Do the light sensors go bad?

littleblazer

Original poster
Member
Jul 6, 2014
9,265
Just curious. I was driving the truck yesterday on the highway. Like 10:30 am really bright and sunny and all of a sudden the dash dimmed and stayed that way for a minute or two then went back to normal. I was in the shade briefly on an on ramp but it was just tree shade, not normally enough to trip it and even still it was back in light for a substantial amount of time before it went out again. Just wondering if that's the issue or if I have something else going on.
 

Mooseman

Moderator
Dec 4, 2011
25,262
Ottawa, ON
I haven't heard of these failing before. Maybe it's dirty, making it more sensitive to darkness? (or not sensitive enough to light)
 

Sparky

Member
Dec 4, 2011
12,927
It is a semiconductor, so it could happen in theory. Mine in my truck will keep my headlights on in the morning a lot longer than I would expect. Seems it bases it off of shadows and ambient light. On a bright sunny morning at 7:30 the headlights will still stay on because there is a shadow from the wiper arm across part of the sensor. I wouldn't think it would be enough of a shadow, but until the sensor is in full sun for a bit it won't turn the lights off. Now if it is a somewhat overcast morning so it is still daylight but no harsh shadows, the headlights will turn off. Go figure.
 

vipergg

Member
Dec 7, 2011
191
It is a semiconductor, so it could happen in theory. Mine in my truck will keep my headlights on in the morning a lot longer than I would expect. Seems it bases it off of shadows and ambient light. On a bright sunny morning at 7:30 the headlights will still stay on because there is a shadow from the wiper arm across part of the sensor. I wouldn't think it would be enough of a shadow, but until the sensor is in full sun for a bit it won't turn the lights off. Now if it is a somewhat overcast morning so it is still daylight but no harsh shadows, the headlights will turn off. Go figure.
Mine is the same way , it keeps the dash lights on the dimmer control a lot longer than you would think on bright sunny day .
 

littleblazer

Original poster
Member
Jul 6, 2014
9,265
I haven't noticed it happen again. I have noticed it seems slower than the Sierra but nothing crazy.
 

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