2004 Grand AM SE V6 dash, shift colum lights dim and brighten

[spritetle]

I took my car to the shop because the dash, radio, and shift column lights would dim then come back up to set light intensity intermittently. They changed a module, which made the lights dimmer even at highest dimmer setting, and this morning all but the radio light was out completely - no shift column or dash lights. I adjusted the dimmer switch with no increased light intensity. Took it in, mechanic read through book and said it is suppose to work that way during the day. It never has before. Previously the light intensity was adjustable even during the day and would brighten considerably. Now he thinks it is a chip. I just paid for the module to be changed and it made the problem worse. I'd like to let the mechanic know if anyone else has had this problem and what it was. Anyone know what could cause this problem in a 2004 Grand AM SE V6?
Thanks. tle

[xeroinfinity]

Welcome to AF!

I assume this isnt a GM dealership ?

What "module" exactly did he replace??
During the day with the DRLs on I dont think you can adjust the dash/instrument lighting. At night or when its in a dark area it might pop on when your auto light control turns on your headlights(not the DRLs).

Though this could be a one of many things causing this.
First Id make sure the battery terminals are clean & tight, and the power wire that goes to the underhood fuse box. They sometimes corrode and cause problems simular to this.

Also these tail lights are leakers and it its shortin out it'll cause problems simular to this dimming youre experiancing.
If the shop you took it to had a GM tech II scanner it would show the short in the tail lights or just about anywhere for thta matter.

Good Hunting

[spritetle]

Thank you for your response. On this particular vehicle the dash and shift column lights had been on continuously when the car was turned on, since I bought it in Sept 05. During the day I turned the dimmer switch down to dim them, then back up for night driving. A coworker has the same year, model, and her dash/shift lights are always on (in auto position) too. When reading through the book this is not the way the book describes it should work.

After the module was changed (the car is back in the shop today so I don't have the ticket to see what the module was - I asked if it was the multi-function switch and he said No) the dash and shift lights work as the book says it should, but this isn't the way it worked before it was changed and my concern is that something was causing it to work differently (perhaps not the module that was changed). The reason I had it checked was because the dash/shift lights were dimming and brightening during daytime driving on their own. Night driving it didn't do that.

Friday morning was cloudy and driving in I had no dash/shift lights, this morning I did have dash/shift lights.

I also noticed the intensity of the dash/shift lights are not as bright as they were before the module was changed.

I've had multiple mechanical problems with this car, security ignition switch, blinker switch, tie-rods, heater/ac knob, brakes, hesitates (while driving in rain or high humidity - which they can't figure out - a major tune-up didn't solve the problem), steering seal leak, and always take it in right away for repairs. Oil changes are on time, and recommended mileage maintenance is done on time. The auto repair clinic is the same one since I bought the car but is not the dealership (I work in a different city than where I bought the car).

Thanks again.
Troy Lynn

[xeroinfinity]

Ok, maybe the 04's do have the ICP and console(shifter) lights are dimable during the day.

Either way, if the fuses & relays for the DRL & ALC are good, then Id think it was a dimmer switch problem.
But thats probley what they just changed(the module) and you say it made it worse.

If you were driving down a road, during the day, and it gets kinda dim lit in the shadows, your Auto Light Control - ALC will kick the headlights on/off and your dimmer will work when they're "ON".
Or if your Day Time Running lights relay is flakey, it can cause simular issues with your lighting.

Like I had mention earlier is their are any shorts it could cause this.

Does this 04 GA have a sun roof or any interior leaks ?
These models are known leakers, usualy toasting fuse boxes and BCM.

Has anyone checked for corrosion inthe under hood fuse box ?
These also get wet and can have some corrosion inside the box, not realy visable outside.

Might have to bite the bullet and take it to the stealership to get it diagnosed properly, they have the power. lol

Hope that helps and Good Luck!