Dim information panel

[12Ounce]

OK ... I know this is not a biggie ...but it has irritated me from the very beginning, when I picked up my new 1999 Windstar SEL (3.8) many moons ago .. now with 375K miles.
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The instrument panel includes two information panels ... the left one displays the Odometer reading, its OK. But the RH information/message panel ... "MPH, Miles left on fuel, outside temperature, compass headings, etc., etc." ... are all so dim, they cannot be read in any level of sunlight. ... there is one exception, as I remember, the alarm message concerning oil change needed ... that message is nice and bright.
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Does anyone know a fix? Is there an adjustment? Can the information/message panel be replaced ...will that fix dim problem? Is there some service shop that car repair? Thanks for any help.

[scubacat]

Question: Is there any change if you turn on the headlights?

[scubacat]

Check this out. It's for the other display but it could be a similar issue.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1_FVOVj2ms

[12Ounce]

Yes, turning the lights "on", dims the cluster even more ... and that Youtube link is very interesting. I will give that some study.

[scubacat]

It really sounds like something electronic with the panel itself. If it's too difficult to retouch the solder, you might have to just grab one from a junkyard or something. I don't think it's going to be something outside of the unit itself unfortunately.

I retouched the solder in our ABS module successfully years ago although that was a huge pain to access (had to cut it open with a dremel and epoxy it back together) and required removing brake lines and getting a shop to bleed the air out of the HCU when it was done.