Question about the Headlights

[callmebob]

I just picked up my new RST this morning. I was at a Stop Light and I noticed in the reflection of the car in front that my headlights were on instead of the daytime running lights. It is a bright and sunny day. I checked my settings and they were on Auto. If I turn the knob to the left everything goes off. If I turn the knob to the right one click the headlights go off and the daytime running lights come on, but the dash says that auto lights are now disabled. Is there something I'm missing? I don't know if there is an issue with the lights or if I have a missed setting. Any help?

 

[Yarosuav]

Funny - I noticed the same thing on my 2022 Yukon Denali I just picked up:

When I leave the lights on Auto, the headlamps come on in bright sunlight. When not in direct sunlight (but still during day) the headlamps turn off and only DRL are on (the way it should be).

When it gets dark, the headlamps come on again (as they should).

So for some reason the sensor, when set to auto, switches the headlamps on in bright sunlight.

 

[callmebob]

Yep. That’s exactly what’s happening. I noticed this morning that when I left for work they were working as they should. Only Daytime Running Lights. However, when I left for lunch the headlights were back on.

 

[Yarosuav]

I need to take my Denali to the dealership for something else (the rear view mirror camera is not working), and will ask them to look into it - maybe there’s something wrong with the sensor… I don’t think it’s supposed to turn the headlamps on in bright sunlight.

 

[DenaliCountry]

Check to see that all of the "packaging" film is removed from the sensor, however I doubt that is the issue. Bright sunny days they should switch off pretty quickly once you are out of the garage or a dark space. Probably something up with the sensor.

 

[callmebob]

When I left my office today, the sun was a little lower and the trees were blocking direct sunlight so the Daytime Running Lights came on as they should. As I pulled out of my office and headed down the street where the trees are cleared, the sunlight was able to directly hit my sensor and my headlight indicator on the dash came on. Definitely either a bad sensor or a software issue.

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

When I left my office today, the sun was a little lower and the trees were blocking direct sunlight so the Daytime Running Lights came on as they should. As I pulled out of my office and headed down the street where the trees are cleared, the sunlight was able to directly hit my sensor and my headlight indicator on the dash came on. Definitely either a bad sensor or a software issue.

Let us know.

My stuff all works well, aside from the fact that I think the headlights should come on sooner (ie, higher ambient light level) than they do. The 22 seems to require a darker atmosphere than my 2013 did to turn on the lights.

 

[Crzylgs]

Did anyone figure out a solution? Is the sensor the square-ish bump near the center of the dash?

 

[ChemEng]

When I left my office today, the sun was a little lower and the trees were blocking direct sunlight so the Daytime Running Lights came on as they should. As I pulled out of my office and headed down the street where the trees are cleared, the sunlight was able to directly hit my sensor and my headlight indicator on the dash came on. Definitely either a bad sensor or a software issue.

My 2022 is doing this too.

 

[Yarosuav]

I’m going to the dealer tomorrow and will have them look into it. It’s definitely not the way the sensor should be acting… But it’s interesting it’s happening to multiple people.

 

[Crzylgs]

I’m going to the dealer tomorrow and will have them look into it. It’s definitely not the way the sensor should be acting… But it’s interesting it’s happening to multiple people.

Sounds good. Please report back!

 

[Square1Services]

A shot in the dark here and before anyone blasts me, I’m simply speculating. Could the lights be similar to a cell display? The brighter it is outside the brighter the screen (Headlights in this case) when set to auto? The logic being that when it’s cloudy or not direct sunlight then DRL are sufficient, but in full sun and clear skies the DRL aren’t bright enough so the truck switches over to the regular headlight so that they can be seen in full sun. Like I said I’m speculating, but it’s the first thing I thought when I saw this post.

 

[Yarosuav]

A shot in the dark here and before anyone blasts me, I’m simply speculating. Could the lights be similar to a cell display? The brighter it is outside the brighter the screen (Headlights in this case) when set to auto? The logic being that when it’s cloudy or not direct sunlight then DRL are sufficient, but in full sun and clear skies the DRL aren’t bright enough so the truck switches over to the regular headlight so that they can be seen in full sun. Like I said I’m speculating, but it’s the first thing I thought when I saw this post.

That’s exactly what I initially thought as well, however:
- That’s not how the auto headlamps should behave according to manual, and
- I see plenty of other Yukons (and other GM trucks) driving around in full sun, with only DRL on

 

[Yarosuav]

Sounds good. Please report back!

So the service department looked at it, and the ambient light sensor is throwing off an error code. It will have to be replaced.

 

[Crzylgs]

So the service department looked at it, and the ambient light sensor is throwing off an error code. It will have to be replaced.

Thanks for reporting back. It seems like everyone will need to bring it in then.

 

[Crzylgs]

So the service department looked at it, and the ambient light sensor is throwing off an error code. It will have to be replaced.

Did they tell you what replacing it would entail and how long it would take them to get the sensor?

 

[Yarosuav]

Did they tell you what replacing it would entail and how long it would take them to get the sensor?

Not sure what replacing it would entail (seemed to me they just replace the sensor). They mentioned they should have the part sometime next week, but you never know these days…

 

[Square1Services]

That’s exactly what I initially thought as well, however:
- That’s not how the auto headlamps should behave according to manual, and
- I see plenty of other Yukons (and other GM trucks) driving around in full sun, with only DRL on

I stand corrected. I’ll have to keep an eye out for mine.

 

[Crzylgs]

The only time my DRL are on is when the vehicle is driving in a shaded area. If it is sunny, the headlights are on instead of the DRL.

 

[Crzylgs]

Not sure what replacing it would entail (seemed to me they just replace the sensor). They mentioned they should have the part sometime next week, but you never know these days…

Sounds good, please keep us posted when you get replaced.