FREE REPAIR MANUALS & LABOR GUIDES 1982-2013 Vehicles
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Instrument Cluster and Panel Illumination

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND PANEL ILLUMINATION

The instrument cluster and panel illumination is used to provide backlighting to the dimmable and non-dimmable switches and control components.

For MKZ vehicles equipped with autolamps, if the exterior lamps are activated during daytime sunload conditions, the message center, audio control module (ACM), heating ventilation air conditioning (HVAC) module and switch illumination remain at full intensity and do not dim from the instrument panel dimmer switch during this condition. If the vehicle travels under a bridge or a tunnel, the low level of ambient light causes the illumination level of the message center, ACM, HVAC module and switch to change to the level set by the instrument panel dimmer switch. The message center, ACM, HVAC module and switch illumination change back to full intensity when the intense ambient light is restored.

Dimmable Backlighting
The dimmable switches and components are illuminated when the headlamp switch is in either the PARKING LAMPS ON or HEADLAMPS ON position. The level of intensity is adjustable by rotating the instrument panel dimmer switch either up to increase intensity or down to decrease intensity. The dimmable switches and components consist of:
- Ashtray
- Audio control module (ACM)
- Clock
- Deck lid release switch
- Door lock control switches (MKZ)
- Hazard/passenger air bag disable/traction control switch (if equipped)
- Headlamp switch
- Heating ventilation air conditioning (HVAC) module
- Instrument cluster (IC)
- Instrument panel dimmer switch
- Memory set switch (if equipped)
- Message center switch
- Speed control switches
- Steering wheel audio control switches
- Transaxle range (TR) indicator
- Window adjust switches (MKZ)

Non-Dimmable Backlighting
The non-dimmable lighting switches and components are illuminated when the accessory delay relay is energized. The non-dimmable switches and components are illuminated at full lamp intensity. The non-dimmable lighting switches and components consist of:
- Cigar lighter
- Door lock control switches (Fusion, Milan)
- Roof opening panel switch (if equipped)
- Window adjust switches (Fusion, Milan)