Without warning the back lighting for my dash, power window switches & ventilation controls went out. I read several sites, this one included, to narrow the problem down to either a fuse or the headlight control switch. The fuses were fine so I ended up going to a salvage yard and picked up a new/used switch, and read online how to remove the dash panel and replaced the switch. From start to finish it took me 22 minutes and the new/used switch cost 35.00. The old switch was obviously the problem because once I unhooked from its electrical plug, there was a burn mark on the back. Now all the dash lights work. Another odd detail is when I would turn the rear defog on the little orange light would not illuminate and the fresh air, or recycle light, would turn off when the defog button was pushed. This new/used switch corrected that problem as well.

At first it was an intermittent problem. Working with a private mechanic it appeared to be the light switch. (lights are programmed to come on automatically upon starting) The dash lights seemed to come on upon wiggling the light switch. This happened three times and they stayed on for about three weeks and I was careful not to touch the switch to adjust the brightness of the interior lights. However, two days ago they went off again upon starting the car and no amount of wiggling the switch has any affect on the lights. Could this be related to the auto-lights-on program? Could it be the light switch? All dash lights are out. The shift indicator has a faint glow as does the radio display (can only see this in the dark). No repairs have been attempted as yet. The mechanic told me the light switch is a little over $140.00 plus labor to remove the old and install the new. After reading these other complaints I'm not sure what to try. It may not be the switch. I'm driving at night now with a flashlight to see the dash when needed to check my speed. Very frustrated!!!

Update from Sep 5, 2010: The problem has been found!!!

There were two problems, one the light switch was defective, the switch was replaced and the lights worked, however, it was then the mechanic noticed the day-time running lights and night-time running lights were not working correctly. It appeared that it was always in night-time running mode. He thought the dash sensor could be bad, however, it wasn't there where it should be beside the windshield defrost vent. The hole for the sensor was empty. The mechanic took the dash apart and found the sensor down inside the dash. It was always in the dark, therefore, the lights always ran in the night-time mode. The sensor was put into the dash hole and the lights worked normally.

After a couple thousand miles of driving there has not been any further problems with the lights.

My dash went completely haywire, I had no speedometer, gas gauge, nothing.Once in a while after the car warmed up then my lights would work. The car dealer where I bought the car kept trying different fixes. The first was a new dash cluster. ($400.00)

This did not fix the problem. I took the car back the next day. This time they put in a dash module. I went to pick up the car and paid $416.00. Still not fixed. I went back in raising hell and they refunded this money. It turns out it was the air bag module (488.00). I still was charged for the first cluster because they said it was bad.(who know's if this is true)

I have always maintained my car very well. I contacted General Motors and they said it was normal wear and tear. Bull crag.

Instrument Panel and Radio Display Lights work fine BRIGHT during the day. However, at night they are dim no matter what position the light adjustment knob is in. My car has automatic "Daytime Running Lights" and these display lights typically change brightness depending on day and night. It appears they are operating in reverse as they are bright during the day and dim at night.

The result is I can't see what speed I am going. For night highway driving I turn on the interior overhead light and set the cruise. Not so good for city driving.