Dashboard rheostat illumination control

Reaper · **October 12, 2011, 23:39:10**

Always found the dashboard light to be pretty bright, when driving at night, so thought I'd fit the dimmer I'm missing in the switch panel.

Haven't seen much on this, so thought I'd take a few and post them, though it's a very simple 5 minute job, might be of use to someone. If double post, mod can remove this post

Recieved the rheostat today, ordered on ebay for $36.99 excluding shipping. Package with part number:

Fitting the rheostat is very easy, only took a minute to figure it out, and no tools required. First the fusebox hatch is removed, where you have access to the connectors on the back of the other switches.

From there just press the back of the other connectors, to pop out the panel. Might require a bit of strength, just be careful not to break the panel locks.

The cable is already there from the factory, it's just connected to the blank, to cross the wires so the dashboard illuminates. The cable and the blank is easily removed, pressing the locks on each of them.

Once replaced and cable connected to the real rheostat, the panel just goes right back in and ready for use.

Here's a picture of my dash with the dimmer on MAX, the default brightness. Cameras autofocus had a bit of trouble, picture might seem a bit blurry.

And another with it set to about half.

Beside the instrument dashboard, both the radio display and all buttons on steering wheel, and center facia is dimmed as well.

Eyethirty · **Reply #1: October 13, 2011, 04:57:01**

Nice little write up mate.
You guys should get this as standard, like us.

I too have mine dimmed the lowest.
Moreso for the radio brightness.

Don't use the ISG much?

Shambles · **Reply #2: October 13, 2011, 07:34:54**

Splendid post - thanks very much for going to the trouble of showing us how easy it is to fit

I don't use mine at all - illumination is always set at the brightest.

Dazzler · **Reply #3: October 13, 2011, 09:57:33**

We get that one as standard in OZ even in the base model (But like Steve we both like ours set at the brightest)

Unfortunately, we don't get remote headlight adjustment on any model though

2i30s · **Reply #4: October 13, 2011, 10:06:59**

great post,very easy mod.

Reaper · **Reply #5: October 13, 2011, 12:47:33**

Quote from: Eyethirty on October 13, 2011, 04:57:01

Don't use the ISG much?

I try to use it when I can but it's not much, mostly because it requires a high battery level, which I'm unable to maintain without recharging the battery. You have to drive atleast 10 meters I think it is, before the ISG is activated. When I took the picture was only in the garage

ISG is equiped by default here, also on diesels from 2010 and newer.

Quote from: Dazzler on October 13, 2011, 09:57:33

We get that one as standard in OZ even in the base model (But like Steve we both like ours set at the brightest)

Unfortunately, we don't get remote headlight adjustment on any model though

They fit it here in Sense and Comfort models, but not default in classics. Probably my eyes that are sensetive, sometimes I could honestly keep seeing the speedometer on the road for a moment, after browsing the onboard computer numbers at night

Though I love the look and the blueish dashboard of the i30.

The best feature is probably the radio display dimming, I didn't know before it was fitted that it would. I've cursed a lot of times on the display. I always turn it off at night, but when pressing one of the steering wheel buttons, it turns right on again and not off automaticly.

What controls do you have instead of the remote adjustment of the headlights?

accim · **Reply #6: October 13, 2011, 13:12:19**

I didn't have that rheostat in my previous i30 too (Life equipment). I didn't have that much "problems" with the speedometer, but the radio light bothered me. Not when driving around during the day, but when driving at night.. Especially if it is really really dark and you have to park the car in some tight places and so on. I used the "dark" button on the radio a lot.

I have that rheostat in my new i30 now (Comfort) and really like it. I have it set on approx 50%. Especially because without it, it would be really annoying, because beside the speedometer and the radio, I now have the auto A/C, which would be annoying when illuminating at it's max.

I could live without it, of course. Did it for 3 years, but it's much better now, because I do 50% of driving at night and it comes really handy when it's dark & foggy & have deers jumping around the road

So, great update man!

eye30 · **Reply #7: October 13, 2011, 15:16:59**

Standard fit on my car. I set at halfway

Dazzler · **Reply #8: October 13, 2011, 21:32:09**

Quote from: Reaper on October 13, 2011, 12:47:33

What controls do you have instead of the remote adjustment of the headlights?

The dash light dimmer is on the left and we have a blank on the right

Skowen · **Reply #9: October 14, 2011, 11:45:45**

Thanks so much for inspiration! - I've just ordered this!

neoto · **Reply #10: October 14, 2011, 12:15:54**

Where can I get the pinout of this illumination control switch? I can't get the idea of automatic illuminaton control (as found in Audi, for instance) out of my head...

briandk · **Reply #11: November 29, 2011, 17:32:53**

Thanks for the writeup!

My i30 didn't come with the rheostat either and I've been blinded by it's disco lights for a year now.

Got the control from ebay and installed it today, works a charm!

zebrapad · **Reply #12: December 07, 2011, 20:58:59**

Did anyone try this on the 1.4 petrol version from 2007, would be nice to install this

With the dark winterdays, this would be very welcome.

Dazzler · **Reply #13: December 07, 2011, 21:00:15**

Quote from: zebrapad on December 07, 2011, 20:58:59

Did anyone try this on the 1.4 petrol version from 2007, would be nice to install this

With the dark winterdays, this would be very welcome.

Absolutely no reason it shouldn't work on that model...

zebrapad · **Reply #14: December 07, 2011, 21:14:34**

Quote from: Dazzler on December 07, 2011, 21:00:15

Quote from: zebrapad on December 07, 2011, 20:58:59
Did anyone try this on the 1.4 petrol version from 2007, would be nice to install this

With the dark winterdays, this would be very welcome.

Absolutely no reason it shouldn't work on that model...

Thanx for the quick reply!

I will ask my dealer what it costs to buy one from him, otherwise I will order it on EBAY .

zebrapad · **Reply #15: December 08, 2011, 18:24:53**

Ordered one on Ebay for €28 , my dealer wanted to charge me €85

Dazzler · **Reply #16: December 08, 2011, 19:50:31**

Quote from: zebrapad on December 08, 2011, 18:24:53

Ordered one on Ebay for €28 , my dealer wanted to charge me €85

85 Euro is ridiculous for something like that (28 is a lot more realistic and probably around what it would have cost the dealer

)

zebrapad · **Reply #17: December 17, 2011, 10:02:34**

Just received the ebay €28 rheostat. It's the original part from hyundai, but for the lower price.

Plugged it in and it works great.

Shambles · **Reply #18: December 17, 2011, 10:11:17**

Quote from: zebrapad on December 17, 2011, 10:02:34

Plugged it in and it works great.

Nice, well done. Was it as easy to fit as Reaper demonstrated?

zebrapad · **Reply #19: December 19, 2011, 05:01:21**

It indeed was a piece of cake

**Reply #20: February 22, 2012, 16:56:32**

Nice. Have just installed one in my own.

Reaper · **Reply #21: February 23, 2012, 15:53:56**

Is an easy and cheap fitting, very practical. Would hate to roll without it now.

fetflex · **Reply #22: March 14, 2012, 22:43:27**

It was really easy

Argus · **Reply #23: March 23, 2012, 18:44:41**

I also bought and installed the dashboard illumination controller, as described. Plug and cables were preinstalled. It works perfectly .

Doggie 1 · **Reply #24: March 24, 2012, 10:57:52**

Great post and obviously beneficial to others - well done.
As per the others who have posted, I have mine set to the brightest all the time too.

Flaban · **Reply #25: May 06, 2012, 18:38:44**

Hi if some one need the part i found it on E-Bay.
Becouse i was looking for it my self that i dont want to pay full price at dealer here in Denmark, to expencive.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/280862745270?item=280862745270&viewitem=&vxp=mtr

Dazzler · **Reply #26: May 06, 2012, 22:41:41**

Good find Flaban thanks

korben · **Reply #27: August 02, 2012, 09:31:10**

Cheers for the link

mine came standard with the trophy

AnubisZG · **Reply #28: February 08, 2013, 12:34:55**

Take a look at this site http://www.koraps.com

I bought dimmer for my I30FL 2011 today! 24.50$ Original part! You can pay with paypal!