Instrument Cluster Always Dim - Daylight Auto-adjust Sensor at Fault?

[Dissent]

Hello all, my daughter just bought a 2006 GX470 and we are slowly base-lining it.

I have a situation with the daylight auto-adjust sensor. It seems to be acting up and the instrument cluster lights are always dimmed. Doesn't matter which mode the headlight switch is set to or whether it's cloudy or full sun. I can't find much on Mud about this problem and the FSM isn't showing me a solid troubleshooting path.

Has anyone encountered this that can point me in the right direction?

 

[OG Zuninja]

The cluster dimming is a known issue but its usually just sections of it rather than the whole thing. What do the rest of the dash lights do? Are they perpetually dim or do they change?

 

[Dissent]

I found the thread on the dim 10 MPH area but mine is whole cluster, the NAV screen, the A/C controls. Whole shebang is perpetually dim. When my wife's RX300 light sensor was covered by the Dashmat, it would do the same thing. I suspect the light sensor on the dash may be the culprit but was hoping someone had encountered this before.

 

[aztoytec]

Is there a dash mat covering the daylight a sensor?

 

[Dissent]

No, just the OEM cracked dash, nothing over the sensor.

 

[OG Zuninja]

I found the thread on the dim 10 MPH area but mine is whole cluster, the NAV screen, the A/C controls. Whole shebang is perpetually dim. When my wife's RX300 light sensor was covered by the Dashmat, it would do the same thing. I suspect the light sensor on the dash may be the culprit but was hoping someone had encountered this before.

Ah okay. Not I. Mine was just the cluster along with a funky fuel level needle. Were I you, I'd assume that sensor was also out.

Is there a dash mat covering the daylight a sensor?

I had a good chuckle with this.

 

[aztoytec]

Unfortunately I’ve seen that numerous times..
Also the dimmer switch being turned down.
You would think customers would be happy with an easy fix, but are usually in disbelief at first!

 

[OG Zuninja]

Unfortunately I’ve seen that numerous times..
Also the dimmer switch being turned down.
You would think customers would be happy with an easy fix, but are usually in disbelief at first!

Often times it is the easy fix and why I gave it the . With threads like these where the OP has been around for a minute, I assume they've looked at the easy stuff. I should probably stop assuming because I'm guilty of overlooking the easy stuff.

 

[Stonefoot72]

The daylight sensors and a lot of the switchgear in our rigs are boilerplate stock items across most Toyota lines. I spend a lot of time in pick-and pull yards. I added auto headlights to my stock Tundra with a donor sensor from a Sienna and a light switch (turn signal stalk) from a Camry. Direct replacements on both. My point is, you can roll the dice on replacing the sensor and dimmer wheel from a range of Toyota donors for cheap. I'm a troubleshooter typically, but sometimes $20 saves me a lot of time. Good luck regardless.

 

[Dissent]

Unfortunately I’ve seen that numerous times..
Also the dimmer switch being turned down.
You would think customers would be happy with an easy fix, but are usually in disbelief at first!

Yeah, not the dimmer switch either. I've tried all the basic stuff. Dimmer switch doesn't affect the NAV screen FWIW.

 

[Dissent]

The daylight sensors and a lot of the switchgear in our rigs are boilerplate stock items across most Toyota lines. I spend a lot of time in pick-and pull yards. I added auto headlights to my stock Tundra with a donor sensor from a Sienna and a light switch (turn signal stalk) from a Camry. Direct replacements on both. My point is, you can roll the dice on replacing the sensor and dimmer wheel from a range of Toyota donors for cheap. I'm a troubleshooter typically, but sometimes $20 saves me a lot of time. Good luck regardless.

That's what I'm thinking. Does it just pop out without any drama? Any idea if the wires are long enough to swap without taking the dash / cluster apart?

 

[Stonefoot72]

Pop out, plug in. There is no harness lead off the sensor or any of the buttons/switchgear I've encountered. The harness connector is run to the gadget connector in most platforms. Plug and play, but Id take yours with you just to validate the connector end is correct. 99% sure it will be. These items aren't just common across platforms, but common across a large range of model years as well. This is based on my experience, not on parts research.

 

[Dissent]

Pop out, plug in. There is no harness lead off the sensor or any of the buttons/switchgear I've encountered. The harness connector is run to the gadget connector in most platforms. Plug and play, but Id take yours with you just to validate the connector end is correct. 99% sure it will be. These items aren't just common across platforms, but common across a large range of model years as well. This is based on my experience, not on parts research.

Great, thank you! I was distracted when I responded and completely spaced that the connector is on the sensor...geez..been a long week today!

 

[Dissent]

That will be a junk yard trip...lexuspartsnow.com wants $150 for the sensor!
Lexus 89121-50020 Sensor, Automatic Light Control, 2001-2020 Lexus
89121-50020 - Lexus Parts Now - https://www.lexuspartsnow.com/parts/lexus-sensor-automatic-light-control~89121-50020.html?vin=&make=Lexus&model=GX470&year=2006&submodel=&extra1=&extra2=&filter=()

 

[Stonefoot72]

Haven't needed any of this stuff yet to verify, but I bet most electric motors (window, door lock, washer pumps, etc) would also be shared across platforms and year models. 470's, FJ's and 4Runners are scarce at self-serve yards, but Camrys, Siennas, Tundras and Tacomas are bountiful. I spend way too much time at pick-and-pulls, but as a tinkerer, it scratches an itch. And saves me $. Used parts, yes, but OEM.