Digital display 2012

[jbertke]

Does anyone know if there is a way to brighten the digital display in the message center and the center console (time & radio station)in a 2012 expedition? When driving in bright sunlight the displays are nearly invisible.
Thanks,
Jim B

 

[FordCustSrvc]

Does anyone know if there is a way to brighten the digital display in the message center and the center console (time & radio station)in a 2012 expedition? When driving in bright sunlight the displays are nearly invisible.
Thanks,
Jim B

Hi Jim B,

Did you try adjusting the panel dimmer control? I found this information in the 3rd printing of your Owner's Manual on page 73. You can download a free digital copy of your Owner's Manual here: https://owner.ford.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Owner/Page/OwnerGuidePage. If you think the digital display may be malfunctioning, you can always bring it to your dealership so they can check it out. Let me know if you need any additional assistance and I'll do what I can to help.

Crystal

 

[jbertke]

Crystal,
Thanks for the reply. I would like to increase the max brightness available with the dimmer switch. When the lights are off, the brightness is not affected by the dimmer but is still not bright enough. Is there another internal adjustment that perhaps the dealer could make to achieve this?
Thanks,
Jim B

 

[FordCustSrvc]

Crystal,
Thanks for the reply. I would like to increase the max brightness available with the dimmer switch. When the lights are off, the brightness is not affected by the dimmer but is still not bright enough. Is there another internal adjustment that perhaps the dealer could make to achieve this?
Thanks,
Jim B

Hi Jim B,

I'm not a technician, so I'm not the best person to go to for mechanical advice. I recommend reaching out to the service manager at your local dealership; they'll be happy to talk about options with you.

Crystal

 

[VTfireftr]

Jim,

I don't have a 2012 Expedition, but my mom has a 2012 Lincoln SUV with all the toys. I had to change her display for her when she first got the vehicle.

If you have the navigation screen in your Ex, scroll through the menu until you get into the setup page. There is a setting fro screen brightness in that menu. Just make sure you switch off the automatic feature.

This feature is buried way down in the owner's manual, under the screen settings, or something like that.

Hope this helps you out. Enjoy your truck!

marc

 

[BIGRED03]

The dash lights are dim as well on my 12. Thanks, I will look in the Nav system for the selection to manual adjust.

 

[RalphHaus]

Only '12 in Texas with this problem???

I'm back from my 2nd trip to the dealership trying to get the same 'dim message center display' issue fixed on my wife's '12. All I get is a shoulder shrug. If you believe them I'm the only customer in all of Texas who has this complaint. The display brightness (or lack of) is normal they say. Surprise, I don't believe them. Just looking for anyone who has had this problem repaired and what was done to fix it! Anyone?

 

[BIGRED03]

Lincoln must have a different system than the Expedition. I'm with you jbertke they are dim no matter how you adjust them. Nav unit was no help.

 

[RalphHaus]

I took the time to look at some used Expeditions that were on the dealers lot. One, a 2011, did not have this severe of a problem. I could still read the information when the sun was directly on the dash panel. I also started stopping customers as they were leaving the service area. One guy took the time to drive his '08 in a circle to try and get the panel to show the same problems. His '08 was readable as well. Thus the reason for my second attempt to get service to fix the issue. Must be a variability in t he assemblies? That's all I can come up with. Good luck on getting Ford to swap the dash assemblies out until you get a good one!

 

[Gary Cox]

Can you tell me if you ever found out what causes the Dim Message center. I'm to the end of my rope trying to get a straight answer. Ford seems this problem doesn't exist.

 

[Bedrck47]

Gary
Welcome to the Forum

FYI This is an older thread The last post before yours was in Aug 2013 I would suggest you start a new thread as you may get better responses

Since you are new you may want to look at when posts were made before you reply or ask for help.

 

[djac47]

I don't know if this means anything, but I've been having the same issue and got the same answers from Ford. When i first bought the Expedition the display was good, however after I had the daylight running ligth feature turned on the information center was much dimmer and impossible to read during the daylight. ANy thoughts on this wrinkle?

 

[star-art]

Older models (2014-) have a Vacuum Fluorescent (VF) dot matrix display in the center of the cluster. While the brightness of this display can be altered by turning on/off the headlights, using the dimmer switch, etc. you should know that all VF displays simply lose brightness over time. Thus, they get dimmer as they get older. The only solution for that is to replace the display.

But, if you don't mind taking your cluster apart, there is often what appears to be a dark green "window tint" like filter installed over these displays. Depending on the design of the cluster, it may be removable. If you can get this filter to come out, the display should be quite a bit brighter. Don't know if any of this helps, sorry!

 

[R WHITENTON]

I just bought a used 2012 and have the same problem. My dealership doesn’t care and they claim they can see it just fine