I don't know if it was designed this way, but at night I can't even see the AC,heater section of the runner. All that is illuminated is the speedo and the little arrow part of the climate controls. I can see the amber where the fan or AC is on but I had to memorize what I want to turn on at night. I asked another guy with an '07 and his is the same way. Is this really the factory design, that you have no idea what is turned on when it's dark?

 

Never an issue on our 07 4Runner.
Sounds like you have dash bulbs out.

:wabbit2:

 

I will have to try taking out the panel and see, I didn't want to try if they weren't supposed to light up. The guy I asked must have had the same problem. Thanks!