I see a lot of threads about problems with the dimmer switch on EKs. I have an EM1 with a similar (but different) problem.

The dimmer switch doesnt work, meaning it doesn't dim. Full brightness all the time. It's also emitting a terrible burning plastic smell, and its very hot to the touch. I have been avoiding driving at night because of this.

Couple questions:
What should I do? Pay $23 for a used one, or just bypass it? I run it fully on all the time anyways, so I don't care. What would be the proper way to bypass it if I went that route? Is this just a variation of the common problem, or should I look into it more, so my car doesn't burst into flames?

 

Solder the red wire to the black wire in the dimmer switch connector. Leave the Red/Blk wire free.

 

Definatly take that switch out and bypass it or replace it

 

thanks guys. next question: whats the proper way to pop it out? go behind it via the cluster hood, or just lightly pry it out?

 

It should pry out pretty easily with a flat head screwdriver.

 

yep it just popped right out. i took the screw out underneath the vent and the cluster hood to make sure. i always break stuff trying to pry interior pieces off :/ thanks again

 

I actually went with a little bit of a different route. i didnt want to hack up the factory connector / wire, so i opened up the burnt up board and ran a jumper connecting the two pins. I broke off the red/black wire pin just to make sure the board was completely dead. check out the picture.

 

now that i have it bypassed, the cluster lights are bright!! works great, and no more burning smell

 

Nifty fix man...not knocking just curious why the wire was necessary...wouldn't bridging the connections with the solder be good to go?

 

well I put each side of the wire on the inside of the connections, so it was already pretty close. I started to solder and just added a little too much, which just created a little bridge. At that point I just said "screw it" haha

Plus it looks huge in the pic, but this thing is tiny

 

Lol nice. Good concept.