Just purchased 2005 Malibu LT. Very happy with car and it's
performance, with the exception of the radio display / Driver
Information Console brightness in daylight.

I have the "standard" single disc CD player, AM/FM 6 speaker stereo
and the integrated Driver Information Console.

Regardless of DRL/Headlight/Dashboard brightness knob settings, the
clock/radio/outside temp display is just too dim to read in the
daylight.

Has anyone else encountered this problem? Is my situation an
exception and should I seek a replacement from the dealer and hope
greater brighness?

Any and all ideas are appreciated!

Thanks!

Tim

Below is a description of the '04 Malibu DIC brightness control. Probably
the same for your '05. As another poster has said the dealer is likely your
best hope.

Radio Data Link Communication
The radio communicates with other modules via the GMLAN data bus which is a
CAN based protocol. This vehicle uses 2 variants of the GMLAN data bus. The
variants are a low speed and high speed vehicle bus. The radio connects to
the low speed vehicle bus which runs between 12.5-40 kbps.


Radio Head Unit Dimming
Dimming and backlighting levels are determined by the GMLAN signal data the
radio receives. The radio sets the backlight and Vacuum Fluorescent display
dimming to the value indicated by the interior dimming level and interior
dimming display level signals in the GMLAN dimming information frame.

The radio provides faceplate and control/graphics backlighting in the OFF
(RAP inactive) when the exterior lighting Virtual Network is activated. The
radio display is consistent then with the surrounding devices that use
analog PWM dimming to backlight their control/graphics when the power mode
is OFF and the park lights are ON.


"Tim Thompson" <thompsontim (AT) centurytel (DOT) net> wrote

Yes, I know......In bright daylight it is virtually impossible to read the
Console on my 2004 Malibu, but as I believe that this is not easily improved
upon and the car otherwise runs just fine, I haven't bothered bringing it up
when visiting the dealer for routine maintenance.....

Hans in Canada


"Tim Thompson" <thompsontim (AT) centurytel (DOT) net> wrote

"Klinger" <jamosurespam (AT) sympatico (DOT) ca> wrote

This is the answer. It should be readable in the daylight. Get the dealer
to fix it.