2001 Forester dash lights go out when headlights turned on

[Smcavana]

Any ideas why our dash lights would go out when the headlights are turned on?
Thanks. Susan C.

 

[Larry Van Wormer]

Any ideas why our dash lights would go out when the headlights are turned on?
Thanks. Susan C.

They will dim when your headlights are turned on. If the variable dash
light level knob is set to minimum, they would indeed go out, or close
to it. Have you checked that?

Larry Van Wormer

 

[Smcavana]

Thanks so much, that was it. I must say we're feeling just a bit dim witted for
not figuring it out ourselves, especially after 4 years of owning the car. We
really appreciate your help! Susan C .

 

[Wayne Farmer]

They will dim when your headlights are turned on. If the variable dash
light level knob is set to minimum, they would indeed go out, or close
to it. Have you checked that?

Larry Van Wormer

I have a Forester 2001 S, which doesn't have daytime running lights. If I
turn on the headlights during the day, the clock display gets so dim that
it's difficult to read (especially if I'm wearing sunglasses). Anybody have
a fix for the clock?

Wayne

 

[C. Brunner]

Thanks so much, that was it. I must say we're feeling just a bit dim witted for
not figuring it out ourselves, especially after 4 years of owning the car. We
really appreciate your help! Susan C .

Don't be embarrassed. That nifty little knob is one of Subaru's
stealth features... like the parking lights over-ride button on the
steering column, and the tiny little heater button for the side-view
mirrors, and the warm-up function for the windshield wiper blades, and
the steering wheel tilt adjustment knob (for those of us who haven't
had one before), and for owners of late 90's vintage OBWs, perhaps the
notorious in-dash cupholder. And, for other models, the back-seat
cupholder in the console. Oh, and the "secret" fuse you install when
using the temporary spare tire (for the OBW, not the Forester).

C. Brunner

 

[Ignignokt]

I have a Forester 2001 S, which doesn't have daytime running lights.
If I turn on the headlights during the day, the clock display gets so
dim that it's difficult to read (especially if I'm wearing
sunglasses). Anybody have a fix for the clock?

On my 2004 Forester, pressing and holding the power button for a couple of
seconds will cause the radio display to revert to "daytime" brightness.
Same thing for the "off" button on the climate control system.

- Greg Reed