On Tue, 11 May 2021 22:35:56 -0400, Clare Snyder
wrote:

On Tue, 11 May 2021 16:42:39 -0400, micky
wrote:

In alt.home.repair, on Sun, 09 May 2021 00:32:57 -0400, Clare Snyder
wrote:

On Sat, 8 May 2021 15:45:02 +0000, Keithv
wrote:

toyota land cruiser for one, it had a weird 24v starting system with a parralleling relay so the 2 x 12v batteries could be charged from 12v alternator
No they didn't. They had full 24 volt systems including the
alternator on all diesel Cruisers. At least all the ones sold in
Canada before 2000. To operate 12 volt accessories required a buck
converter. I used to produce and provide a system to adapt them to tow
12 volt trailers. I was also a Toyota service manager back then.
.

Maybe you can help me then. I have a 2005 Toyota Solara and it has 3
"meters" above the radio that, unless sunlight is shining right on them
through the back window, I can't read in the daytime.

After dark, a backlight goes on for them and they're easy to read.

These are the clock, the trip info gizmo (MPG, DTE, MPH, and ET), and
the outside temperature.

Is is this the way it was designed, or is something broken?


I've been trying to rewire things so the lights are on all the time
whenever the car is running.


I know this is a 2005 car and the only date you mention is 2000, but
does any of this ring a bell?


I have the factory wiring manual for 2005 Solaras (plus the online
version for 2006). It seems to refer to all three meters as the Clock

It uses a photocell on the dashboard to turn the speedo cluster and
other lights (glovebox; radio, AC, and seat heater buttons, shift
indicator) on when it gets dark, from the Taillight relay through the
Panel fuse (which is separate from the Taillight fuse). The wiring
diagram seemed to confirm that the car was designed this way, because it
shows a lightbulb labeled Clock in the saem circuit in parallel with

So I found 12v that were on whenever the engine was running, at the Seat
Heater switch, and removed the Panel fuse and shorted the 12volts at the
switch to the Panel light wire at that switch. And now all the lights
go on all the time, EXCEPT the three I care about.

When this didn't work, I used a heavy dark rag to cover the photocell
and I can trick the headlights into going on during the day, but
amazingly the Clock light isn't tricked.



Any ideas what I should do next?


Posted and mailed
I was out of the dealership by then, but a simple piece of duct tape
over the sensor will turn the head lights on constantly when the
engine is running. That SHOULD turn on the instrument lights. e-mail
me the schematic / wiring diagram and I'll look at it
Does it get dimmer when the headlights are on? It should. It should
DIM when the headlights are on and be brigher during the day I think.
Is this an orange/red light? or green?