Can the shortage in my dim lights be fixed or do i have to get a dimmer switch

Before you start replacing parts ,need a little more information . Maybe able to save you some time an money . Does the horn work when you push the horn button , does the air bag light stay lit in the instrument cluster ? The button lights for the bottons on the steering wheel are lit by the BCM - body control module . Interior Lamps Dimming
The second group includes lamps which may be dimmed. This group may use a combination of vacuum fluorescent (VF) illumination and incandescent lamps.
When the ignition switch is turned to the RUN position, the radio's vacuum fluorescent (VF) displays turn on at maximum brightness. When the park lamps are on, all incandescent back lighting turn on at the dimming level indicated by the I/P dimmer switch. At the same time all vacuum fluorescent (VF) displays dim to match the indicated dimming level. The panel dimmer switch potentiometer is an input to the BCM. When the driver selects a dimming setting by moving the I/P dimming switch potentiometer, all incandescent back lighting lamps are provided with a specific voltage. When the I/P dimmer switch is moved from MIN to MAX, all vacuum fluorescent (VF) displays, as well as all incandescent back lighting respond from minimum intensity to maximum brightness in response to the I/P dimmer switch.
The following switches and components have back lighting when the park lamps are on:
• The instrument panel cluster (IPC)
• Radio, front and rear
• Window and heated seat switches
• Garage door opener switch
• Selectable ride switch
• Roof beacon switch
• Power take off (PTO) switch
• Headlamp leveling switch
• Rear wheel steering mode select switch
• HVAC control assembly
• Headlamp and panel dimmer switch
• Transfer case shift control switch
• PSIR disable switch
• PRNDL lamps
• Traction control switch
• Steering wheel control switches
• Fog lamp switches

Could be the clock spring inside the steering coulmn ,under the steering wheel if horn doesn't work ,air bag light lit etc...

. The illumination is controlled by the BCM - body control module .
Interior Lamps Dimming
This group includes lamps which may dim. This group may use a combination of vacuum fluorescent (VF) illumination and incandescent lamps.
• HVAC control module, head assembly
• Rear HVAC control module, head assembly
• Radio
• Rear seat Audio
• The instrument panel cluster (IPC)
• The PRNDL lamp, with the exception of the current gear select position
• Power window switches
• Various switches
When the ignition switch is turned to the ON position, the VF display, radio, turns ON at maximum brightness. When the park lamps are ON, all incandescent back lighting turn ON at the dimming level indicated by the instrument panel (I/P) dimmer switch. At the same time all VF displays dim to match the indicated dimming level. When the headlamp switch is placed in the PARK position, the park lamp supply voltage circuit provides an input to the body control module (BCM). The BCM then supplies voltage to the I/P dimmer switch through the I/P dimming lamps control circuit. The setting of the I/P dimmer switch determines the amount of voltage that the I/P dimmer switch supplies to the BCM through the I/P dimming lamps low reference circuit. The BCM then sends a pulse width modulation (PWM) voltage to all the interior lamps. All the VF and incandescent back lighting lamps are provided a specific voltage and are then grounded. When the headlight switch is turned to the park lamp or headlamp position, all incandescent back lighting turn ON at the dimming level indicated by the I/P dimmer switch. When the I/P dimmer switch is moved from MIN to MAX, all VF displays, as well as all incandescent back lighting respond from minimum intensity to maximum brightness in response to the I/P dimmer switch.


Do you know what DTC'S - diagnostic trouble codes are ? Codes set in the BCM
DTC B2610 00: Passenger Compartment Dimming 1 Circuit
DTC B2615 00: Passenger Compartment Dimming 2 Circuit
DTC B2652 00: Passenger Compartment Dimming 3
Circuit/System Description
The instrument panel (I/P) lamp dimmer switch is used to increase and decrease the brightness of the interior backlighting components. The I/P dimmer switch provides a voltage signal that will increase as the brightness of the lights are increased and decrease as the brightness of the lights are decreased. The body control module (BCM) provides a low reference signal and a B+ voltage reference to the I/P dimmer switch. When the I/P dimmer switch is placed in the desired position, the dimmed voltage setting is applied from the I/P dimmer switch through the I/P dimmer switch signal circuit to the BCM. The BCM interprets the signal and applies the dimmed voltage to the I/P lamps supply voltage circuit and the interior backlighting components dim to the requested level. Ground for the I/P dimmer switch is provided at G201.

sunroof fuse 1 20amp / power windows - circuit breaker 25 amp
both of these are located in the instrument panel fuse box .

Back lighting or warning lights ? check engine , ABS , air bags , seat belt , oil light etc... ?
Interior Lamps Dimming
The second group includes lamps which may be dimmed. This group may use a combination of vacuum fluorescent (VF) illumination and incandescent lamps.
• Power window switches
• HVAC control head assembly
• Radio
• The instrument panel cluster (IPC)
When the ignition switch is turned to the ON position, the vacuum fluorescent (VF) display (radio) turns on at maximum brightness. When the park lamps are ON all incandescent back lighting turn ON at the dimming level indicated by the IP dimmer switch. At the same time all vacuum fluorescent (VF) displays dim to match the indicated dimming level. When the headlamp switch is placed in the PARK position, the park lamp supply voltage circuit provides an input to the body control module (BCM). The BCM then supplies voltage to the instrument panel dimmer switch through the instrument panel dimming lamps control circuit. The setting of the instrument panel dimmer switch determines the amount of voltage that the instrument panel dimmer switch supplies to the BCM through the instrument panel dimming lamps low reference circuit. The BCM then sends a pulse width modulated (PWM) voltage to all the interior lamps. All the vacuum florescent (VF) and incandescent back lighting lamps are provided a specific voltage and are then grounded. When the headlight switch is turned to the PARK or HEADLAMP position, all incandescent back lighting turn on at the dimming level indicated by the IP dimmer switch. When the IP dimmer switch is moved from MIN to MAX, all vacuum fluorescent (VF) displays, as well as all incandescent back lighting respond from Minimum intensity to maximum brightness in response to the IP dimmer switch.

I would have it checked for DTC'S - diagnostic trouble codes stored in the BCM !
DTC B2624 Display Dimming Input Range/Performance
The body control module (BCM) supplies voltage to the instrument panel dimmer switch through the instrument panel dimmer switch signal circuit. The dimmer switch varies the voltage and returns the new voltage to the BCM through the dimmer switch signal return circuit. The BCM uses this voltage to determine the illumination level of the instrument panel lamps.

DTC B2625 Display Dimming Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) Output Circuit Range/Performance
The body control module (BCM) receives a variable voltage from the instrument panel (I/P) lamp dimmer switch. The BCM uses this signal in order to vary the illumination level of the I/P lamps. The I/P dimming lamps output from the BCM is a pulse width modulated voltage supply used to light the I/P lamps. If a malfunction occurs in the I/P dimming lamps output circuit, this DTC is set.

DTC B2662 Park Lamp Switch Circuit Malfunction
The park lamps are controlled by the turn/headlamp switch. Positive battery voltage is supplied to the switch through the EXT LP fuse. When the turn/headlamp switch is placed in the park or head position, battery voltage is supplied to the park lamps. The body control module (BCM) is also connected to the park lamp circuit to sense whether or not the park lamps turn ON when the low beam or high beam headlamps are turned ON. The BCM also uses the parklamp battery positive voltage to power the instrument panel (I/P) dimmer output circuit. If the BCM senses that the low beam or high beam headlamps are ON and the park lamp input is not active, DTC B2662 sets.
Do the park lamps work ?

The sensor is usually located on the top of your dashboard. You might see it if you look into your vehicle through your windshield at your dash.
I have seen( one time ) that a gps was bright enough that it caused the dash lights not to come on because the sensor thought it was light outside.
Or you could have gotten a bad sensor.

Does the radio play ? Are any other back lighting components not lighting ? Does the HVAC control panel light up ? You probably need new radio !
The second interior lighting group includes lamps which may be dimmed. This group may use a combination of vacuum fluorescent (VF) illumination, LED illumination and incandescent lamps.
When the ignition switch is turned to the RUN position, the radio VF display turns ON at maximum brightness. When the park lamps are ON, all incandescent and LED back lighting turn ON at the dimming level indicated by the instrument panel (I/P) dimmer switch. At the same time all VF displays dim to match the indicated dimming level. The panel dimmer switch potentiometer is an input to the body control module (BCM). When the driver selects a dimming setting by moving the I/P dimming switch potentiometer, all incandescent back lighting lamps are provided with a specific voltage. When the I/P dimmer switch is moved from MIN to MAX, all VF displays, as well as all incandescent back lighting respond from minimum intensity to maximum brightness in response to the I/P dimmer switch.

Dose

It's not high and low beam, it's the dash lights that are dim. I've hooked up many aftermarket radios but never knew it was a no no to hook up the dimmer/illumination orange wires in a '01 civic. I googled it and seen many others with similar issues like mine but nothing exactly like the issue I have.

All the dash lights work, they are dim though. The radio lights work but they are even more dim than the rest of the dash lights. I have check every single fuse under the dash and in the engine bay. The dim controller does not work at all now. I'm guessing that's the issue and from what I read, the dimmers circuit board is in the instrument cluster. Some can fix it, others can't.


I will probably end up buying a used instrument cluster off of ebay, they are not expensive. Hopefully that fixes it since everything else works.


Oh, yes, the brake lights work.


Ted, I think you answered the wrong question...I mentioned nothing about the battery or the low/hi beams

On the headlight harness to the one that's dim, find the ground wire, and add a new ground to body on that wire.

Soldering the new bulbs in may have done something to the LH DIMMER MODULE ! The 10amp INT LPS fuse located in the I/P fuse box is good ? Is the dimmer switch at full bright ?
When the park lamps are on, battery positive voltage (B+) is supplied through the instrument panel (IP) fuse block INT LPS fuse via CKT 32 (YEL) to the dimming switch. The dimming switch supplies a variably controlled voltage to the dimmer module(s). The potentiometer in the panel dimming control cannot provide enough current in order to operate the panel lamps. The dimmer module(s) amplifies the current, supplying the variable voltage to the panel lights. As the amount of the current increases, the lamps become brighter. As the amount of the current decreases, the lamps become dimmer.
Buick
There is only 1 dimmer module that supplies current to the panel lights. The left dimmer module supplies current via CKT 8 (GRY) to the following components:
• The headlamp switch
• The door switch flood lamps
• The heater and A/C control
• The door handle flood lamps
• The passenger temperature control
• The ashtray lamp
• The shift select switch lamp
• The instrument cluster
• The steering wheel controls
• The reset switch
• The trip odometer
• The radio
Parade Dimming
The parade dimming feature prevents the dimming of the VF displays when daylight is sensed by the lamp control module (LCM) and the park lamps are turned on manually. If the LCM senses night time conditions and the park lamps are on, the LCM allows the VF displays to be dimmed.
All of the modules with the VF displays receive the dimming level from an input on CKT 8 (GRY) or CKT 1244 (BRN). When the LCM determines that the above conditions are met, the LCM sends a signal to the instrument cluster and the radio via CKT 390 (YEL). For Buick, the radio then relays this information to the heater and A/C programmer and passenger temperature control via CKT 724 (PPL/WHT). The modules with the VF displays then adjust the dimming level of their VF displays to match the level of the incandescent lights.
LH Dimmer Module
Under the left side of the IP, on the left side of the steering column brace

Are all of these not working ?
• Air temperature switch
• Cigar lighter lamp
• Door switches
• Driver information center (DIC) switch
• Headlamp switch
• Head-up display (HUD) switch
• Heated seat switches
• HVAC control assembly
• Instrument panel cluster (IPC)
• Memory function switch
• Radio
• Steering wheel controls
• Window switches

Interior Lamps Dimming
This group of interior lighting includes lamps which may be dimmed. This group uses a combination of class 2 controlled illumination and incandescent lamps:
• Air temperature switch
• Cigar lighter lamp
• Door switches
• Driver information center (DIC) switch
• Headlamp switch
• Head-up display (HUD) switch
• Heated seat switches
• HVAC control assembly
• Instrument panel cluster (IPC)
• Memory function switch
• Radio
• Steering wheel controls
• Window switches
For the interior lighting to be dimmed the following conditions must be met:

Here is a discription of how they work ,factory service info.
• A low light level has been detected by the dash integration module (DIM)
• Headlamp switch is placed in to the PARK or HEAD position
• Ignition switch is placed in the ON position
Then all class 2 displays and all incandescent back lighting will be illuminated to the level set by the instrument panel (I/P) dimmer switch. When the I/P dimmer switch is moved from MIN to MAX, all class 2 displays and all incandescent back lighting respond from minimum intensity to maximum brightness.
The DIM supplies battery positive voltage to the coil side of the PRK LP relay in the rear fuse block.
When the I/P dimmer switch is moved from MIN to MAX, then the instrument panel module (IPM), W/CJ2, or climate control panel (CCP), W/C67, applies a message to the class 2 communication circuit to the DIM. The DIM then applies a ground to the park lamp relay control circuit. This energizes the PRK LAMP relay and allows battery positive voltage to be applied through the DIMR fuse to the DIM. The DIM then illuminates the following incandescent lamps through the incandescent dimming output circuit:
• Cigar lighter lamp
• DIC Switch
• Headlamp switch
• HUD switch
• HVAC control assembly
• IPC
• Radio
• Steering wheel controls
The DIM also applies a message to the following class 2 controlled illumination components:
• Drivers door module (DDM)
• HVAC control assembly
• IPC
• Radio
The DDM will then send a message through the simple bus interface (SBI) to the RH front door module (RFDM). The door modules will then illuminate the following components through the incandescent dimming output circuit:
• Air temperature switch
• Heated seat switches (W/KA1)
• Memory function switch (W/A45)
• Power door lock switches
• Power window switches
The ground for these components are provided from the DDM and RFDM.
The following components are grounded at G200:
• Headlamp switch
• HVAC control assembly
• Radio
• Steering wheel controls
The following components are grounded at G201:
• Cigar lighter lamp
• DIC Switch
• HUD switch

Having the vehicle checked for DTC'S - diagnostic trouble code's would probably be your best course of action .
DTC B2556 (1)
The I/P dimmer switch is a potentiometer. The instrument panel module (IPM) determines the control setting based on the voltage from the I/P dimmer switch. The IPM sends out a class 2 message to the dash integration module (DIM). The intensity of the interior backlighting shall be adjustable when ever the park lamps are on. The intensity of the vacuum florescent displays shall only be adjustable when it is night and the park lamps are active.
DTC B2627
DTC B2628
Circuit Description
The I/P dimmer switch is a potentiometer. It is powered by the HVAC control module. The HVAC control module determines the level of dimming desired based on the voltage from the I/P dimmer switch. The HVAC control module converts the I/P dimmer switch feed back voltage to a digital signal and puts it on the Class II communication bus.

Dash Integration Module (DIM)
The DIM is wired to the class 2 serial data line. The various DIM input and output circuits are described in the corresponding functional areas as indicated on the DIM electrical schematics.
The DIM functions include the following:
• Control of headlights and exterior lamps
• Horn relay control
• Interior lamps incandescent dimming
• Lamps On signal with wiper/washer
• Power moding control over Class 2 serial data line
• Steering wheel controls
• Storage of the clock settings and, sending a message out on the class 2 serial data circuit in response to requests from other modules

Your best bet ,take your vehicle to a qualified repair shop.

To dim your head light, pull your turn signal switch. To dim your dash lights, rotate the switch by your head light switch