Automatic Light Sensor

[jsteel133]

We just bought a used 07 and love it except for the automatic light system. The full headlights and taillights are on all the time, even during the day when set to off. The parking light setting won't work at night, stays full headlights. My wife has had the dash lights shut off suddenly while driving and come back on again later. Where exactly is the light sensor located, I know left side of dash, but I'm not seeing it. Please advise what to do. Thanks.

[prathman]

Quote, originally posted by jsteel133 »Where exactly is the light sensor located, I know left side of dash, but I'm not seeing it.Look for a little black dome shape about a half inch in diameter and located on top of the dash at the extreme left side only about a couple inches back from the windshield.On our first trip with the Vibe I inadvertently stuck some park brochures on top of the sensor and had similar problems to what you describe. The dash lights would go on and off intermittently and we thought they were broken. My first suspicion is that your sensor might have gotten some dirt or other debris on it or it may even be dislodged and under the dash if you don't see it on top.Welcome to the 'Vibe Family' and to Genvibe.

[engineertwin2]

Also, with Daytime Running Lights, the parking light setting will only work when the vehicle is first started (or off) and the parking brake is on. Once the parking brake is disengaged, the lights will change to the automatic lights.

[vibebob]

if you don't want the "auto" headlights, just pop the sensor out and remove the plug. I used a small ziptie to the sensor to keep it from falling down behind he dash.

[dianebrat]

Quote, originally posted by jsteel133 »We just bought a used 07 and love it except for the automatic light system. The full headlights and taillights are on all the time, even during the day when set to off. The parking light setting won't work at night, stays full headlights. My wife has had the dash lights shut off suddenly while driving and come back on again later. Where exactly is the light sensor located, I know left side of dash, but I'm not seeing it. Please advise what to do. Thanks.To add what the others have said, I have an '06 and with the sensor working properly, dash and tail lights go on and off with the darkness, but the headlights are on full no matter what, it's apparently a change in one of the previous years, no 1/2 bright like I would have expected.Diane

[moongdss]

I'm doing the infamous 'headlight mod' tomorrow. Installing a switch to interrupt DRL function.

[ajconover]

Quote, originally posted by engineertwin2 »Also, with Daytime Running Lights, the parking light setting will only work when the vehicle is first started (or off) and the parking brake is on. Once the parking brake is disengaged, the lights will change to the automatic lights.I just wanted to note that this seems to vary a bit... I'm not sure if it's just by year or not. On my '06, if it is dark and I move the key to "run" (without starting) with the parking brake on, the headlights don't come on unless I release the parking brake. However, if I start the engine (in the dark), the headlights come on regardless of the initial parking brake position.Can anyone else with an '06 confirm this same behavior? Based on my reading of other threads on this topic, it seems like was the pre-2006 models that would let have the engine running with the headlights off... not sure about the post 2006. I'm not even sure that all the '06 models behave the same way!EDIT: I checked out the "daylight" behavior and it seems more consistent with what others have observed... As long as the parking brake is set when the engine is started, the DRL's remain off until the parking brake is released. I just wish I could figure out how to keep the lights off at night when starting the car. I just hate to annoy my neighbors with my headlights if I'm waiting a minute or two for things to warm up in the winter.