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Post by emarkay on Jan 12, 2014 17:26:19 GMT -6
How to make it sense more light so it goes into night mode when it's really night. Recently, on a 10 mile trip a few days ago it went into dark mode about 5 times, at 3:00 in the afternoon! Sure it was overcast, but that's annoying.Is there any way to fix this? On my Camaro, I used a Dremel to cut away a 1 inch radius "funnel" and the louvers (in the defroster grille) to gather as much light to make it go "dark" when it really was dark.
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Post by rorafan on Jan 13, 2014 9:56:36 GMT -6
Had same problem on my '97 and it drove me nuts. I cleaned the dust off the sensor (front middle of dash) with a Qtip and that made a difference. Years of dust could not have been helping things! Much better but I still get night mode on some overcast afternoons....but I can live with it now.
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Post by emarkay on Jan 14, 2014 7:47:11 GMT -6
I already figured a decade of dust was there, so that's cleaned. Just wondering if there was a "mod" to change the sensitivity. I know I can go "old school" and use the switch, but it is a handy feature. I was thinking of bouncing an IR LED off the windshield, but that may well shut it down at night. Well, maybe I just need a "Day Override" toggle switch somewhere...
Thanks!
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Post by human on Jan 23, 2014 17:58:14 GMT -6
Those sensors tend to go bad over time. Some become overly sensitive and some lose sensitivity. I had one in a Cadillac that always thought it was daytime, even in pitch darkness. I finally just removed the sensor and the system worked just fine in manual mode. I finally did replace the sensor and it took a couple of them to find one that worked anywhere near properly. My recommendation is to snag a few of them next time you're at the junk yard. Quite a few GM cars use the very same sensor, so they're very easy to come by.
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Post by sall on Jan 23, 2014 20:16:33 GMT -6
IMO the easiest way to deal with this is putting a resistor in series or in parallel to the sensor. I'm not sure off the top of my head what value or whether series or parallel. Let me know if you want tot give it a go and I will get the values from the FSM. You may have to experiment with certain values or use a pot to decide what you like best sensitivity wise.
If you want the car to think it is light all the time... simply pull sensor and insert 194 bulb base with jumper wire across terminals.
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RCA1186
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Rob
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Post by RCA1186 on Jan 24, 2014 8:54:33 GMT -6
You may have to experiment with certain values or use a pot to decide what you like best sensitivity wise. That's genius, a potentiometer in series/parallel with the sensor so you can adjust it to the sensitivity that you like. That's what I'd do if I were you. |
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Post by emarkay on Feb 4, 2014 18:59:30 GMT -6
I think the issue is the ALS already has too much resistance by default, correct? Would a parallel resistor change it's response curve; move it's trigger further up in ohms?? Very curious...
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Post by emarkay on Apr 3, 2014 18:22:02 GMT -6
Anyone confirm the above?
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Post by sall on Apr 18, 2014 13:21:35 GMT -6
Your sensor is probably just bad. I never had any issues really. Just prefer control of my own lamps.
Measure the resistance of sensor. Simply pop it out. Cover it up if measure resistance. If it is above 31k ohms, it's good. If you put a flashlight on it it should read less than 23k ohms. If it checks out than you are just picky like me.
So you want a resistor in parallel to make it seem more light when it is not. Series would make it go seem darker sooner and auto light will come on. You will have to experiment with pot resistance.
Or just jump both ambient light sensor terminals and control your lights on your own!
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Post by emarkay on Oct 18, 2014 15:40:54 GMT -6
Used some isopropyl and WD 40 and removed the black paint and it is now A-OK!
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Post by theghost on Jun 25, 2016 13:14:55 GMT -6
I have 1999 aurora. Recently my instrument panel, and fog lights won't come on. All other lights work properly. Turn signals, headlights, highbeams, cornering lights, interior. The radio lights work during the day. They also work at night when I 1st start my car. As soon As I put it drive. They go dull. This allowed me to believe maybe its the sensor that detects if its night time because thats what usually makes the fog lamps along with the spedometer and everything switch on. Although they aren't coming on. My cruise control still works along with warning lights, traction control etc. if anyone has knowledge on this issue could you lend a hand
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Post by sall on Jun 25, 2016 23:12:25 GMT -6
I have 1999 aurora. Recently my instrument panel, and fog lights won't come on. All other lights work properly. Turn signals, headlights, highbeams, cornering lights, interior. The radio lights work during the day. They also work at night when I 1st start my car. As soon As I put it drive. They go dull. This allowed me to believe maybe its the sensor that detects if its night time because thats what usually makes the fog lamps along with the spedometer and everything switch on. Although they aren't coming on. My cruise control still works along with warning lights, traction control etc. if anyone has knowledge on this issue could you lend a hand Clean your MFS out. |
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