Dash lights question

Are the dash lights on an FJ supposed to come on whenever the ignition is on? Mine work fine when the parking lights or headlights are on, but they are off any other time, and sometimes it's hard to read them with my sunglasses on while driving. I know the dash lights on my 06 Tacoma were on all the time, so I'm thinking the FJ dash is supposed to do the same thing.
Anything I can check to see if there's a bad relay, or loose connection, or similar??

 

I have noticed similar on mine. My 09 Tacoma was also brighter. I keep mine on the middle setting on the switch, but sometimes question if they are even on in the daytime

 

If this is the same issue that I have had with my 18 Tacoma TRD-OR 4x4, it drove me nuts for several months until I finally called Toyota and spoke with a Tech Support Agent, to which they had no solution. On mine, I have problems seeing the buttons that are inside the glass around the radio head unit. (I hope I am explaining these buttons correctly), they are "Audio, Apps, Home, Seek/Track and Phone" buttons (see attached pic). The only way that I can see these buttons in the daytime (especially sunny days) is have the headlight selector set on "off" or "DRL", if I turn the running lights or headlights on, these buttons get so dim that I cannot see them. Before anyone starts sending me the "easy solution to this problem", these button lights do not get brighter by turning the dash light stem "above the steering column" up or down. To my knowledge, there is not a way around this. I'm not sure if this is the same issue you are having but if it is, please let me know if you figure out a way around this. Good Luck!

 

my question is based on the owner's Manual saying that the instruments light up when the ignition is turned on. Not just all the warning lights, which do work, but the actual back-lighting for the speedo, tach, gauges, Etc. They were illuminated on my 06 Tacoma, and my 09 RAV-4, so I'm thinking they are supposed to be on on the FJ as well...

 

Yes, that is a different issue than what I was addressing.... Good Luck!

 

Will do

 

I'm with you. This morning heading out at dawn they looked like they were on, and an hour later....

 

O.K. FYI: When having Kato, my FJ serviced at the dealer, I checked out ANOTHER one they had on the used lot, and the dash lights worked exactly like mine did, so I'm going to concede and say that NO, they don't come on until I turn the parking lights or headlights on!