Very dim A/C display. Anyone experienced issues before?

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Aug 8, 2014 | 02:31 AM
  #1  
Hi guys,

Quick question…

I just picked up my car from the dealer this morning. It’s been with them for two weeks. I had several things repaired/replaced under warranty.

Just as a side note for bragging purposes, I was fortunate enough that my entire panoramic roof assembly was replaced. You know how most pano roofs have issues closing? That “machine gun” noise that it creates because of the motor. Well… my Daimler Chrysler extended warranty approved the requested repair and ended up changing the whole thing. The cost of that alone was $7,481. My out of pocket cost was $200 for the deductible.

Anyways… back to the issue at hand. I had other things replaced as well… certain cooling hoses and other items relating to the A/C and heater. As I was on my way home, I turned on the A/C (which works fine), but I noticed that the A/C display is so dim that you can’t even tell that it’s on. I haven’t called my advisor yet, cause I want to see if anyone has experienced such an issue. The display isn’t “white” like it should be. It’s so dim that it blends in with the background.

If anyone happens to know what may be causing this or possibly have experienced this in the past, please let me know if there is a quick solution to this.

Any help is very much appreciated.

Thank you in advance.
Reply 0
Aug 8, 2014 | 03:09 AM
  #2  
Time for a new climate control unit as well
Reply 0
Aug 8, 2014 | 03:13 AM
  #3  
It was probably around twilight when it happened and it's simply your car auto headlights coming on and switching your dash to night settings. Turn off your head lights when it happens next time to check if the dash goes back to day time brightness. If that's it just adjust your night time display from the dash knob or turn off the night time settings through command.
Reply 0
Aug 8, 2014 | 01:59 PM
  #4  
I had the same issue after having the pano roof in my E500 replaced (CPO warranty). I brought it back to the dealer to have them fix it. SA said it was a damaged wire to the overhead control panel.
Reply 0
Aug 8, 2014 | 04:42 PM
  #5  
Guys, if the command screen is also dark it's in night time dim mode and all he has to do is turn the dash knob clockwise...
Reply 0
Aug 8, 2014 | 05:08 PM
  #6  
The tape wire that goes from the sunlight sensor to the area where the controls for the roof are has been damaged. Mine is doing the same thing. Let us know what your fix is.
Reply 1
Aug 10, 2014 | 11:21 PM
  #7  
Quote: Guys, if the command screen is also dark it's in night time dim mode and all he has to do is turn the dash knob clockwise...
Unfortunately, that's not the case. That's the very first thing i tried doing. When turning the knob, all dash lights get brighter except for the A/C display.



Quote: The tape wire that goes from the sunlight sensor to the area where the controls for the roof are has been damaged. Mine is doing the same thing. Let us know what your fix is.
I think you and i really are having the same problem. I'm going to bring it back to the dealer sometime this week and see what they can do. Not only is my A/C display practically gone, my radio doesn't brighten/dim during the day/night. The dealer technicians might have possibly screwed something up when re-installing the parts above the rear view mirror.
Reply 0
Aug 10, 2014 | 11:59 PM
  #8  
This happened to me a few years back and it has never happened again since. It was so dim that it was illegible and it was like that for a few days. It suddenly went away and has not happened since. I never did figure out what caused it.
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Aug 11, 2014 | 03:09 AM
  #9  
Mines dim also. Need to look into this ribbon cable I suspect.
Reply 0
Aug 12, 2014 | 01:27 AM
  #10  
Quote: This happened to me a few years back and it has never happened again since. It was so dim that it was illegible and it was like that for a few days. It suddenly went away and has not happened since. I never did figure out what caused it.
Interesting that you mentioned that, my display now "somewhat shows". It's not as "invisible" as it was these past few days. But it's still not as visible/bright as it should be.

I'm just waiting for my service advisor to return my call so that i can bring the car in for re-inspection of the poor work that was done.

A pet peeve of mine... is when a customer takes his/her car into the dealer and receives it back with additional problems the car never had.
Reply 0
Aug 15, 2014 | 01:29 PM
  #11  
The dealer found the issue. When the technician re-installed some of the wiring directly above the rear view mirror, one of the thin connectors (i apologize, i don't recall what it's called) got jammed between something and was cut.

The dealer ordered a replacement part and will install it free of charge since the problem was caused on their end. Total time to completely replace is estimated to be between 20-30 mins.

Problem solved. Good thing I didn't need a new A/C climate control cluster.


As a side note for those who are experiencing the same problem, the best way i can describe the part is... it's a really thin, white, flat electrical band with black connectors on both ends. I wanna say its about a 10-12 inches or less.

Hope this helps.
Reply 0
Aug 15, 2014 | 01:38 PM
  #12  
Glad to hear it's being taken care of.
Reply 0
Aug 18, 2014 | 08:18 PM
  #13  
How much was the part?
Reply 0
Aug 18, 2014 | 11:51 PM
  #14  
Quote: How much was the part?
I'll ask pricing for you when I bring back the car to get it fixed. Just waiting for a call to notify me that the part is in.
Reply 0
Aug 21, 2014 | 01:31 PM
  #15  
UPDATE



The dealer replaced the connector piece and the problem was solved.

No more dim A/C display.

The radio down auto dims and brightens accordingly.

Here is the part number below. Not sure how much it cost.

Reply 0
Aug 21, 2014 | 04:11 PM
  #16  
I just looked it up and MSRP is $13.50.
Reply 0
Aug 21, 2014 | 04:52 PM
  #17  
Quote: I just looked it up and MSRP is $13.50.
Wow... that's a major loss on my end.

I spent more gas money driving to the dealership several times just for them to inspect the issue, then come back a 2nd time for installation. And this was after getting my car back from $11k+ of warranty work.

Cheap fix for everyone else.
Reply 0
Jun 28, 2018 | 12:58 AM
  #18  
Worked like a champ
This fix worked perfect for me. Was having issues with dim climate control. Found out that white flat wire had been cut (probably from windshield company). Replaced and now she lights up like a champ.

Thank you you all for posting this simple but awesome fix
Reply 0
Nov 9, 2020 | 09:54 PM
  #19  
I've got a similar issue. Climate control is always very dim but my headlights and interior lights work as they should. I also believe that my windshield wipers sensor works as intended. Would it be the same cable that is being discussed in this thread? What is the part number? Thank you for your help.
Reply 0
Dec 3, 2020 | 02:10 PM
  #20  
Quote: I just looked it up and MSRP is $13.50.
Hi,
What was the part number that you looked up? I'll look up where it is and how to install.
I've had the same issue for years and didnt worry about it...
Reply 0
Apr 4, 2023 | 08:37 PM
  #21  
Yeah if someone could reupload the photo that'd be great. The old photo is down.
Reply 0
Apr 4, 2023 | 08:49 PM
  #22  
Quote: Yeah if someone could reupload the photo that'd be great. The old photo is down.

There is actually a backround menu somewhere in that display where you can turn up the brightness a bit that sorted my issue. Cant remember how or what I did tho was ages ago.
Reply 0
Feb 12, 2026 | 12:53 PM
  #23  
Quote: Hi guys,

Quick question…

I just picked up my car from the dealer this morning. It’s been with them for two weeks. I had several things repaired/replaced under warranty.

Just as a side note for bragging purposes, I was fortunate enough that my entire panoramic roof assembly was replaced. You know how most pano roofs have issues closing? That “machine gun” noise that it creates because of the motor. Well… my Daimler Chrysler extended warranty approved the requested repair and ended up changing the whole thing. The cost of that alone was $7,481. My out of pocket cost was $200 for the deductible.

Anyways… back to the issue at hand. I had other things replaced as well… certain cooling hoses and other items relating to the A/C and heater. As I was on my way home, I turned on the A/C (which works fine), but I noticed that the A/C display is so dim that you can’t even tell that it’s on. I haven’t called my advisor yet, cause I want to see if anyone has experienced such an issue. The display isn’t “white” like it should be. It’s so dim that it blends in with the background.

If anyone happens to know what may be causing this or possibly have experienced this in the past, please let me know if there is a quick solution to this.

Any help is very much appreciated.

Thank you in advance.
To recap, the solution was an ribbon wire cut, running up the glass above the rear view mirror assembly. Part cost under $14.00. Did anyone find the part number?
thanks so much, dim display on AC driving me crazy.
Reply 0
Feb 12, 2026 | 01:07 PM
  #24  
Quote: The tape wire that goes from the sunlight sensor to the area where the controls for the roof are has been damaged. Mine is doing the same thing. Let us know what your fix is.
This runs along the windshield upward?
Reply 0
Feb 12, 2026 | 01:11 PM
  #25  
Quote: I just looked it up and MSRP is $13.50.
Part number?
Reply 0
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