Switching on headlights switches off instrument lights

[earthmonkey1]

Hello,

In case anyone has had this prob before, or has ideas where to start looking, I'd be most grateful!

When I switch on the headlamps, there is no instrument panel illumination, and the odometer and temperature readouts turn off - so a totally dark dash, basically. When I turn off the headlights, the readouts come back on.

The instrument panel dials, warning lights, and the headlamps and indicators still work as normal as far as I can tell.

My car is an A4 tdi 110 '96.

Many thanks

Mike

[iwaters]

Is the dash light intensity set to low? Next to the headlight control there is a wheel switch which controls the brightness of the dash lights. Is this set to low, try changing this first.

[earthmonkey1]

Hi iwaters - i checked that control tonight and got the dash lights working again. Its actually the rod that sticks through the dash on my car, the one next to the clock. Pilot error! Many thx!

[iwaters]

Glad its sorted. :beerchug:

[delta925]

Hi iwaters - i checked that control tonight and got the dash lights working again. Its actually the rod that sticks through the dash on my car, the one next to the clock. Pilot error! Many thx!

I suggest not totally pilot error since I would be surprised if design intended to allow dash lights & instruments to go totally off rather than just be dimmed, but so long as working now on a 14 year old motor not worth time or money investigating further.

[earthmonkey1]

Yes, I suspect perhaps the pot was dirty and needed turning a bit - they can get a bit erratic when they are old and haven't been used much. Fingers crossed :)