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I don't know why, but in the last couple of days the dashboard lights in the instrument panel dims as soon as the headlight sentry activates the headlights.It's really weird, and actually it isn't necessarily the sentry itself as I have tried switching the headlights on manually and the insturment panel dims.I have the lighting dial turned to where it normally is, just below the "ON" mark.I don't think I've done something wrong, but before I embarrass myself at a dealer about a possible simple thing I wanted to ask if anyone else out there has had this happen and if there's a simple solution.Thanks

This is normal.Anytime your dash goes into "night mode" it always dims. You've probably just never noticed it! If you want to keep it from dimming, turn it up one more notch to the solid thick line. That keeps the lights from ever dimming.

FWIW - I have an early 2003 base (manufactured May 2002) and it has not has the update to the DRL sensor offered in one of the Pontiac TSB's. On my 2003, there are two headlight power levels: 1) The Daytime Running Light 'Headlights low-power' mode-and-2) the 'Headlights Full On' mode caused by A) the DRL sensor indicates darkness -OR- B) the Headlight switch is manually set to 'on'The low power headlight mode turns the headlights into Daytime Running Lights at something like 50% of full intensity, and is denoted with a green 'sun' display on the tachometer portion of instrument cluster. In this mode, the dash lighting automatically comes on at DOOR 'Daytime 200%' Intensity, regardless of the rheostat setting.The full power headlight mode (when the headlight switch ON or if the dash sensor detects low light levels is indicated by the 'yellow/orange sun' displayed on the tach cluster, and the headlights will come on at 100% intensity. The dash lights WILL automatically, noticeably DIM IF the dash dimmer rheostat is set to ANY position other than the DOOR 'Daytime 200%' brightness when the 'Full On' mode is activated.From the 2003 Owners Manual... Automatic Light Control (ALC)Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic light sensor on the top left corner of the instrument panel, so be sure it is not covered or the headlamps will be oncontinuously.When it is dark enough outside, your ALC will turn on your low-beam headlamps at the normal brightness along with other lamps such as the taillamps, sidemarker, parking lamps and instrument panel lights.The parking brake must be released for ALC to work.This is indicated by the headlamp symbol on yourinstrument panel cluster.If you are driving through a parking garage, overcastweather, or a tunnel, the ALC may turn on yourlow-beam headlamps at a normal brightness along withthe taillamps, sidemarker, parking lamps and theinstrument panel lights. The radio lights will be dimmer,and the instrument panel cluster lights may dim. Therewill be a 10 to 15 second delay before the lights willturn on when starting the car at night....Daytime Running LampsDaytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for others to see the front of your vehicle during the day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the short periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully functional daytime running lamps are required on all vehicles first sold in Canada.The DRL system will make your headlamps come on at a reduced brightness when the following conditions are met: The ignition is on with the engine running, the exterior lamps switch is off and the parking brake is released.When the DRL are on, only your headlamps will be onat a reduced brightness. The taillamps, sidemarker andother lamps won’t be on. Your instrument panel won’tbe lit up either.When you turn the exterior lamp switch to the headlampposition, your DRL will go off and your headlamps willcome on. The other lamps that come on with yourheadlamps will also come on.When it begins to get dark, the headlamps willautomatically switch from DRL to the regularheadlamps. See “Automatic Light Control” earlier inthis section.When you turn the exterior lamp switch off, the regularlamps will go off and your headlamps will change to thereduced brightness of DRL provided it is not darkoutside. DRL also comes on if only the parking lampsare being used.Interior/Instrument Panel Brightness DialThe interior/instrument panel brightness dial is located to the left of the steering wheel on the instrument panel.The brightness of the instrument panel lights will not decrease when the headlamps are on. It is recommended that the brightness level is kept at the maximum setting for all daytime driving to insure proper visibility.The interior light has the following positions:OFF: This position turns the light off.ON: This position keeps the light on all the time.DOOR: This position turns the light on when any of theside doors, the liftgate or the liftglass is opened. Thelight goes off when all the side doors, the liftgate and theliftglass are closed.Illuminated Entry System (If Equipped)When the interior/instrument panel brightness dial is inthe DOOR position, the light will come on when anyside door, the liftgate or the liftglass is opened. Afterany side door, the liftgate or the liftglass is closed, thelight will remain on for about 15 seconds and then goout except under the following conditions: All of the side doors, the liftgate and the liftglassare closed when the ignition is in the ACC or ONpositions. The ignition is turned to ACC or ON after all theside doors, the liftgate and the liftglass are closed. All the side doors and liftgate are locked when theliftglass is closed and the light is still on.When any side door is unlocked with the key or remotekeyless entry system transmitter, the light comes on for15 seconds, even if the door is not opened.To prevent the battery from draining, the lights willautomatically turn off when the key is removed and thedoor is left opened with the dial in the DOOR positionfor 20 minutes or more.

Quote, originally posted by ragingfish »This is normal.If you want to keep it from dimming, turn it up one more notch to the solid thick line. That keeps the lights from ever dimming.That's where I always have it set. The thing is that the dash lights dim even in the daytime, which makes it difficult to read. That's why I've noticed it.Occasionally during driving, it may blink back to the brighter setting.

You "may" be experiencing a dimmer switch problem possibly then. Its hard to say. Mine is on the solid line and never flickers unless I turn on my interior lights with the same switch then it dims but gets bright again the moment I turn it back to the solid line.

Disconnecting the auto headlight sensor will probably fix it. Carefully, using a flat-headed screwdriver (fairly small), pop up the sensor, which is that little bubble on the left side of the dash, right near the windshield. Disconnect it, and use a cable tie or something to keep the connector from falling back into the dash. Pop the sensor back in the dash, and it should stop doing that.Now, unfortunately, this means you'll have to turn on your headlights manually at night. It's possible that the dealer might give you the upgraded DRL module, but then, they might not.

Or hit it from the other side... Pull the gauge trim ring off, and look up and to the left of the tach, the sensor's harness is right there. Unplug it and you're done. There's even a convenient place to hang the wiring, on one of the white "ears" that stick out from the top of the speedo.I snipped one of the wires going to the sensor and spliced in a switch to enable/disable the automatic stuff.

Quote, originally posted by Mavrik »You "may" be experiencing a dimmer switch problem possibly then. Its hard to say. Mine is on the solid line and never flickers unless I turn on my interior lights with the same switch then it dims but gets bright again the moment I turn it back to the solid line.I was fiddling around with it today and discovered if I push the edge of the dimmer wheel to the right it works properly, but when I let go it dims. So it looks like it's probably a problem with the dimmer switch.

It does sound like the dimmer itself is the culprit... Had that happen to the dimmer controls on a few of my older cars. Still under warranty?If not, I guess there's always duct tape to hold it in the right position.

Quote, originally posted by ColonelPanic »It does sound like the dimmer itself is the culprit... Had that happen to the dimmer controls on a few of my older cars. Still under warranty?If not, I guess there's always duct tape to hold it in the right position. Still under warranty. Even though I was pretty sure about what part that needs replacement, the dealer wouldn't even considering ordering the part ahead of time to save me the time and trouble of coming in twice.I went in this morning to have it diagnosed, and they told me two hours later I need a new switch and it would be 4-5 business days to bring in.

Quote, originally posted by Herb »Still under warranty. Even though I was pretty sure about what part that needs replacement, the dealer wouldn't even considering ordering the part ahead of time to save me the time and trouble of coming in twice.I went in this morning to have it diagnosed, and they told me two hours later I need a new switch and it would be 4-5 business days to bring in.Don't ya love it!!??? Sadly, that kind of thing happens to me *every* time! But in their defense, I can see why they would like to diagnose it first. No sense in wasting $$$ and time ordering a part if that won't fix it. BUT, those here at gvc probably do a more in-depth diagnosis before we bring the car in than the dealer would do once they see the car... So give us the parts already! Let us know if that fixed ya up.

Well it's done. Brought it in this morning for a new switch.Funny thing is last week when it warmed up a bit the switch wasn't acting up as much.Anyways the new one is working fine so far.