Light Sensor\Automatic Headlights

[GoCardz]

Is there a way to adjust how sensitive the Light Sensor on our dash is? I ask because it seems like at the slightest hint of darkness (passing under an overpass in the morning) is enough to trigger the headlights to come on, but it takes quite a lot of direct light for the lights to turn back off again, especially coming out of the garage in the morning. I'd like to find a way to adjust the sensitivity of the sensor so the lights don't kick on so quickly.

 

[khiroshima]

It seems everyone has this issue, I searched to see if anyone was able to fix this as well . . . In Los Gatos, GMCs are EVERYWHERE, so I have been keeping an eye out to see if other Yukons have "excessive" headlight use . . . They do I feel your pain and would also be interested in lower sensitivity, though I don't think there is anything you can do about your garage, KH

 

[GoCardz]

It seems everyone has this issue, I searched to see if anyone was able to fix this as well . . . In Los Gatos, GMCs are EVERYWHERE, so I have been keeping an eye out to see if other Yukons have "excessive" headlight use . . . They do I feel your pain and would also be interested in lower sensitivity, though I don't think there is anything you can do about your garage, KH

I searched the net a bit too and this does seem to be a common complaint among GMC owners. I was hoping someone had a "hack" to change the sensitivity. Maybe I'll keep a flashlight in the car and shine in on the sensor when it's acting up. I just hate those HID bulbs fire up and turn off so frequently. I would honestly prefer to turn the lights on manually, but if I turn them off then the LED DRLs don't seem stay on (admittedly I haven't really played with the manual settings much).

 

[TxEngr]

I too am interested and following this topic. Annoyed by this issue on my 2016 LTZ Tahoe, but had the same issue on my prior 2007. As mentioned, I experience it when passing under overpasses in the morning, but also in the evening when the sun is low to the horizon and casting shadows. I've even turned my iPhone light on and set it on top of the sensor to get the instrument panel lights to return to bright daylight setting. I deem this a safety problem since it becomes difficult to read the instruments, especially when wearing sunglasses against the rising/setting sun. I've never inquired, but it is amazing to me that this is not a programmable setting.

 

[SuperchargedC6]

I had the same problem and they replaced my sensor under warranty. Its still pretty sensitive, but way better than it was. If you are just worried about the lights being on and want your DRLs to stay on, just turn the headlight knob one notch to just run your parking lights. The LED's are dimmer but they will still be on. Unfortunately the interior lights will stay in the night mode.

 

[AngelXL]

But they do go off after a few minutes...
If is sunny outside and you enter a garage or similar they come on and after you come out they will turn off with in a few seconds.
Just don't think about it...

 

[SuperchargedC6]

That's not always the case. I just had to drive to my office and my lights stayed on the whole time. Its 4:24 pm clear and sunny but because the sun was behind me my lights stayed on. I could barely see my dash. I did the phone flash light trick and that turned them on. I'll also note that I was parked in the garage.

 

[chicagofan00]

Yep, not always the case. I've had the lights come one while sitting under a freeway overpass waiting to make the turn on to the freeway. The lights took over 35 minutes to turn off while I was driving parallel to the setting sun and it was still plenty bright enough to have the dashlights and nav screen be dim like the picture above. It was annoying as hell.

 

[AngelXL]

Defenetly something not right.

 

[iamdub]

Valentine1- Fcuk yeah.

 

[iamdub]

I have the same issue and I as well believe it's a safety concern since you're distracted while trying to adjust the dimmer knob and/or brightness adjustment on the radio.

I noticed the ambient light sensor is in a tinted dome. Maybe the plastic fades/hazes like headlights do over time and the sensor thinks it's darker than it actually is? I never thought about it before, but maybe we just have dirty sensor domes and/or dirty windshields? I'll try cleaning mine. If that makes no difference, I'll see if I can get a clear dome for it. Maybe I can use one of those small plastic acorn capsules that those junk toys come in from those dispenser machines. If that works "too" well, maybe dust it with some Nightshades paint.

 

[SuperchargedC6]

I think I'm going to mount a small LED in the dome on a switch in my console.

 

[Miami-Dade]

Mine comes on constantly under the overpasses..It does not come on most of the time on nasty foggy days..When it does come on...on those foggy days it goes off too early..Glad they still have the manual mode..All that going on and off is going to blow the bulbs out prematurely..My sister has same issue in her Expedition.

 

[crunchcity]

Going over small hills really confuses the system as well...imo.

 

[Scooty]

I had the same issue with my 08 Tahoe. Sometimes the headlights stayed on all day and never went to dlr's. Things that don't work right drive me nuts. I went to the dealer and bought new ambient light sensor and installed it ( about $45-$50 if I remember). Problem solved. Headlights come on in garage at startuo but when I back out into the sunlight they now go off in less than 30 seconds.

 

[BMPNUGLS]

FYI - if you tint your windshield it makes this issue that much worse/sensitive.

 

[BK76]

I don't have this issue... but mainly cause I live in the NW and we don't get much sunlight so the clouds keep the lights on at all times I leave my house in the AM and keep my park lights on..... guess I have never been a fan of the Auto. Would rather have that control in my own hands instead of trusting sensors that could be affected by dirty windshield or a perfectly placed bug splat.

 

[khiroshima]

I noticed this too - supercharedC6, what kind of V1 mount are you using (sorry for the thread hijack)? KH

 

[SuperchargedC6]

I noticed this too - supercharedC6, what kind of V1 mount are you using (sorry for the thread hijack)? KH

It was a mount from my C5 and C6 Corvettes. I had to bend it a little, but works great. Its way cheaper than the blendmount. Here's a link to the C7 one. I would imagine it would be pretty close. Maybe a few bends, but nothing too difficult. http://www.ebay.com/itm/2014-2017-C...irror-Mount-/371860154110?hash=item569497a6fe

 

[Kenny D]

The dome on my 99 burb was really dark, my 09 Tahoe is almost clear. I can see the sensor inside it. I have no issues with mine.