How to turn instrument cluster lights off?

My 2006 Taco's instrument cluster lights are always on even when the headlight switch is off. This causes me to forget to turn the headlights on many times.

What specific modification do I need to make to to turn the instrument cluster lights off except when headlights or parking lights are on (like most vehicles are)?

Thanks,
Jeff

 

Look for the *headlight on* symbol on the display?

 

when i open my door after shutting off the engine and removing the key, my headlights turn off on their own=no dead battery.

you can turn down the brightness on the left of your console on 2nd gens. it is a little wheel knob that you adjust.

 

Headlights should turn off w key, mine do I have an 07.

 

Thanks for the replies but none of them answered my question.

This is not a problem with the headlights turning off or a dead battery.

Maybe I didn't explain my problem clearly enough. When I start my '06 Tacoma and the engine is on, the dash lights are always on, regardless of whether or not I've switched on the headlights or not. I do not have daylight running lights.

This is problematic to me because in most cars I know if the lights are on or not by noticing if the dash lights are on, specifically when it starts getting darker outside.

Because of this odd functionality, I am frequently forgetting to turn on the headlights as it gets dark out since the dah lights are already on.

I know there's this miniature headlight indicator light in one of the gauges, but that's not as obvious.

My question is technical in nature: What specific electrical modification do I need to make so that the instrument cluster lights go on when I turn the headlights on and off when I turn the headlights off like most vehicles function?

Thanks, Jeff

 

You can't. Learn to look at the green indicator, leave the lights always on, or figure out how to turn the knob when it gets dark. If you can't do any of that...idk then

 

Not to be rude, but this does sound like operator error. The headlight indicator symbol is green, as compared to the red/orange dash lights. It's kind of obvious as it gets darker to notice if the green light is on or not.

the only other suggestion I can give is study up on a wiring diagram. You might be able to pick up on something. I have not seen anyone else around here do this, but there are plenty of diagrams around. If you do figure it out, be sure to do a write up!

 

Try searching for a wiring diagram. Someone posted one for our entire truck, if I find it i'll put up a link. I'd imagine it could be done with enough knowledge of the electrical system but would be PITA and require you to tear apart the entire dash. It'd take a relay that would only power the dash lights when the light switch is turned on.

Like others have said, just leave the lights on all the time, they turn off with the ignition and you'll never have to remember to turn them on again. Problem solved.

 

You guys don't have the dimmer to the left of the steering wheel? I can turn my dash off completely with my lights on.

EDIT: Nvm just re-read the question

 

Or pay attention to the radio and A/C controls. They aren't lit up until you turn the lights on, only the clock is.

 

Glow-in-the-dark gauges is the way things are moving in the automotive world. It isn't unique to the Taco. The green light indicator is there for a reason.

 

My 06 is the same way. its quite annoying. The cluster is lit all the time regardless if you have the headlights on or off. Only way to turn it off is by turning the dimmer all the way down.

 

Actually, you'd be surprised how many cars up here in Canada run at night with just their DTRLs on. The orange ones on the taco are bright enough that I can see how they get confused for proper headlights (other than the orange versus white...haha). The worst ones for this are the Chevy/GMC trucks that use small white "headlights" as their DTRLs.

 

I was guilty of it when I first got my Tacoma. My old Chevy had the sensor and automatically turned my lights on for me when it got dark. I had to get used to turning on my own lights again