are pushing that the battery might be working at only 3/4 charge. They are telling me to trickle charge the battery at 1.5 amps over night to see if that "resolves" my issue I am going to oblige them, but considering I am not showing any other power issues with other car systems, I don't think it is the battery/alternator.

That's not a feature.

It still sounds like a battery or alternator problem or the AC kicking in. Well it might not be a problem per se you just might be sensitive to the alternator or battery or AC straining the electrical system.

Try driving the car with the AC off.

Try driving with Radio off as well.


.

[Snyperx]

Originally Posted by crashoverride

Try driving the car with the AC off.

Try driving with Radio off as well.


.

LOL!! No AC here. Its like 8 degrees out.

[crashoverride]

I run my AC year round it drys the air out and is especially useful in unforgiving the windows. In fact on Hondas you turn the defroster on the AC lights up automatically.

But dude seriously the dimming isn't a feature. So it's an electrical issue. Thus you need to diagnose or start down list of electrical components main two are battery and alternator. Did you get same size battery, did the battery get properly registered? Then turn things off like AC radio heated seats etc... Best of luck sounds like its bugging you enough that I hope you find out what the gremlin is soon.

[Snyperx]

Originally Posted by crashoverride

I run my AC year round it drys the air out and is especially useful in unforgiving the windows. In fact on Hondas you turn the defroster on the AC lights up automatically.

But dude seriously the dimming isn't a feature. So it's an electrical issue. Thus you need to diagnose or start down list of electrical components main two are battery and alternator. Did you get same size battery, did the battery get properly registered? Then turn things off like AC radio heated seats etc... Best of luck sounds like its bugging you enough that I hope you find out what the gremlin is soon.

Well the dealer mentioned that if the alternator is not working/charging at 100% I would get a light in the dash. Now if the battery is having issues (not charging all the way, not registered correctly) then I would not see a light. As I mentioned in a previous post I am going to look at charging the battery tonight at about 1.5 amps as recommended by the dealer.

[Snyperx]

UPDATE: I pulled the battery this weekend and charged at 1.5A. I then took it in to the dealer this morning and they ran a check on the battery. Said everything was ok. Here is the print out:

[eradicate]

dat cold..need a semi-truck battery up there

[Fahrer]

A Suggestion: If your car has "automatic headlamp control" and you have it turned on, the interior instrument lights will automatically dim and brighten as the car passes in or out of tunnels, shadows, etc. and the headlamps turn on or off. Check and see if you may be running with the automatic headlamp control on.

[VTECaddict]

There is no dimming of the instrument panel lights. The only dimming is of the iDrive screen.

[Fahrer]

OP states his car does not have I-drive. My car's instrument lights (also a 2006 wihout I-drive) do dim when the automatic headlight feature is activated and the headlights come on in low external light conditions.

[Snyperx]

[onebadmofo]

Originally Posted by VTECaddict

There is no dimming of the instrument panel lights. The only dimming is of the iDrive screen.

Yes there is dimming.