New guy needs help with something stupid!

[Fins_UP]

Hey all!

I apologize in advance if this message gets a little lengthy, but I have a couple of things to say and ask. First of all, I just wanted to thank you guys for all the helpful information here. I bought my '04 SE V8 (Strat. Mica) back in May of this year, and (almost) needless to say, I love it (after having had 2 Jeep Grand Cherokees).

I've been using the site for about a month now, just signed up last week. Found some invaluable information here when I was putting in my Blitzsafe Aux Input adapter for my Sirius satellite radio (which, incidentally, is the greatest thing since sliced bread, IMO - I'll get into that some other time). I was very nervous to tear apart the inside of my car, as I'm not exactly very mechanically inclined when it comes to cars, but it turned out to be a breeze with some help from a few threads here at this forum. So thanks for the help! :thumb:

I have a question about my car. It's kind of silly, but I figure I can get to the bottom of it here. Below those weird controls for the air conditioning are two buttons. The one to the lower left of the controls is the rear-defrost button and the one to the lower right is the recirculate button. When I turn my lights on, and all the backlighting comes on, all the buttons and controls light up EXCEPT the button for the rear defroster. This seems strange to me. Anybody else with this problem? Is it even a problem, or is it supposed to be like that? I know it's not a big deal but it's annoying me! Can anybody help with this?!?

I know you all like to see pictures, and I will be sure to post some of the interior/exterior as soon as I have a chance (I had a party last weekend at my house and sometime during the drunkeness I dropped my digital camera with the lens extended and it broke!!! DOH!!! :cursin: ). I also ordered some T4R.ORG stickers for the beast, as well as the exhaust tip, so when I get that stuff on, I'll steal my brother's camera and post some pics.

Thanks again for all the help. Hopefully now I will be able to repay the favor and contribute!!!

-Alex

 

[sharp4runr]

The defroster light will turn on when you push it in. As far as I know its normal.

Welcome to the board!

 

[02SE]

The rear defroster button light should only be on, when it is turned on.

 

[Fins_UP]

Thanks, but I think I need to clarify. I'm NOT talking about the light that indicates whether or not you've engaged the rear defroster. I'm actually talking about the BACKLIGHTING for the button that would allow you to see it at night, etc...

*NO* backlighting for the defrost button. BACKLIGHTING working on the recirculate button....

Am I making any sense?!?

 

[AK602]

sounds like you have a dash indicator out

 

[Fins_UP]

Right - that's what I'm trying to figure out! Can anybody verify with their 4Runner that the defrost button should be backlit when you turn the headlights on?!? I'd appreciate it......

 

[Cliff s]

I have a '04 SE and mine does light up when the headlights are on.

Cliff s

 

[TranceKrayz]

yea that light is supposed to be on.

on a similar note....i just noticed tonight that the two arrows (up and down) on the rear window switch are not backlit. i could've sworn that they lit up before. the picture on the center of the switch of the rear window lights up, but not the arrows on either side of it. can anyone varify that for me? if it's broken....i guess i have no choice but to take it to the dealer right? does this fall under warranty work?

 

[Landon_Toast]

Welcome...finally someone else from Bethesda, MD, how ya doin. I have an 04 SR5 and I believe mine does light up, so you probably have a light out, and with the rear window thing, my arrows arnt backlite either so I think thats normal

 

[Fins_UP]

Excellent, thanks for the replies fellas. Guess I have to take it over to the Toyota dealer and get that fixed. I'm sure it's covered under warranty .... it better be -- my car only has 7K miles on it!!! :bash:

I will double check on the up/down arrows for the rear window, but I do not believe those light up on mine either. And while we're on the topic, what's up with not having the door locks lit up or MARKED, for that matter. Who's the rocket scientist who came up with that. I always forget whether I have to press up or down to unlock the doors!!!

Thanks again for the help!

 

[Mark86]

Here ya go. I figured I would post a picture of the way my dash lights up. My back window button lights up but not the arrows. My rear defroster switch also lights up at night even when off. Compare!!!

 

[Fins_UP]

Thanks Mark. I definitely have something wrong with mine. First thing that's been a "problem" after 7,000 miles, and it's only a stupid little dash light, so I guess I can't complain too much, eh?

 

[TranceKrayz]

hey thanks for the quick reply all! and thanks mark for takin that extra step. i could've sworn those arrows were lit before. i didn't notice til tonight when i didn't know what was up and what was down, and that didn't happen before. i guess that saves me a trip to the dealer *whew*. i get nervous handing my car over to those knuckleheads.

 

[Mark86]

Thanks Mark. I definitely have something wrong with mine. First thing that's been a "problem" after 7,000 miles, and it's only a stupid little dash light, so I guess I can't complain too much, eh?

That is nothing major. I wouldn't complain if that is the worst problem you had after 7,000 miles.

Originally posted by TraceKrayz
hey thanks for the quick reply all! and thanks mark for takin that extra step. i could've sworn those arrows were lit before. i didn't notice til tonight when i didn't know what was up and what was down, and that didn't happen before. i guess that saves me a trip to the dealer *whew*. i get nervous handing my car over to those knuckleheads.

When you mentioned that, you had me thinking too. I never really payed attention to that. I am glad I saved you from going to the dealer. I sometimes find that the dealer breaks more than they fix!!