Dash lights - I want them on all the time

Hi! Pop-of-Spfd here.
I'm not new, but haven't been on the form for a while, and this is my first post.

I have a 2012, and I have trouble seeing the instrument panel during the daytime.
I want to bypass the daylight sensor with a switch to keep my dash lights on until I want them off.
Anyone have a 2012 wiring diagram that would have the necessary information on it, or a better idea?

 

Are you talking about the instrument cluster backlighting?
It is on all the time, you can change the brightnes with the dimmer wheel when the headlights are on or off.

 

I don't know about your tuck, but when its daylight the daylight sensor shuts the dash lights off in my 2012. My eyes aren't as good as they use to be, and wearing sunglasses makes it impossible to see the dash or the radio!

 

What happens when you turn your headlights on?
Do the headlights get dimmer, or brighter?

 

I drive with my headlight on!
Are you asking if my dash lights dim? I don't know.

 

When the headlights are off. The lights get brighter.
I just checked mine, to make sure.

 

There's no daylight sensor or automatic lights on a 2nd gen, the backlighting in the cluster should be on at all times and can be adjusted with the dimmer. It will dim somewhat when the headlights are turned on but still can be adjusted with the dimmer wheel. Not sure about the radio backlighting as mine has the touchscreen radio.

 

Sorry! I do know, my dash lights are dim until the "daylight sensor" senses it dark, them the dash lights come on.

 

You sure about the "daylight sensor"? If i cove it, it changes several things. I can't remember what right now, but it seems to!

 

Is your truck a 2012 Tacoma?
Where is this sensor?

Because there's never been one on a 2nd Gen Tacoma that I have ever seen. Nor on a diagram.

 

If your talking about a 2012 Tacoma there is no daylight sensor from the factory, if there's one on there someone added it aftermarket.

 

Would really like to see a picture of said sensor.

 

I'm sure I'm wrong, or calling it by the wrong name, and maybe it's because I drive with my lights on all the time.

I did notice when I turn my headlights off, the dash lights are a little brighter. Still not bright enough, and "yes" I know about the dash rheostat.

So, is that it? As long as I drive with my headlights on my dash will be dimmer?

 

Yes when the headlights are on it's going to dim the backlighting somewhat.
Being a 2012 it should have amber daytime running lights so there should be no need to run with headlights on.

 

Heck it might be time to get to the doctor and them eyeballs checked. Turning the headlights off will help but it’s not magically gonna make the cluster some super bright “oh I can see it now” .

 

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Here’s a work around option. I used a similar one with a single instead of double light.

My situation was a dash light was dead. Disassembled the dash, replaced the bulb, put it back together, it worked until I hit a bump in the road. I believe the problem was the bulb socket was worn due to the previous owner had those silly big wheels, it bounced and banged like mad. All that vibration wore out a bunch of things. I took it apart again, pulled the bulb socket tabs out a little bit. That worked a little longer but eventually went out again. Since taking the dash apart was such a pain in that car I used the clip on light. So then I could at least see the speedo in the dark.

It’s just a usb rechargeable book light, flex neck, 3 brightness settings. Better than nothing.

 

I have "heard" that Unplugging the rheostat will make the dash lights full bright all the time. You just will not be able to dim them.

Looking at the Illumination Circuit seems to confirm that thought as the rheostat shunts the illumination circuit partially to ground to dim the lights, with it removed nothing is shunted to ground and you should have full illumination.