2009 Vibe - are the exterior headlamps automatic?

[Suselew]

i cannot see anything anywhere whether the headlamps turn on automatically at dusk on the 2009 Vibes. My 2005 Matrix does so I'm sure hoping they didnt forget that deal-breaker option (which should be standard on every car).Anyone have a 2009 Vibe that can confirm this for me?

[bull77]

if you talking about daytime running lamps, its standard on all versionshere's a link to the details book that Fatty Lumpkin posted:http://solert.net/files/VibeBook/IMG_1686.jpg and the original post:http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=32477

[Suselew]

No, I'm not talking about running lamps. I'm talking about your main headlamps....do they turn on at dusk automatically? Running lamps are on day and night and are not your main headlamps.Anyone?

[traveler03]

Yes the headlights are automatic. Little bubble sensor sits in front of the driver at the base of the windshield.

[Whelan]

I hated my autos on my 05 Trix, so I disconnected them when I got rid of the DRLs. Both a waste IMO. They kept goin on in the shade and all the trees around here in CT would just be a PIA when the dash would go to night mode on and off all day. Besides, once I got my HIDs, made all the difference in the world.

[Tonyk27]

I just put HID's 8000K's on my 05 vibe. So if i put say a pics of black electrical tape on the little bubble sensor the headlights would stay on? Be cuz win the DRLs are on the lights flicker.

[Whelan]

If you put cover your light sensor then your regular headlights would stay on all the time. I would just climb under your dash, cut pin 12 and then buy a snap in connector for the fog lamps and headlights so you can turn your fogs on with just parking lights. I did it, and am so glad I don't have DRLs or that stupid sensor anymore.

[dianebrat]

Quote, originally posted by Suselew »No, I'm not talking about running lamps. I'm talking about your main headlamps....do they turn on at dusk automatically? Running lamps are on day and night and are not your main headlamps.Anyone?Except in the case of the Vibe's they're using the headlights for DRL...I know folks say you're supposedly only getting 1/2 wave ground to them in daytime mode, but I've had them in a parking garage, and there was no difference in the intensity between them being on by themselves, and then me flipping the switch. (and yes, I know the difference between the two modes )Diane

[joatmon]

Quote, originally posted by dianebrat »Except in the case of the Vibe's they're using the headlights for DRL...I know folks say you're supposedly only getting 1/2 wave ground to them in daytime mode, but I've had them in a parking garage, and there was no difference in the intensity between them being on by themselves, and then me flipping the switch. (and yes, I know the difference between the two modes )Diane I have a 2003, and when I start it up, and release the parking brake, the headlights come on in DRL mode. The dimmer switch has no effect, and the green indicator in the cluster is not lit up. Then if it is dark enough, about 15 seconds later, the headlights come on fully, evidenced by the dimmer switch being effective and the green indicator lighting. I can testify that the intial DRL brightness is lower than the full DRL brightness, I have a garage, and if I leave the door down when I start the car and release the brake, the lights shine on the white door, it is very apparent that when the full headlight mode kicks in, the lights get brighter. I can't say the DRLs are "half" bright, but noticeably less. Someday I will find the wire and put a multimeter on it, actually measure the difference in voltage to the headlights in DRL and full modes. I have a 2003, you have a 2006. I know they changed the DRL module in 2005, that's why you get the dome light fade, mine just switches off hard. It may be possible that with your newer DRL module, the DRLs are the same brightness as the full headlights, but I doubt it.Can you do a test on yours, maybe the next time you are in the parking garage and compare DRLs to full headlights and let us know if your 06 DRLs really are the same as the full headlights? Just make sure you're comparing DRLs (dimmer ineffective, no green indicator in the cluster) to full headlights. Full headlights will be the same whether you manually turn them on or the car decides to turn them on, but if that green indicator in the dash is lit, then it's full headlights.

[dianebrat]

Quote, originally posted by joatmon »I have a 2003, you have a 2006. I know they changed the DRL module in 2005, that's why you get the dome light fade, mine just switches off hard. It may be possible that with your newer DRL module, the DRLs are the same brightness as the full headlights, but I doubt it.Can you do a test on yours, maybe the next time you are in the parking garage and compare DRLs to full headlights and let us know if your 06 DRLs really are the same as the full headlights? Just make sure you're comparing DRLs (dimmer ineffective, no green indicator in the cluster) to full headlights. Full headlights will be the same whether you manually turn them on or the car decides to turn them on, but if that green indicator in the dash is lit, then it's full headlights. I was in a dark alley today, and it had a gray concrete wall right in front of my car when I started it, the DRLs came on, I then turned the switch to turn them on fully, no difference in the intensity or light output of the headlights, but the markers and tails came on (and the indicator in the dash) I tried the same with my car pointing at a car in front me (with a nicely waxed finish) same result, same intensityAt least on my 06, I'm looking extra hard, and no difference in light output from DRL mode to manually turn the switch.Diane

[joatmon]

interesting, and thanks for checking. definitely different than mine. Where's my meter ...I was wrong in my previous post. for 2005, they changed what they call the "multifunction alarm module" and that gives you the fading dome lights, but that part doesn't affect DRLs. I remember there was a new DRL module at some point, I think in response to complaints about the origianl one. The origiinal one was a bit too sensitive for some people, it would switch between DRLs and full headlights a lot when it didn't need to. Driving along on a bright sunny day, the road might curve causing the A pillar shadow to hit the sensor, click, full headlights, curve again, no shadow, click DRLs, It was this manic switching that motivated people to determine which wires to cut to disable the DRLs. Also, in the original DRL module, there was a 15 second delay between when the DRLs frst come on and when the auto headlights kicked in. Some people were concerned about a scenario where you start the car at night, pull out into traffic, and 15 seconds later your taillights come on, they were worried that the delay would cause them to be rear-ended at night. I can't remember when they switched to a modified DRL module, if it was for 2004, or if it came with the new multifunction alarm module in the 2005 model year. Hard to search here for DRL threads, there are so many, and search doesn't tolerate three letter terms. I don't know what the delay is on the newer models.