2007 nbs Silverado, turn on dash lights

[Rpkight]

I have a 2007 Silverado new body style.   I wear glasses and have prescription sunglasses.  If I wear my sunglasses, my dash is too dark to see easily.  At the moment, I turn on the fog lights to turn on the dash lights.  I don't like this though because turning on the fog lights also turns on my running lights.

 

Is there a way to just turn on the dash lights?

 

If not a "stock" way, is there a wire I can tap,  positive or negative trigger, that will turn the dash lights on without affecting any thing else?

 

Thank you.

[Sharpz]

of course you could always hard wire the dash, but not sure why having the running lights is a big issue? If you are worried that you might forget to turn them off, you would have the same issue with the dash lights. 

[redvett]

If you have polarized glasses change to a regular lens and that will solve the problem it worked for me.

[Rpkight]

On 4/3/2021 at 6:21 AM, Sharpz said:

of course you could always hard wire the dash, but not sure why having the running lights is a big issue? If you are worried that you might forget to turn them off, you would have the same issue with the dash lights. 

Yes, I want to hardwire the dash... With a switch.

[Rpkight]

On 4/3/2021 at 1:15 PM, redvett said:

If you have polarized glasses change to a regular lens and that will solve the problem it worked for me.

Nope,  even reg sunglasses, it's too dark for me to see.  With the dash lights on, the needles are also illuminated, with the numbers.

[Sharpz]

9 hours ago, Rpkight said:

Yes, I want to hardwire the dash... With a switch.

I said it was possible, and it is, its just not practical.  You can do a few things, download from this site a detailed wiring diagram, trace the wires involved, disconnect them completely cap them so there isnt any back feed or possible bleed or drain, then run a new power source from your fuse box using the appropriate fuse, and if it were me I would also run a separate ground, just to make sure there isnt any possibility of back feed. This option eliminates the dash lights coming on with your running lights, headlights, and you lose the dash dimming capacity that you have now.  You might be able to install a dimming switch that might help you with that part, but I dont know of any for DC.  The next option is to look into stand alone LED lights, and try to install them into your cluster backing and as you say put them on a switch.  There are plenty of LED options and displays from places like WalMart, or most any autoparts stores. I think the 2nd option is the best choice.  Good luck.

[Rpkight]

Yes, I've been thinking for a while to just add leds.  I'll do that then.

 

[Rpkight]

Update.  I took apart the instrument panel and cover to see if I could add Leds.  I didn't see really any good way.  I used my data probe on the inst panel connector, and found that the yellow wire had 0 to 12v on it when dash lights were on. (depending on dimmer settings).  I installed a switch on the dash, 12volts only if key is on,  and a diode in line so it can't back feed.  Works perfect.