Automatic headlights - Sensor adjustment?

[J5races]

Hello all,

When I go to drive my 2018 Premier Tahoe lately I start the truck up, then remove my Dash protector reflective windshield screen thing. The truck is in headlight night mode because the dash was dark. I understand that. But I can drive away and down the road and because its not super sunny out (say at 4pm) the car doesn't switch back to daylight. its like that sensor that detects daylight is not adjusted well or just failing.

Is there a way to force the Tahoe into daytime mode (like holding down auto for 3 seconds or something on the switch? It just seems like any truck thinks its way darker out sometimes then uit actually is.

Thank you

 

[k_arnold72]

The headlights correct, not the day time running led lights?

 

[J5races]

The headlights correct, not the day time running led lights?

I assume the headlights, the whole dash stays in night mode with super dim instrument panel and even my Car play changes to night node.
Is that helpful?

Jon

 

[Doubeleive]

I assume the headlights, the whole dash stays in night mode with super dim instrument panel and even my Car play changes to night node.
Is that helpful?

Jon

what happens if you simply turn it off, open the drivers door, close the drivers door then start it back up? (after you have removed the cover of course)

 

[J5races]

what happens if you simply turn it off, open the drivers door, close the drivers door then start it back up? (after you have removed the cover of course)

I will try that later today, Ill turn off the truck, open the door and close and restart truck. Ill post the result.

Thank you both for your time

 

[J5races]

what happens if you simply turn it off, open the drivers door, close the drivers door then start it back up? (after you have removed the cover of course)

Stays in night mode and doesn't brighten up. The car thinks its night when its not. A lot of sunlight will switch the truck back to daylight if I go for a drive and get driving the perfect angle where it really shines on the sensor.

Is the sensor adjustable or just bad?

Thank you

 

[Doubeleive]

Stays in night mode and doesn't brighten up. The car thinks its night when its not. A lot of sunlight will switch the truck back to daylight if I go for a drive and get driving the perfect angle where it really shines on the sensor.

Is the sensor adjustable or just bad?

Thank you

sensor could be funky, not hard to replace you just have to remove the left & right pillar covers and then the front section of the dash top pops up and you can access the sensor, I am pretty sure anyway if not then you have to pull the radio out which is a bit more trim removal but not hard to do. I wouldn't pay the dealer to do it they will r*pe you for labor

 

[k_arnold72]

Sounds similar to mine. It's possible that it needs to sense direct sunlight for a set period of time before reverting, not just the first light to hit the sensor. But I've definitely noticed(when driving through a tunnel for example) other vehicles around me revert back to day mode quicker than myself.

 

[my09denali]

Have you replaced any lights recently? Started having same issue with my 17 denali after replacing the low beam HID and going to Diode Dynamics LED high beams. Low beams come on way too early. Bigger issue is the high beams will go off for no reason. The "A" in the dash goes out and high beams will be off. Highway driving county roads and its pitch black and the highs turn off. Defeats the purpose of going to those led high beams. I doubt it is a coincidence.

 

[Doubeleive]

Have you replaced any lights recently? Started having same issue with my 17 denali after replacing the low beam HID and going to Diode Dynamics LED high beams. Low beams come on way too early. Bigger issue is the high beams will go off for no reason. The "A" in the dash goes out and high beams will be off. Highway driving county roads and its pitch black and the highs turn off. Defeats the purpose of going to those led high beams. I doubt it is a coincidence.

probably voltage related, LED & HID use very different voltages. was this is a kit? or just plug-n-play bulbs?

 

[my09denali]

probably voltage related, LED & HID use very different voltages. was this is a kit? or just plug-n-play bulbs?

Diode Dynamics $200 SL2 Pros. Plug and play. Their website says no electrical issues. Tested and confirmed. Virtually impossible to install. The collars not remotely the same. Bright but otherwise junk.

 

[Doubeleive]

Diode Dynamics $200 SL2 Pros. Plug and play. Their website says no electrical issues. Tested and confirmed. Virtually impossible to install. The collars not remotely the same. Bright but otherwise junk.

mmm, somethings not adding up here, you had HID's? not in a projector housing? on a 2017?

 

[J5races]

Have you replaced any lights recently? Started having same issue with my 17 denali after replacing the low beam HID and going to Diode Dynamics LED high beams. Low beams come on way too early. Bigger issue is the high beams will go off for no reason. The "A" in the dash goes out and high beams will be off. Highway driving county roads and its pitch black and the highs turn off. Defeats the purpose of going to those led high beams. I doubt it is a coincidence.

No new lights since I bought the truck in 2022

 

[my09denali]

mmm, somethings not adding up here, you had HID's? not in a projector housing? on a 2017?

No I replaced the stock HID low with new Orsam Night Breaker HID and the stock halogen high beams with the diode LEDs.

 

[EvergreenZ71]

sensor could be funky, not hard to replace you just have to remove the left & right pillar covers and then the front section of the dash top pops up and you can access the sensor, I am pretty sure anyway if not then you have to pull the radio out which is a bit more trim removal but not hard to do.

I agree.

Even if the sensor is functioning, it might be possible that it slid out of the mount bubble and is just far enough down that it can sense light, but only if very direct. If you can easily get to it there may be value just seeing if it’s loose or low.

 

[Nautilus571]

Shine an LED flashlight on it. Will probably go to daylight and switch to night when appropriate. Just a thought.

 

[k_arnold72]

I assume the headlights, the whole dash stays in night mode with super dim instrument panel and even my Car play changes to night node.
Is that helpful?

Jon

I timed mine the other day and it took over a minute of consistent daylight to switch back. Is yours taking longer than that?

 

[BMPNUGLS]

Mine does the exact same thing….has since day 1 when I bought it new. I guess I’m just used to it…and it doesn’t bother me..

 

[J5races]

I timed mine the other day and it took over a minute of consistent daylight to switch back. Is yours taking longer than that?

That sounds right. I guess I am just used to the Mercedes GL450 I had before that would switch in a few seconds

 

[Carfan]

I've noticed the same thing on my '20 Suburban. I pulled out of the garage at the airport and the headlights were on. It was 3 pm and a little over cast. It was bright enough that I needed to wear sunshades yet the headlights stayed on for more than an hour. I made it all the way home.

Would be great if there were a sensitivity level.