Entune button brightness

So this has been discussed before but no solution found. On my Entune, the Buttons On left/right side (HOME, APPS, AUDIO, etc) dim with headlights. Not a big deal at night, but if raining, dusk/dawn is pretty dark and tough to see. (See picture 1)



And before someone says anything, this is with the Instument panel brightness Maxed and “day mode” selected. (See picture 2)



Can this be altered? With the illumination wire to the unit? Any ideas? Again, apologies if this has been solved.

Thank you in advance

 

I wish there was a way. I like to drive with my headlights on at all times. I usually have to turn them off when I'm backing up in daytime so I can even see the camera.

 

I have same problem. I always drive with running lights on during day and cannot see the screen at all especially with sunglasses on.

 

Day/Night mode is only for the display screen, side buttons adjust with instrument lighting control...

...what you're seeing is expected behavior.

 

@TailHook I realize that. I didn’t know if there was a hack to fix it

 

Try the dimmer knob on the instrument cluster. Same one you push to check the trip A/B and to switch to odometer. Twist to the right to brighten instrument cluster and Entune.

 

You can always wire the headlights to turn on with DRLs. Or run the running lights to DRL.

I learned you can adjust brightness with headlights on and headlights off. They’re independent.

 

I get what you are asking. I would like to keep my headlights on and still have a bright day mode screen

 

Ugh I hate the daylight mode sensitivity. Every time I drive under an over pass, or a tree... or the shadow of a fricken power pole it seems, the damn thing switches to night time mode, and then back to daytime mode. I hate the constant toggling, and think its distracting.

 

Pretty sure I remember seeing a sensitivity setting buried in the etunes or dash setting menu. If not then for sure you should be able to adjust it with Techstream

 

OK so on the radio screen go to settings / bottom right hit the arrow / vehicle / vehicle customization / lights settings / headlamps sensitivity

I think that setting is for the auto on headlights.

 

Did anyone ever come up with a fix for this? I hate the buttons being so dark when I prefer driving with the headlights on.

 

ILL+ / ILL- is used by the radio. I have not tried this but you can disconnect them at the radio and fake ILL+ / ILL- differential < 1 V for always bright ' buttons'

 

There is a Light sensor on front right speaker on Dashboard panel.
Cover that with Black Electric tape!
Your Truck will be always in night mode and your dash light will be bright till you uncover the Sensor.
Hope this will help.

 

Yeah the radio lights toggling when you go under bridges drove me crazy too. There is a setting but you need TechStream or Carista to set it. The headlamp setting in the radio/entune just controls when the automatic headlights turn on I believe. I used Carista to set my interior light sensitivity to the lowest. Still toggles occasionally, but not nearly as often as it came from the factory.

 

I checked Amazon for techstream and carista and I'm seeing wildly varying prices .(19$ - $80) .Does it matter which I get?

 

Sorry, TechStream is a special program from Toyota that is used for advanced engine diagnostics, flashing ECU, etc. It isn't something you really can get for yourself in a "normal way". If you don't know what it is, probably easier to do the second option...

I'd recommend getting the

$40 Carista OBD2 - Bluetooth OBD2 Scanner and App - Car Scanner Diagnostic Tool and Code Reader with Access to Diagnostics, Customizations, Service Tools, and Live Data

Carista OBD2 scanner off Amazon. It is only $20 and you can scan and reset engine codes with it using apps like Torque, OBD Fusion, etc. (those are Android apps, I don't have an iPhone so I don't know what is out there for it) or something on your app store for your phone that works with OBD2 scanners. To change your settings though, you will have to use the specific Carista app along with the previously linked Carista scanner. Inside the Carista app you should have the option to get a trial to their advanced service and options. Activate that and then you'll be able to tweak a bunch of custom settings for the Tacoma. DON'T FORGET to cancel your subscription when you are done and/or before the trail period is up, or you'll be stuck paying for their subscription service for at least another year which I think is $40 annually.

 

I know this post is very old, but wanted to post this as it fixed mine. The surrounding Buttons brightness is impacted by the sensor on the dash of the passenger side. If something is covering this or the sensor has an issue, your buttons will not illuminate when you turn DRL or headlights on.

 

Same situation as 5Saints. I had the problem with the side buttons dimmed and I couldn't see them. After reading this chain I realized I had a pair of work gloves sitting on my dash that had slid over just enough to cover the sensor. Moved gloves, problem gone. Seems it's the sensor...Good luck!

 

I’ve tried look all over the web for a solution to something similar in this thread but can’t find anything. My 2017 Tacoma randomly stopped brightening my entune lights (nav/audio) when I turn my headlights complete off. Usually it brightens them up somewhat for the day light, but now I can barely see the light on the side bottoms on the screen even during the day. I have had the truck for 4 years and never had this issue. Could it be fuse related? Sensor? Any help is appreciated.