I was driving in the mountains testing out our new used car, which had operated perfectly for close to two weeks, when the two screens that show everything from your speed, whether or not the air conditioning is on, how low your battery is, how much gas you have left, whether the lights are on during the day -- everything you need to safely operate the car at correct speeds -- went black. Very gradually, after quite a few miles of driving with no clue about my speed, you could faintly make out the speed. A couple of hours later, as we pulled up to a restaurant, we could see, faintly, both screens enough to be able to set the brake and know it was set. When we came out and turned the car on, the screens were perfect. The next day, in the middle of a downpour, the same thing happened. We were driving around Los Angeles, and the screens would suddenly spring to life (or light), and just as suddenly a few minutes later, would go black again.

We called the dealer and the person said there was a little contrast rachet wheel on the left side of the steering wheel, but we tried everything and could not get it to turn.

This doesn't seem like a short, with the way it goes on and off. Has anyone had this happen, and is there any way to fix it that doesn't entail an expensive electrical repair?