2000 Impala dash lights go out at night

[TA455sd]

Has anyone experienced this? During the day, the dash displays all work perfectly, but when its dark out, they dim so low you cannot read them. The same goes for the radio and gear selector displays.

[gmtech1]

I hate to ask the obvious, but is the dimmer switch adjusted too low?

[TA455sd]

I wish it was the dimmer control but thats not it. I suspected something in a relay, the DRL I think but I bought another one and it didnt do anything.

[gmtech1]

It could still be a headlamp switch problem. The rheostat in the switch may be bad.

[TA455sd]

Are you talking about the one in the dashboard where the dimmer knob is?

[gmtech1]

Yes, the dimmer switch is part of the headlamp switch.

[oldblu65]

I have been through this with my 2000 Impala LS and I can tell you what corrected my problem . The headlight switch contains circuitry that dims the before-mentioned lighting when the DRL's shut off and the regular headlights are activated . I replaced my headlight switch and the problem disappeared .

[TA455sd]

Thanks everyone. I ordered one yesterday and hopefully this will correct it.

[TA455sd]

I installed the new switch and it works fine now. This the second one I replaced since I bought the car new in August of 99. The last time I needed to replace the female connector along with the switch as it was melted too much and it looks shabby again this time too. But it still worked. Does anyone know what could be causing this? There is evidence of a lot of heat going into one of the terminals.

Thanks.