2003 Dash Light Problem

Hi all. I have a 2003 Taurus push rod motor, 115k miles. I have a problem that only began the day after I installed a new battery and alternator.

When I first turn on the headlights, the dash lights do not come on. Radio and heater control lights work fine...clock is good - just the dash lights do not work. After I drive for about 10 minutes, they will suddenly pop on and I'm good to go. This happens in the morning after the car has sat overnight - and it happens almost every day. After work, when I turn on the lights, the dash lights almost always work just fine.

Anybody got any thoughts on this? Happened for the first time the day after I changed the alternator and battery.....hmmm.......I'm at a loss here....(I double checked all connections for tightness....and took of the battery cable and put it back on....

Try moving the dimmer switch from its current setting to a different setting. You might roll it a few times to clean possible contamination from it. Then rest the dimmer dial on at a setting other than what you would typically use and see if that has an effect. There might be a worn spot in the dimmer switch causing an open circuit intermittently.

-Rod