If you turn up your interior dashboard light settings, then the radio display will be brighter too. The radio dims to the setting for the dashboard when the lights are turned on.
I would replace the headlight switch as Ford has had their share of these problems.
The instrument cluster lights have their own fuse. It's a 5 amp at the bottom center of the fuse block. When the lights are on, the radio draws lamp power from the instrument cluster. This allows you to dim the brightness of the radio display with the other internal lamps.
Probably because the dimmer switch is turned off. Turn the dimmer switch up and see if the dashlights and radio illumination lamps come on.
If you are parked and you want to here the radio without the Automatic headlights on. Some times if you engage the parking brake it will turn off the automatic head lights.
on the back of the car
the dash and radio lights are supposed to dim when the headlights come on. Make sure you have the brightness of the dash lights turned up as much as possible.
I would replace the headlight switch as Ford has had their share of these problems.
It's a relay. Which one it depends... I would start from testing headlights relay.
The instrument cluster lights have their own fuse. It's a 5 amp at the bottom center of the fuse block. When the lights are on, the radio draws lamp power from the instrument cluster. This allows you to dim the brightness of the radio display with the other internal lamps.
the radio is wired to the headlight power supply wire, that's why it will only come on when you turn on the headlights. my buddy did this to his truck in the best buy parking lot when it was getting dark out.
dimmer switch below light controls is turned down? i have an 05 and that happens when the dial has been moved. hope that helps
The headlights place a larger load on the battery and cause the voltage to drop enough to dim other devices slightly.
The radio display is usually tied to the dash board lights. As you raise or lower the illumination on the dash, the radio lights should change. During the day (with your headlights off), the radio display is at full brightness so it is easier to read in daylight.
The instruments light dim for night driving when the headlights are turned on. Check to insure that your dash dimmer switch is on high. If it is, then you have a problem with either the dimmer switch or the wiring.
Most likely, the dash light dimmer is turned all the way down. That particular dimmer only comes into play when the headlights are turned on. Try turning it back up. did you find out what was wrong with the dashboard im having the same problem
if you have no headlights the battery is dead or one of therminals is very corroded.
Will your lights headlights come on? Will anything work? Had something like that happen to me years ago. I had no lights and nothing worked. Turned out it was an alternator. There could be something else that would be wrong but, it would be something to check out.