Climate control display brightness

andypont · Post by **andypont** » Sun May 11, 2014 7:43 pm

As you may have seen, in other posts, I have recently fitted a digital climate control in my 5th gen to replace the manual slides.
Everything seems to work fine - including the display dimming when the lights are on. However that is my problem.
During normal daylight the display is quite bright and can be seen without any problems. At night it dims when the lights are turned on so isn't dazzling yet is still quite visible. Its when its cloudy, dull, dusk etc and I drive with my lights on during the day that it really becomes difficult to see the display.
As anyone had, and overcome this issue? If so then how?
At the moment I am considering trying to find out which wire controls the dimming and then cutting this feed to run through a discreet switch. This would mean I can turn on / off the dimming as required. Though if there's a way to install a brightness control then this might be a better fix. I believe some US models have a dimmer switch in the panel above the coin tray, but I don't have any spare slots here so would have to find an alternative position - even if hidden behind the dash or something.
Any suggestions would be welcome.

Post by **newkid** » Sun May 11, 2014 7:47 pm

Unsure on 5ths but thats normal on 4th gens bud, obviously the advantage is on the 4th you could click the dimmer switch over to force them back to full brightness. Hopefully one of the 5th gen owners can confirm if its the same on theres and if they have a dimmer switch function.

K30DPC · Post by **K30DPC** » Sun May 11, 2014 7:59 pm

The think is while driving without headlights on buttons aren't illuminated. Illumination comes on at the same time when display dimms. All this is done by single wire and it will be dificult to separate those operations. By removing one resistor from main board you can disable display dimming, but then it will become annoing at night. Secret button sound like a solution, but it isn't practical as you have to operate it manualy.

I have the same issue with mine CC. I have some plans to it but for now it have to wait. I'll try to make it working same as my dash ilumination and buttons will be illuminated only when headlights will be on and dimmed proportionally with dash as well. Wish me luck

Post by **RattyMcClelland** » Sun May 11, 2014 8:25 pm

As newkud said 4th gens can adjust the dim level.
But I have the same issue in my 5th gen. I just live with it.

The "S" express · Post by **honda-hardy** » Sun May 11, 2014 8:32 pm

RattyMcClelland wrote: I have the same issue in my 5th gen. I just live with it.

yeah, i have the same too. also the fan is poor too. all 4 sections illuminate at each of the fan button pressings, the fan does change to all speed settings, but the fan is still nothing like on my 4th gen or my third for that matter.

Post by **newkid** » Sun May 11, 2014 9:38 pm

honda-hardy wrote:
RattyMcClelland wrote: I have the same issue in my 5th gen. I just live with it.
yeah, i have the same too. also the fan is poor too. all 4 sections illuminate at each of the fan button pressings, the fan does change to all speed settings, but the fan is still nothing like on my 4th gen or my third for that matter.

Sounds like your motor could be jamming on something or on its way out, my 5th (fair enough its not climate) but the fan works just as good as the 4th did.

andypont · Post by **andypont** » Sun May 11, 2014 9:50 pm

Thanks for the replies. I will find somewhere to put a switch. Its probably not often I will need to use it as Its not always necessary to have lights on during the day, and even then its generally a case of setting the temp and leaving it alone. Just frustrating having to turn the lights off to change something!
Sounds like you have something wrong with your fan @honda-hardy. I have no complaints with mine. I have actually got a spare if you want to try it? Yours for the cost of postage, though no small job removing your dash to access it.

The "S" express · Post by **honda-hardy** » Sun May 11, 2014 9:53 pm

Don't get me wrong. the fan is turning freely as it should on all 4 speeds but not noisy or exceptionally blowy. The next meet ill have to compare.
Andy, thanks for the offer.i may take you up on it. just i cant be arsed to remover the dash.

andypont · Post by **andypont** » Sun May 11, 2014 10:15 pm

honda-hardy wrote: just i cant be arsed to remover the dash.

I can relate to that. When I was at this point (and still removing bits) I was having second thoughts

If I get down for LLL's meet I will throw the fan in the boot, and if you decide its worth changing its yours.

Post by **RattyMcClelland** » Sun May 11, 2014 10:28 pm

I think the fans are far better than the 4th Gen. Way more quiet.