Question about the Headlights

[sanman28]

Sure enough my 22’ is doing this. Not sure about my wife’s 21’. Ordered a new sensor and will swap out asap. Not f-in with the dealer on this for $17 shipped.

 

[sanman28]

Ok so as everybody knows the sensor is on intergalactic back order. What I found does work is black electrical tape. Cut a piece about 1.5” long and place it right on the sensor. Works like a charm. DRL stay on in the sun and HL come on in the dark.

 

[nick14226]

Ok so as everybody knows the sensor is on intergalactic back order. What I found does work is black electrical tape. Cut a piece about 1.5” long and place it right on the sensor. Works like a charm. DRL stay on in the sun and HL come on in the dark.

The thought crossed my mind but didn’t think it would work, I thought the headlights wouldn’t come on in the dark then. That’s a great temporary fix, nice work! I’ll report back on that other sensor p/n, if it doesn’t work I’ll be trying the “tape mod” too

 

[sanman28]

The thought crossed my mind but didn’t think it would work, I thought the headlights wouldn’t come on in the dark then. That’s a great temporary fix, nice work! I’ll report back on that other sensor p/n, if it doesn’t work I’ll be trying the “tape mod” too

Yup….I’m doing to tape mod until 13545621 comes back in stock.

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

This headlight sensor issue has me wondering if it is the cause of all the vehicle holds at Midlothian...see other thread in general discussion...seems like vehicles produced around end of March, early April had this headlight issue...and that is when a bunch started going to Midlothian...wonder if the first batch got out to consumers, and then they caught it and held all the stuff built till they could get a new sensor...pure speculation...but, maybe possible?

 

[SCiesie154]

My 2022 Yukon has the same light issue. I most likely will go with the black tape mod since it has worked on my VCR for years and my service engine soon warning light on my 2004 Silverado. (-:

 

[sanman28]

Just an update on the black tape fix. U might need to fiddle with the placement and the amount you use to cover the sensor. But it definitely works on mine.

 

[SCiesie154]

OK thanks, sanman!

 

[nick14226]

When searching I stumbled upon a lot of info in a corvette forum. Seems the C8 vets have P/N 13529378, older sensors with that p/n are good, newer ones aren't. Those guys are pulling serial numbers together to try to figure out a cutoff (props to them for the effort as some of them reference coming here when researching too). When going to dealers, before the shortage, the P/N 13545621 was being used to replace there's. Seems to me the two are likely backwards compatible so I'm going to try the older one from an ebay seller that seems to have old stock (at least the vet guys have had success with that seller but who knows what you'll get). Should have it in 4-5 days, I'll report back if it works as they seem to be more readily available, even though we could still get a bad one if not old enough inventory...

Replaced the original 13545621 with the 13529378 last night (that does appear to have an older serial #) and I had headlights off and DRL's on the entire ride in this morning in the sun. Headlights were on in the garage as well as testing by putting hand over sensor. Also put flashlight on sensor and headlights went off. Form, fit, function seem to be the same, pin configuration matched, so this does seem to be a viable option.

Note, for the swap, I started with taking the dash panel off with some trim tools and some of the clips were really tight as I got closer to the windshield. Could envision something cracking or breaking a clip. I aborted that, put some painters tape on the dash right next to the sensor and pried it up with a small flat head screw driver. Popped up easily once I got under it and plenty of slack in the wiring to comfortably pull it out a bit to unclip the connector.

Original on the left, replacement on the right.

 

[sanman28]

Replaced the original 13545621 with the 13529378 last night (that does appear to have an older serial #) and I had headlights off and DRL's on the entire ride in this morning in the sun. Headlights were on in the garage as well as testing by putting hand over sensor. Also put flashlight on sensor and headlights went off. Form, fit, function seem to be the same, pin configuration matched, so this does seem to be a viable option.

Note, for the swap, I started with taking the dash panel off with some trim tools and some of the clips were really tight as I got closer to the windshield. Could envision something cracking or breaking a clip. I aborted that, put some painters tape on the dash right next to the sensor and pried it up with a small flat head screw driver. Popped up easily once I got under it and plenty of slack in the wiring to comfortably pull it out a bit to unclip the connector.

Original on the left, replacement on the right.

Awesome find. I just ordered one that will be here next week. Love this forum. Hate that I have to screw with this stupid sensor, but great place for help.

 

[nick14226]

Awesome find. I just ordered one that will be here next week. Love this forum. Hate that I have to screw with this stupid sensor, but great place for help.

Hopefully you get an older serial number and it will work for you too @sanman28

 

[sanman28]

Hopefully you get an older serial number and it will work for you too @sanman28

Yup….found one on ebay. Sounds like it will work.

 

[jlgreger]

Hello All! First time GMC owner here and my 22 Denali XL has the same ambient sensor issue. My dealer in Phoenix is absolutely clueless and was not much help as they claimed that the headlights being on during daylight was part of the DRL's. I tried the replacement 13529378 with no luck.

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

Hello All! First time GMC owner here and my 22 Denali XL has the same ambient sensor issue. My dealer in Phoenix is absolutely clueless and was not much help as they claimed that the headlights being on during daylight was part of the DRL's. I tried the replacement 13529378 with no luck.

Go back and take a stand, or go to a different GM dealer (like Chevy or Cadillac). Maybe try the flashlight trick where you shine bright light on it and it turns ON the lights. Then, do not tell them you already replaced the sensor (or put your original one back). Let them document and fix it. Don’t take no for an answer.

Proper operation is what you think it is:
Bright light, DRL on
Dark, Headlights on
Note: turning on Fog Lights turns on Headlights.

 

[sanman28]

Hello All! First time GMC owner here and my 22 Denali XL has the same ambient sensor issue. My dealer in Phoenix is absolutely clueless and was not much help as they claimed that the headlights being on during daylight was part of the DRL's. I tried the replacement 13529378 with no luck.

You might have had two bad sensors. I think there is a code also….not sure if it needs cleared or not.

 

[nick14226]

Hello All! First time GMC owner here and my 22 Denali XL has the same ambient sensor issue. My dealer in Phoenix is absolutely clueless and was not much help as they claimed that the headlights being on during daylight was part of the DRL's. I tried the replacement 13529378 with no luck.

Am I crazy that your post initially said you ordered two sensors, one from dealer and one from rockauto, and one of them worked? Maybe post was edited or maybe I'm losing it LOL.

If you want to provide the S/N, or a pic, of the 13529378 should be able to tell if it's an old S/N (good) or newer S/N (bad) sensor.

 

[sanman28]

Am I crazy that your post initially said you ordered two sensors, one from dealer and one from rockauto, and one of them worked? Maybe post was edited or maybe I'm losing it LOL.

If you want to provide the S/N, or a pic, of the 13529378 should be able to tell if it's an old S/N (good) or newer S/N (bad) sensor.

He did.

 

[GrahamB]

Hello All! First time GMC owner here and my 22 Denali XL has the same ambient sensor issue. My dealer in Phoenix is absolutely clueless and was not much help as they claimed that the headlights being on during daylight was part of the DRL's. I tried the replacement 13529378 with no luck.

You tried to buy the 13529378 part and couldn't or you tried to replace the original with that part and it didn't work?

 

[GrahamB]

Just rigged it until the sensors become available. Don't feel like messing with a 90k new truck however annoying it may be and really shouldn't have too.

 

[cataylo6]

Am I crazy that your post initially said you ordered two sensors, one from dealer and one from rockauto, and one of them worked? Maybe post was edited or maybe I'm losing it LOL.

If you want to provide the S/N, or a pic, of the 13529378 should be able to tell if it's an old S/N (good) or newer S/N (bad) sensor.

Long time reader, first time poster. I ordered 13529378 from RA last week, as that post originally suggested, and just swapped out the sensor very easily. All seems to be working fine in the driveway on a sunny day. Lights turn on when covering the sensor and DRLs only when uncovered. This is on a 2022 Z71 Tahoe. Thanks for all the help, this forum has some amazing knowledge.