Automatic headlight and light sensor help.

[Janobala]

I want to do something to make the automatic headlights come on sooner (while still somewhat bright outside.) they do not come on until about 8:30pm when it's starting to get decently dark outside. They also do not turn on in gloomy rainy weather. Is there a easy way to tint the light sensor on the dash so they will come on sooner. Has anyone else done this. I believe the light sensor is on the right side of the instrument closest to the windshield. The left side of it is the red led. And does anyone know What the circular instrument below it is?

 

[jjcool00]

Throw a piece of paper up on top of it and it will come on. Remove said paper to get them to turn off.

 

[Janobala]

Umm no... I want a legitimate way to do it. I don't wanna just cover it with paper or some other half ass lazy way.

 

[Janobala]

That also defeats the purpose of auto lights? Why not just turn the nob on and off instead of using a piece of paper??? And said paper won't stay in place with the windows and sun roof open.

 

[jjcool00]

First of all, I was joking - clearly. Secondly, I wouldn't recommend tinting it... I have heard of stories and know people who have tinted their windshields and have issues with the headlights always coming on. Now I don't know anyone with an LS that has had this issue, specifically, but my buddies Trailblazer does this.

 

[Blueberryyum02]

The only thing I could see is to start off with the highest tint and work your way down. Till you achevie the results your looking for.

As for the circular tab it's the sun load sensor, for the HVAC system.

 

[1LoudLS]

I tinted mine a little bit so except for bright sunny days, the headlights come on. used a very small amount of spray on tint I had left over from doing my tails.

VHT Nightshade

 

[Janobala]

I may try starting out just tinting a piece of tape and putting it on until I acheivw the results I want. If you're in the eastern time zone. I would want my lights to be coming on about now. And they don't.

 

[RigsLS]

http://deneau.info/ls/s6x~us~en~file=s6xh1019.htm~gen~ref.htm

Could always take it out and hit it with some lens tint spray paint, like VHT night-shades.

Maybe get another light sensor (Photocell) from a wrecked LS out of a yard, use it as an experiment piece.

 

[RigsLS]

I may try starting out just tinting a piece of tape and putting it on until I acheivw the results I want. If you're in the eastern time zone. I would want my lights to be coming on about now. And they don't.

Wonder if the GPS Compass resetting procedure would add to this dilemma of yours. (considering the resetting procedures determine location & time zone)

 

[joegr]

Wonder if the GPS Compass resetting procedure would add to this dilemma of yours. (considering the resetting procedures determine location & time zone)

Nope, not a factor at all with the autolamps. They go by light level only.

 

[RigsLS]

^ There you go, that's what happens when one wonders.

http://deneau.info/ls/s6x~us~en~file=s6xh1002.htm~gen~ref.htm

Abstract: The autolamps are controlled by the headlamp switch, photocell sensor, instrument cluster and the FEM. The headlamps may be in the high or low beam position depending on the multifunction switch position. When the headlamp switch is in the autolamp position, the instrument cluster sends an ON or OFF command to the FEM, depending on the signal from the autolamp sensor. The FEM processes this information and outputs the appropriate command to the headlamps.

CHECK THE LIGHT SENSOR INPUT - ... PID percentage change with the light sensor covered ...






Loud1, you beat me to it RE: VHT Nightshade.

 

[Janobala]

How do you remove the sensor. Will it just pop out with like a flathead. The windshield is too close to do that anyway.

 

[joegr]

How do you remove the sensor. Will it just pop out with like a flathead. The windshield is too close to do that anyway.

Remove the door gaskets
Remove the A-Pillar covers
Remove the instrument panel defroster grille
Disconnect the electrical connector
Remove the 2 screws and the light sensor

http://deneau.info/ls/s6x~us~en~file=s6xh1019.htm~gen~ref.htm

 

[Janobala]

Yeah no thanks. Too much effort for something so small. Thanks anyway. Guess I'll just do a sharpie or something.

 

[1LoudLS]

too much effort?!?

that panel comes out in under 5 minutes.

the A pillars pop right out and pull off, then that panel pops right up, you don't even need a tool until you go to remove the sensor from the panel...



if you think thats a lot of effort, just wait until you really need to do something to the car.

 

[myfirstlincoln]

So you didn't want to do it some half-a$$ed way but when presented the proper way to do it, you decide to go with a sharpie...

Just take your time and give it a shot. You'll probably be happier than using a sharpie.

 

[Janobala]

i replaced the thermostat housing in the freezing cold in the middle of the night, i think i actually know effort. i just dont feel like doing that for something as small as the light sensor. when i do my interior lights removing the headliner and door panels and all that maybe ill go ahead and do it then.

 

[joegr]

It really is less than 5 minutes work to do...

 

[1LoudLS]

you literally spent more time looking online to see if there was a way to do what you wanted, than what it would have taken to get the job done...

 

[RigsLS]

Sharpie's smell good! I like sharpie's ... :runaway:​