I'm hoping someone can help me to figure out which fuse is used for the dash lights on my 2012. I'd like to disable the door ajar light. I assumed it was the "Panel" fuse at the #2 position on the driver's side fuse panel, but when I tried that it didn't disable the light. I tried a few others, and had a look in the engine compartment panel as well, but no luck with any of the ones I pulled.

I was in the field at the time so didn't want to mess around too much, especially as my confidence in electrical matters is rather limited.

I've got a hatch tent, so want to leave the hatch open for 15+ hours. My assumption is that the dash light doesn't draw enough current to drain the battery too much, and I do carry a booster pack, but as I am a good 40-50 miles from any assistance where I'm camping I'd prefer to just pull the appropriate fuse and not have to worry about backup plans.

I suppose I could just go out to my truck and pull fuses until I get the right one, but figure someone will know (and spare me the awkward reach under the dash to the terribly placed panel!). Thanks for any insights offered...

I’m no car electronic professional, but I don’t believe it’s as simple as that.
There wouldn’t be a fuse for just one single light on the dash, it would be for multiple lights/electronics.
I think the solution to your problem would be, to remove the light bulb that illuminates the symbol from behind the instrument cluster.
Not sure how easy/possible that is in our 5th gens.

Thanks. The fuse I thought was right was labeled something like “Instrument Gauges”, or similar. I assumed it would disable all the dash lights, which I was fine with. I just don’t want the one that stays on when the hatch is open to light up. The rest are immaterial when not driving. I agree that it won’t be setup to isolate a specific one, but that’s not a big deal. I may just go back to pulling fuses until I find the right one. I’m home now, so it’s not so dire if I break one or something.

The dash light (door open indicator) is probably controlled by a direct output from an ECU. You don’t want to unpower that.

Here’s what you do:
- Open rear hatch door.
- Take a chop stick or similar tool and close the hatch locking mechanism.
- It takes two separate clicks to do it.
- Put a big red sticker somewhere so you remember to open the latch before you slam the door. Otherwise you’ll F* up the mechanism.
- To open the latch mechanism push the spongy door release button on the outside of the hatch door.
- Now shut the hatch.

Attached Images

           

Thank you!! I figured the switch was somewhere in the locking mechanism (unlike on the other doors where it’s right on the frame) but didn’t know how to get it to trigger. I will have to go and find some chopsticks now... Appreciate the photos as well.