Dead Dimmer
 

I just compleated a 2500mi trip with my 11 F-250 and was 10mi from home when my dash lights suddenly went out. I also noticed that if you played with the dimmer control the lights would come back faintly then go out again. I'm assuming that the dimmer is kaput. anyone else have a similar problem like this???

Havent heard anything of this issue. I dont even know if that dimmer switch is actualy a dimmer. It could just be a switch that says a command to the ecu that runs the dimmer. I know all the a/c controls, etc all just go into a module not directly controlling anything.

Yeah, with all the tech and power needs of these new fancy dashes and computers, just about every button and switch only has around 8 volts and only communicate signal to a computer module. The real power and control is buried just like radzer says.

You could have a bad button? You have any loose paper or a hat covering a light sensor?

I have not figured out the dash lighting on this '11 yet. My dials glow blue all the time, headlights and dash brightness change/come on when you turn on the windshield wipers during the day. I think there are a lot of things controlling dash light brightness.