So when I'm driving with my headlights on during the daytime, the clock is too dim for the time to be visible. The dimmer is on full, and when I turn on the lights, everything else on the center console (radio, climate control) stays the same brightness, but the clock dims. In my Max, the clock is the only piece on the console with brightness not controlled by the dimmer. Why is that?

Is there a solution to make the clock either keep it's brightness and NOT dim when I turn on the headlights, or, like the rest of the center console, be controlled by the dimmer adjustment **** and not be interfered with by the headlight switch?

 

All you have to do is pull out the clock and cut 1 wire so the clock display remains at high intensity when the lights are on. Here's the write up:

http://www.vqpower.com/v2/articles.php?article_id=29

 

Does anyone know where to put the red dimmer wire to have the clock brightness controlled by the main dimmer **** in the car just like the climate control and radio?

 

Yeah, I just found that suggestion in an unrelated thread about changing the clock color or something. There is a suggestion for routing the red wire to the climate control console:

"Here's an idea: Run a jumper from the climate control to the clock so that it works the same way." BlackMaxdout

I'm just curious how to do that. Anyone have the pertinent wiring diagram(s)? Would it just mean running that red wire with blue tracer to the dimmer switch? As in cut/remove the red/bluetracer wire at the clock console and with an extension wire run it to the dimmer? Or not that simple?

 

I think a better solution would be to just correctly wire the headlights so that they are DRL's, rather than run the entire lighting system all the time. Why would you want your rear lights to be on during the day as well as the headlights?

 

Actually, it would be cut at the headlight switch and run that end to the dimmer (as opposed to cutting it at the clock)?

 

my suggustion is to just do the always bright clock mod like mentioned above. its easy and fast. i did mine a year ago and i love it

 

I'm not sure we're on the same page.

 

If you want the clock to dim like the rest of the dash cut the black wire running to the clock and connect that (wire going to the clock) to any red with yellow stripe wire. You can just strip off some insulation from R/Y wire and run a wire to the clocks black wire. EDIT: THIS WILL NOT WORK! DO NOT DO IT.


I agree that is annoying, think I'll do this tonight just to make sure no one will have any issues. Only hard part may be getting at a R/Y wire.

 

Just cut the wire for a always bright clock

 

why would u need headlights on during the day ? Thats why nissan did that, they made the lights dim so you know that your headlights are on during the day and that you should turn it off ahah

 

Thanks man. Post back. Right now I'm inclined to cut the red. But if you manage to do the black without any issues and have the clock brightness work with the main dimmer I'll do that instead.

 

actually they did that so the clock isnt blindingly bright in your near direct field of vision at night.

its a dumb idea to cut that wire, just wear a watch if you wanna run your lights during the day.

 

Yes you would need to cut the black wire. I know it may not make sense but what you are doing is placing the brightness adjustment between the light and the path to ground. This is how all the other adjustable lights are wired.


I'll let you know how it goes.

 

I forgot to add the following disclaimer :-)
Warning: This procedure is very dangerous, you can very easily screw up your wiring. The key to doing this is taking your time and looking everything over twice before doing it.

 

Well, I disagree, and will get this done one way or another. I just need to verify which wires to cut and where to rout them to see if it's worth hooking up to the dimmer. I don't have a wiring diagram to see if cutting the black is the right thing to do. I need more info.

I'd prefer to be able to dim the clock with the radio and CC. But I won't be weaving on the highway because the now bright clock is confusing and distracting, if I end up just cutting the red.... C'mon now. That's just silly.

 

If you want your headlights to be daytime running lights, the correct way to do it is to install a DRL kit, they run about $25 to $40.

That way, as soon as you turn the key on, your headlights will also come on, but not your rear parking lights and you will not have to worry about your dash or your clock being too dim.

Here is a kit at Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Pilot-Performa.../dp/B000HTWNZY

 

Well, now I'm SURE we're not on the same page.

EDIT: so get DRL and the clock stays the same as if lights are off.... I think I get it. I'm a bit slow. I see what you're saying but I'm not too keen on DRL. I turn lights on when it's cloudy, but mostly when it is raining, during the day. Otherwise they stay off.

 

my bad, didnt read far enough in to see you wanted to wire it to be able to dim the clock still. i was thinking you just wanted it to be bright all the time.

g/l with the mod

 

[QUOTE=atriuum;7310192]Well, I disagree, and will get this done one way or another. I just need to verify which wires to cut and where to rout them to see if it's worth hooking up to the dimmer. I don't have a wiring diagram to see if cutting the black is the right thing to do. I need more info.
[QUOTE]


Edit: Running Black wire to R/Y as I suggested does not work.

 

Oh well, I tried as I suggested above and it did not work. The wiring diagrams did not show this well but the clock and the clock bulb share the same ground internally in the clock. The clock needs the ground wire (Black) connected directly to ground to operate properly. Because of that it is not possible to connect the clock bulb to the dimmer in the same manner as all the other lights.

If you cut the Red/Blue wire running to the clock and try to connect it to the dimmer it will not work properly either. It cannot be wired to the existing dimmer while keeping all the other dimmer lights working correctly.

Cutting the Red/Blue wire seems like the only option, this will keep your clock always brightly illuminated.