Weird dash light issue

[ventsyv]

When I start the car at night (03 Matrix XR) and turn the lights on, the lights on the transmission leveler do not turn on right away. If I put the car in gear and drive for a few feet the lights do come on.
Any ideas??

[ionshards]

My car ('03 Manual Base) does the same thing. When I turn the car on at night, put it in gear, and take the brake off (which turns the lights on), the dash lights take a second or two to turn on, usually after I've driven a few feet.

Not really sure why, but it might just be an '03 quirk. You're not alone.

[ROLLAYOTA1980]

hmmm havent noticed it on my 03 let me see if it happens to me

[wmcot]

My daughter has a 2002 echo that does the same thing. If she turns the dimmer all the way down and then back up, the lights next to the shift lever are out. If she puts her foot on the brake pedal and takes it off, they turn on - weird???

[PA Firefighter]

I think it has something to do with the Daytime running lights/auto-turn on feature. If you're E-brake is on, your lights stay off because there could be a switch to control it, not 100% sure. If you're parked, with the brake on, you dont really need your lights, do you? Disengage the brake, the car's computer knows you're about to start to drive, and it turns the lights on. I don't have this problem as I did the DRL disable. My headlights are only on when I flip the switch on the stalk.

[wmcot]

Originally Posted by PA Firefighter

I think it has something to do with the Daytime running lights/auto-turn on feature. If you're E-brake is on, your lights stay off because there could be a switch to control it, not 100% sure. If you're parked, with the brake on, you dont really need your lights, do you? Disengage the brake, the car's computer knows you're about to start to drive, and it turns the lights on. I don't have this problem as I did the DRL disable. My headlights are only on when I flip the switch on the stalk.

That's a good thought, except her 2002 model doesn't have the auto turn on feature on the lights.

[wmcot]

Originally Posted by wmcot

My daughter has a 2002 echo that does the same thing. If she turns the dimmer all the way down and then back up, the lights next to the shift lever are out. If she puts her foot on the brake pedal and takes it off, they turn on - weird???

OK. The gearshift lights finally went completely out. Replaced the bulb and no more problem. No idea why they would work when the brake was pressed????