2004 Cavalier LS Interior Dash Lights?

JUST BOUGHT MY DAUGHTER A NICE USED 2004 CAVALIER LS. ONE THING WE NOTICE IS THAT THE INTERIOR DASH LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON AUTOMATICALLY AT NIGHT LIKE MY 2001 TAHOE DOES. THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS DO WORK DURING THE DAY AND DO GO TO FULL BRIGHT AT NIGHT BUT THE INTERIOR DASH LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON. WE HAVE TO SWITCH THEM ON WITH THE SWITCH ON THE LEVER ON THE STEERING COLUMN. IS THIS NORMAL? THE DASH WHEEL THAT ROLLS UP THE LIGHTS FROM DIM TO BRIGHT WORKS ONLY WHEN WE TURN ON THE LIGHTS WITH THE LEVER SWITCH. THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT CLARIFY THE OPERATION EITHER. I CHECKED FUSES AND EVERYTHING IS OK THERE.
WHAT IS THE PROBLEM? THANKS!!:screwy:

The dash lights only come on when you turn the parking lights on or headlights. I'm assuming that's what is going on, right? If so, that's normal, just how Cavaliers are.

Yes that is normal, the cavy's arent nice enough to have the dash lights come on automatically. The dimmer switch will also only work when you have the parking/headlights on.

So basically you have nothing to worry about.

Cavaliers do not have "auto lights", they only have daytime running lights. If you are trying to drive the car at night without turning the switch you are riding down the road with no tails. Basically its just like every other car, you have to turn the lights on.