[Timothy Buchanan]

I bought a 2016 scion iA, still under warranty. The display screen's brightness can be set to high or dim, but the auto-dim at night does not work. I was told that a sensor on the dash should control that. On the right side of the dash I see a plastic dome that seems to be a cap of some sort, not a sensor.

Was the auto-dim function on this model an option, and could I make it work by pulling this cap and installing a sensor? If so, what would be the part number for that sensor? Thanks for any help.

 

[WilsonT123]

I bought a 2016 scion iA, still under warranty. The display screen's brightness can be set to high or dim, but the auto-dim at night does not work. I was told that a sensor on the dash should control that. On the right side of the dash I see a plastic dome that seems to be a cap of some sort, not a sensor.

Was the auto-dim function on this model an option, and could I make it work by pulling this cap and installing a sensor? If so, what would be the part number for that sensor? Thanks for any help.

Hey Tim,

Are you talking about the Instrument cluster

if Instrument cluster (tachometer, fuel gauge, speedometer etc..)

I don't think their is a auto-dim feature. But you can adjust the Dashboard illumination knob on the top right corner of the instrument cluster. (Turn left or right bright/dim respectively).

With headlight switch off, adjust dashboard illumination knob.
With headlight switch on (preferably at night) adjust dashboard illumination knob.

see video (https://www.capomazda.com/blog/how-to-dim-or-brighten-mazda-dashboard-lights/)

 

[iAoperator]

there is no auto dim just dim it by turning it

 

[will4958]

I tried fiddling around with that, too (a little to much), and didn't get anywhere with it. However, if you have Android Auto installed, you can set the app on your phone to automatically dim the head unit. The instrument cluster won't dim, but your head unit will. If you have Developer Mode enabled, you can select Developer Settings from the app's main settings menu, then select Day/Night, then Phone-controlled as the preferred option. From then on, your phone will automatically dim your screen.

 

[yrwei52]

I tried fiddling around with that, too (a little to much), and didn't get anywhere with it. However, if you have Android Auto installed, you can set the app on your phone to automatically dim the head unit. The instrument cluster won't dim, but your head unit will. If you have Developer Mode enabled, you can select Developer Settings from the app's main settings menu, then select Day/Night, then Phone-controlled as the preferred option. From then on, your phone will automatically dim your screen.

You have Android Auto installed? Is that from some sort of hack?

Yeah I don't believe there's an "auto"-dim feature for both instrument cluster and infotainment screen. I do notice if I turn the instrument light adjustment / trip odometer reset stick knob to the right-most during the night with the headlight on, both instrument cluster and infotainment screen become the brightest mode or day-time mode which will be too bright for night-time driving. Just can't turn past that little resistance when adjusting the instrument cluster and infotainment screen brightness with that stick knob for night-time driving with headlight on.

 

[2016 Scion iA MT]

If the infotainment screen does not auto-dim when you turn the headlights on, it means you have the dimmer knob (the one in the dash) set all the way up to maximum brightness. Turn it down just one notch and that fixed the issue, the screen will auto-dim when you turn on the headlights. It took a visit to the dealer to figure this out when I also thought mine didn't have auto-dim; it does.