I just picked up my baby this past Saturday after waiting about 45 days for him. I adore this car, but just got in this afternoon to find my instrument panel isn't lighting up? My day-time running lamps are set, but I usually turn the left signal/lever so that my panel is all lit up also. For some reason it's not illuminating. I've tried pushing the little **** in the RPM gauage that's supposed to control brightness and that's having no effect. Any ideas of what could be going on, or for something else I could try. I called the dealership and the service guy said make an appt to bring it in...but it's not even a week old and I live about 2 1/2 hours away and I'm horrified that something could actually be wrong with my car already. I'm hoping that it's just me and something stupid I'm missing? Any suggestions? Thanks so much.....oh and Hi everyone, I'm new and totally freaking out obviously:impatient
-Jenn

 

Welcome to NAM first of all. Could be a fuse. Please let us know a little about your Mini, like the the model, transmission, etc. so that members can give you some advice.

 

In the afternoon?

I can't see my instrument lights in full daylight.

Let us know your results when it is getting a little darker.

 

Welcome to NAM.
On the L, where the computer access and lights turn on, you need to rotate the light button to turn on the dash lights. It's a 3 position switch. The headlights automatically turn on regardless of the switches position, but the dash lights will stay off unless you turn them on. Hope this helps?

 

It's evening. Do they work now?

 

ok - so i took my baby to my local mechanic, he checked all the fuses and they were fine. i was reading my owner's manual like mad. i think i got it figured out and everything's ok. i think that the brightness **** on the rpm guage has to be at the middle position for it to work...maybe. It's working now - and it's dark outside so i'm sure it's glowing orange. I don't know if it was me just totally freaking out or what but it all seems fine now - Thanks Goodness! Thanks so much for your sugggestions. I've been wanting a mini for years and now that i have him, i'm so nervous and amazed and a little bewildered (but in a good way). Anyways, thanks guys

 

Arguably the worst thing you can do as a new owner is read the forums At least, for me it made me overly paranoid about every little thing in my MINI.

Happy motoring!

 

With daytime running lights, the instrument lights (mood lighting too) don't go on until you rotate the end of your left stalk to turn on your headlamps (as if you didn't have daytime running lights). On the 2007s, externally, daytime running lights are the same as the lights activated externally when you turn on your headlamps.

 

Don't feel bad--I had a courtesy MINI with the daytime running lights. Didn't know the lights wouldn't work the same as mine, which is not programmed without DRL. Had a scary drive through the woods until I figured it out!