GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

This morning on my way to work ( 8 am ) it was bright as it can be ( sunny, no cloud ) and my VIBE thinks it's too dark and therefore turned on the headlamp!Because the A-pillar's shadow was over the sensor.After work, on my way home( around 4:30 ), it was a little cloudy but still bright enough and my VIBE disagreed with me again!This time , no shadow just a cloudy time.Are VIBEs supposed to be this sensitive ? It's like I am usually the only one on the road with headlamps on in broad day light

Short answer = yes. I also hate that.

And it gets worse. This evening we were out late. Got back to the Vibe after dark. Unlocking the car turned the interior dome lamps on, which it doesn't do (or I haven't noticed it) during the bright day. So I figured the light sensor was working and knew we'd appreciate some light getting into the car. I start the car, back out, and the "auto" headlights still haven't turned themselves on. No green star. Finally "I" turn the headlights on because it's so dark I can't see the road well.My conclusion? Whomever designed the light sensor did it to annoy us. Lights ON when you don't need them, and no lights when you do.Pontiac... it makes you look like idiots.KSneptune

i think they should have used mutilple sensors, in the manuals it says dont put stickers or anything over in that corner hmm where do some of use have to put our inspection stickers? in that corner it not like thats some goofy car thing some people do it's a requirement by law i mean yeah some states put them in the middle but come on we all dont

I have the same problem...Here in Texas we are required by law to put the inspection and state registration sticker in the lower left corner. If I hit a shadow sometimes it hits my lights on.

I've never had a problem with them NOT turning on however, for all the use it is, they probably should have hard wired the lights on full all the time and save the expense of a sensor that effectively does the same thing!!!C'mon Pontiac! What's wrong with the sensor in the MIDDLE of the dash????

They probably should move the sensor in a rolling design change but they should definitely fix the design of the sensor itself and replace all of these defective ones!

Hi there,I'm not too happy with the sensitivity of the automatic lights either but I was looking at the dome cover on the sensor and was thinking that maybe the material the cover was made out of was too thick causing it to limit some of the light getting to the sensor.Does anyone think there might be a way to simply replace the dome over the sensor with a less opaque cover? It might be an easier fix than to disengage the whole thing.Dave

This has been a long running issue since day-one with the Vibes. We know they are aware of this problem and may have had it adjusted for the 2004 models (I haven't heard from too many 2004 members yet on this). I know the location of the sensor hasn't changed for 2004, but the sensitivity may have.You can read some back-dated threads here:http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id ... ad?id=2075

quote:Are VIBEs supposed to be this sensitive ? Mine was the same way, until I DISCONNECTED the damned thing!!! Pop the sensor out (it just snaps in) and UNPLUG IT! Then put it back. I tied the wire and plug to the bottom before I put it back so it wouldn't rattle, and so I could reconnect it if I ever wanted to. (As if.....)

Does anyone know if the '04's have a clear cover on that sensor? I took off my gray('03) cover, put clear 'plastic-wrap' over it, replaced it into the dash, and it works very well now. It works as well as other 'dusk/dawn' sensors I've owned. Now, I would like to replace the 'Man-From-Glad' cover with a more permanent and more pleasing to the eye cover. Are they making such a cover for the '04's? G.W.

heya gwm, How easy was it to replace? I was thinking it was something that could/should be done to it. The cover looked too dark. I may look around for something that will fit even if it's not specifically for it. There's got to be something!Dave

just disconnect the whole DRL little system, just cut the little yellow wire underneath the steering wheel and groundit and you'll be good as gold. There is more detailed instructions on how to do this on some other past forum but i can't find it.

It's the same as '03 and very annoying

quote:just disconnect the whole DRL little system, just cut the little yellow wire underneath the steering wheel and groundit and you'll be good as gold. There is more detailed instructions on how to do this on some other past forum but i can't find it.Why cut wires? Just unplug the sensor. One less thing to deal with when you trade in the car down the road...But that's me. I hate do do irreversible changes to things...I like to know I can change my mind should I ever want to...

quote: I took off my gray('03) cover, put clear 'plastic-wrap' over it, replaced it into the dash, and it works very well now.How do you get the current cover off?

When you pop the entire sensor assembly out of the dash, you'll see the current cover just snaps on.

Ok, so maybe my question should have been: how do you pop the entire assembly out of the dash? What do you have to take off to get to it?

Nothing. Just take a very flat, very small screwdriver, and pry around it. It should pop right out.

quote:Mine was the same way, until I DISCONNECTED the damned thing!!! Pop the sensor out (it just snaps in) and UNPLUG IT! Then put it back. I tied the wire and plug to the bottom before I put it back so it wouldn't rattle, and so I could reconnect it if I ever wanted to. (As if.....)I now know what I'm doing first thing in the morning