2013 Journey Crew EVIC Display and 8x4 panel brightness getting dimmer as the vehicle ages

[smfabac]

I've a 2013 Journey Crew with 8x4 Uconnect, backup camera, no navigation, etc...  I've noticed that the brightness of the 8x4 panel and the EVIC dash display becoming dimmer over time. All settings are correct to shift brightness between head lights on and off (10 day, 5 night).  During the day with sun shining in, the backup camera image is hard to see. I asked my local dealer service writer if there is a master brightness control and he was unaware of any adjustment that can be made to punch up the brightness beyond the "10" setting with auto on or "daylight" selected. The 8x4 panel and the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)Display / Odometer Display brightness tracks the change in the dimmer control, and both appear to be the same brightness level.  I understand that LCD displays degrade over time but for both the EVIC display and the 8x4 to degrade the same amount seems unlikely. I suppose that I can check the terminals on the dimmer switch to see if a variable voltage output pin reaches 12V indicating max brightness limit. (Unless it is a CAN BUS control_)

 

Other odd electrical problems that may be related: Open the driver's door, press the lock button, and step out and close the door, at odd times the doors will unlock as I walk away from the car (1 out of 20 times). Sometimes, walking away from the locked car, the horn will beep three times, and the doors are unlocked requiring me to use the key fob to relock the car.  One day Sirus XM decided to change channels at random. This was annoying for 15 minutes but then it settled down and stayed on the selected channel. 

[2late4u]

I would first have the alt checked to make sure it is putting out the correct current while running and also have the battery load checked as well both checks can be done at most auto parts stores for free,the electronics can act crazy without the proper current supplied to them.....that said there is a sensor that determines whether its day or night that controls the brightness of the lights inside the journey ,does your change brightness after it gets dark outside? as far as the horn beeping the three times and unlocks your journey after you have loved it and walked away is a common occurrence that I have as well ,I believe the journey notices that I have manually locked it before shutting the doors but hen thinks the keys are still inside the vehicle and will not let me walk away without beeping,kind of irritating but no big deal,,also first time iv read where the  LCD displays degrade over time ????

[5rebel9]

I agree with member 2late4u. But being 12 years old now, I would also suspect a poor ground connection in the wiring for those panels. Just where is a case for a good wiring schematic and patience in locating it in the vehicle. Grounds are just as important as power.

[2late4u]

5 hours ago, 5rebel9 said:

I agree with member 2late4u. But being 12 years old now, I would also suspect a poor concurreground connection in the wiring for those panels. Just where is a case for a good wiring schematic and patience in locating it in the vehicle. Grounds are just as important as power.

I agree with with the grounds as well,,,,he shows he is  from the southern region tho.

[smfabac]

13 hours ago, 2late4u said:

I would first have the alt checked to make sure it is putting out the correct current while running and also have the battery load checked as well both checks can be done at most auto parts stores for free,the electronics can act crazy without the proper current supplied to them.....that said there is a sensor that determines whether its day or night that controls the brightness of the lights inside the journey ,does your change brightness after it gets dark outside? as far as the horn beeping the three times and unlocks your journey after you have loved it and walked away is a common occurrence that I have as well ,I believe the journey notices that I have manually locked it before shutting the doors but hen thinks the keys are still inside the vehicle and will not let me walk away without beeping,kind of irritating but no big deal,,also first time iv read where the  LCD displays degrade over time ????

The battery was replaced December 2021 (BB86F101AA) with the note on the service ticket "Check charging system."  I've not noticed the change in brightness going from day to night as I always keep the headlamps on automatic, so they come on at night and whenever the headlamps are on, the dash and 8x4 brightness goes down. 

 

It's just my opinion that the displays are not as bright during the day as they used to be.  Slow degradation over time is hard to notice vs a sudden failure. My rear wheel bearings wore out and were very noisy, but I did not notice it until I road in my brother in laws car and I could hear the silence in his car vs my car. 

 

I'm surprised that no one is complaining about diming panels in older model Journeys. 

 

I don't know for sure what display technology is used in the 8x4 and EVIC displays but found this note on the longevity of LCD panels: "The signs that an LCD screen is approaching the end of its lifecycle include noticeable dimming, color shifts, and the appearance of dead pixels, which are permanent black or white spots on the screen." 

 

I'm not going to go looking for loose or corroded ground connections.  How would I request this service be performed by my local dealer? 

[5rebel9]

8 hours ago, smfabac said:

 

 

I'm not going to go looking for loose or corroded ground connections.  How would I request this service be performed by my local dealer? 

For the most part on an auto forum members try and help with suggestions to fix a problem, not how to deal with dealers on a problem concern. If you do not wish to do your own work, talk to your chosen dealer service manager about the concern {be sure to give specifics of the concern} and they can tell you what they would check and CHARGE to remedy the situation.

 

Good luck to you in taking care of your concern and please report back your results.

[2late4u]

So have you HAD the battery load checked and charging system checked lately????? and NOT 4 yrs ago????? just trying to help you without spending big bucks at your dealership and yes things do wear out I have a 2014 and my displays are still bright as  they have been...also a lot of folks complain of starting problems and other electrical problems and when we get them to check their battery connections some of them yep their was a loose connections, or it was   corroded, or the battery or alt wasn't up to snuff,,,,, there is a high chance the battery is getting weak........Good luck on what ever they find

[2late4u]

just wondering since I don't have automatic light switch on my 2014 BUt since you do and you state the dash and 8.4 screen is not ass bright there is a small wheel switch on the left hand side on the dash that controls the brightness and dome lights have you tried moving it upwards till the dome lights come on and then back off one notch,,,just a thought since you made no reference to such a switch...also remember the center consul plug in for phones stays hot all the time only the power outlet in the front dash cubby hole turns off the power when the journey is not running

[Dean H]

On my 2016 DJ.

 

With the headlights turned on. The interior light dimmer control does dim both screens.

Edited April 24 by Dean H

[5rebel9]

14 minutes ago, Dean H said:

On my 2016 DJ.

 

With the headlights turned on. The interior light dimmer control does dim both screens.

Yes, they ALL do that. it is possible that the interior  dimmer control may be going bad causing "dimming out" of both screens as the OP stated as his problem concern. The way he posted{upon re reading his post} leaves me thinking his concern is only during backup camera mode, and thus is more likely to be a camera in the rear hatch problem. I've read of many backup camera concerns here on the forum....of the 4 DJ's in my care NONE has the backup camera feature.

[smfabac]

On 4/24/2025 at 12:27 PM, 5rebel9 said:

Yes, they ALL do that. it is possible that the interior  dimmer control may be going bad causing "dimming out" of both screens as the OP stated as his problem concern. The way he posted{upon re reading his post} leaves me thinking his concern is only during backup camera mode, and thus is more likely to be a camera in the rear hatch problem. I've read of many backup camera concerns here on the forum....of the 4 DJ's in my care NONE has the backup camera feature.

Having owned the 2013 since 2015 at 12,000 miles I am aware of the operation of the dimmer switch. 

 

Checking the view of the backup camera is not conclusive.  If the camera is bad and the image is impacted, then the green, yellow, and red lines superimposed on the camera image would be brighter than the image itself.  That is not the case in the attached images. The photos were taken on a cloudy day. Direct sun on sunny days totally washes out the 8x4 display and camera image. 

 

Is there a way to access any hidden menus on the 8x4 display? 

[5rebel9]

Only ONE of my 4 has the 8.4" screen and is a '13 model with no problems. IF you have already gone on the settings page and worked with the display brightness settings, then i'm sorry to say I have no suggestion for you 

Good Luck and let us know if you find a cure for this concern.

[John/Horace]

Our 2014 has done this washed out displays a few times (it is 8.4 screen main screen). I  think cycling on headlights over road the dimness right away. I believe there is a light level sensor on the dash right close to the defrost air vents. Could be getting flaky or papers on the dash could throw it off, maybe trigger it. Dim is nighttime level I assume.

[smfabac]

14 hours ago, John/Horace said:

Our 2014 has done this washed out displays a few times (it is 8.4 screen main screen). I think cycling on headlights over road the dimness right away. I believe there is a light level sensor on the dash right close to the defrost air vents. Could be getting flaky or papers on the dash could throw it off, maybe trigger it. Dim is nighttime level I assume.

It is good to hear that someone has experienced a "washed out display" (too dim to see easily during ambient daylight conditions).  The light sensor does not seem to be the problem. I checked it after seeing your post as I have never cleaned it when cleaning the dash and inside surface of the windshield. However, covering the sensor with a paper napkin with the engine running during daylight causes the automatic headlights to turn on after a slight delay.

 

With the dimmer switch set to one click off of the interior lights "on" position (maximum brightness headlights on or off) the 8x4 display and EVIC display stay at maximum available (daylight) brightness. One click further on the dimmer switch switches to brightest night mode and the 8x4 display dims when the headlights are on.

 

So covering the sensor with a napkin causes the automatic headlights to turn on and both the 8x4 and EVIC displays' brightness level respond to the lights-on condition conforming to the current setting of the dimmer switch. Removing the napkin covering the sensor begins a delay period after which the automatic headlights turn off and both displays return to maximum daylight brightness.