auto dash lights

[m332is]

I recently purchased a 2008 Yukon Denali with low 10,000 miles. I love the truck and am very happy with it but have noticed a weird issue that I need to bring it to the dealer to resolve... but in the mean time, I thought I would post it here.

I park my truck in my garage each night and when I start it in the morning, the headlights come on as it is dark in the garage. However once I leave my house, I'd expect them to switch off as it is sunny but they may stay on (and the resulting low dash lights) on my way to work (15-30 minutes) each monring.

The starge thing is even if I manually switch off the headlights, the interior dash lights don't change - they stay dim. At other times, they switch to normal day time mode.

The issue is it is hard to read the radio/HVAC when it is in night mode during the day.

So what do you think, a bad sensor?

Vince

 

[Landshark]

Mine does the same thing. Truck still thinks it needs lights on which dims the interiors. Even though you can manually turn the headlights off the truck keeps control of the rest. I don't like it either but I don't think it is a malfunction.

 

[m332is]

Thanks. Have you brought it to the attention of the dealer? I plan to bring it in and see if they have any input - long shot I know

 

[07Denali]

Good luck. Hate to be a *******, but I have been dealing with gremlins for months and they always tell me that they did a "software update" to fix it. They can track where I am to within 6 inches and see how fast I am driving, but they cannot get updates to the car automatically so I do not have to take time out of my day to go to the dealer.....again.

 

[m332is]

Follwo up - Finally brought my 2008 Yukon Denali to the dealer. They said no TSB so they don't know what's wrong. I asked if they replaced the sensor on the dash and the SA said they could not just "throw parts" at it unless they knew the sensor was bad. I am less than impressed with the dealer's response.

Anyone have any ideas/suggestions?

Is this a known software issue?

Vince

 

[jeffbco]

I realize it's not the real solution but can't you just increase the brightness of the dash lights with the rheostat switch?

 

[m332is]

I know, I was hoping for a solution rather than a work around. At the price of a Yukon Denali, you'd hope there was a real solution.

Thanks,
Vince

 

[testmotor]

i just purchased a used denali this weekend and i am expericing the same problem has this issue been resolved for any of you?

 

[skippy737]

I have a 2010 denali but mine works as it should right out of the gatage after starting. Dont know what to tell u

 

[LTZboy]

The sensitivity is set horribly it barely gets dark outside and the lights come on. They need to have a switch so you can turn the dash lights to full brightness, ie if it is sunny and raining out.

Is your front windows tinted any? If so it really makes the sensor think it is always dark out. Plus when you turn the lights off manually you loose the DRL's and you can't turn them back on which I hate.....they did a poor job with the lighting on these trucks.

 

[rogersinsel]

I recently purchased a 2008 Yukon Denali with low 10,000 miles. I love the truck and am very happy with it but have noticed a weird issue that I need to bring it to the dealer to resolve... but in the mean time, I thought I would post it here.

I park my truck in my garage each night and when I start it in the morning, the headlights come on as it is dark in the garage. However once I leave my house, I'd expect them to switch off as it is sunny but they may stay on (and the resulting low dash lights) on my way to work (15-30 minutes) each monring.

The starge thing is even if I manually switch off the headlights, the interior dash lights don't change - they stay dim. At other times, they switch to normal day time mode.

The issue is it is hard to read the radio/HVAC when it is in night mode during the day.

So what do you think, a bad sensor?

Vince

Strange, my dash gauge lights are on 24/7. Even during the day they illuminate so that you can see the dial well. From inside my SUV I can never tell if my lights are on, they just work.

 

[UofMZ71]

there is nothing wrong with it as this is normal. The sensors are not very strong as early morning or late evening light is generally not enough to trigger the lights off. if you manually switch them off then the dash and radio controls will still stay dim as the truck thinks its still dark out. Mine does this too, and its kind of annoying. I have my windshield tinted so the inside is a little darker anyway...

 

[m332is]

My dealer replaced my sensor under warranty and that improved my situation as my Denali would think it was dark at noon on a sunny day. But they still come on too early.

I am used to BMWs and they seemed much quicker in transition.

Vince

 

[BigRed76]

I had the same issue and resolved it by simply pulling out the 2 daytime running light fuses ...... DONE!

 

[keitho]

I realize it's not the real solution but can't you just increase the brightness of the dash lights with the rheostat switch?

The dimmer knob on the dash will not brighten the dash lamps if there's a sensor issue. My dash lights stay dim during the day making the radio hard to read. This was not a problem on my 2008 Yuknon when I purchased the truck in 2012.

 

[MDC9966]

I had the same issue and resolved it by simply pulling out the 2 daytime running light fuses ...... DONE!

So by doing this, you made the odometer, gear selector and hvac control brighter? Mine are so dim, I can hardly see them in the daytime, but they appear normal at night.

 

[Rocket Man]

So by doing this, you made the odometer, gear selector and hvac control brighter? Mine are so dim, I can hardly see them in the daytime, but they appear normal at night.

You're asking a question to a post from 2010. You got me though- I saw the first post in this thread and the guy said he just bought a 2008 Denali with 10k Mike's. I was thinking that's crazy low miles for a 9 year old truck but then I saw the post was from 2009.