'03 Hilux instrument panel lights dimmer control.

[JAMES399]

The instrument panel lights in my '03 Hilux 4x4 are non-adjustable, and they are far too dim. I removed the instrument panel, and cleaned the bulbs. It helped, but not much. I checked the bulb's operating volage, and it was approx 8vdc. I traced the circuit paths on the instrument panel pb board to the panel's plug, and the 8vdc is there. So somewhere in the wiring, Toyota is dropping the voltage, probably with a resistor. But Where??? There is a hole in the dash for the dimmer control, but it is filled with a plug. My Factory Hilux manual shows the variable resistor (dimmer) in the schematic (R5) being fed with 12vdc, but the dimmer is not shown in the wiring diagram.
Anybody know what's going on here. I hate to just tear into the entire dashboard trying to find where the voltage is being dropped without any sort of direction. Help please.

- JAMES

[niclemaitre]

Have you considered switching to LEDs? Made a huge difference on mine.

[drew3]

Have you considered switching to LEDs? Made a huge difference on mine.

Where did you manage to get LED bulbs? Ive been looking for them for my 2001 3RZ.

[niclemaitre]

From 4x4direct.co.za