Where the f&%! is the auto-headlight (twilight sentinel) sensor

[akqrate]

Ok

So finally went and got Phreddy to install my aux-in mod for me over the weekend and then went around to get the damn car washed. Then went out to get some white lights, and my mate opened one of the 'lids' from behind the headlights to show me how I can install my lights.

Anyways, got on the road today and the damn auto headlights is malfunctioning. They were on when it was bright and sunny driving into work today, and off in dusk at night.
Anyone know where the little sensor is located that controls the auto headlights? My mate reckons the car wash people sprayed the interior of the car and got the sensor (and managed to completely ruin my interior dark tempest finish, it's got dark spots on it where they've let the oil-based polish dry without wiping.
Does anyone know where the sensor is?

[88GreenVN]

I'll have a look and see what I can find.

[naf33n]

dead centre of the front of the dash, closest to the windscreen, little shiny square thing, cant miss it


edit
you can see it in this pic behind the gauges, near the windscreen, dark little rectangle

[akqrate]

That's it? I thought that was just the bare body black plastic?? Wonder how that can malfunction... it's huge.

[88GreenVN]

That's it? I thought that was just the bare body black plastic?? Wonder how that can malfunction... it's huge.

Maybe it's covered in the stuff they used to "clean" it???

The book said it's (auto lights) is controled by the BCM via the sun sensor.

[akqrate]

Are we sure that's it?
Does the sensor need replacing from time to time? It doesn't look like a light sensor at all, unless the black plastic is the film on top.

Drove all the way to work today at 8am under a clear blue day with the lights on. Damn it.

[50LTRv8]

That is indeed the sensor, same spot as my VT

[akqrate]

Thanks guys. Quite puzzling that it's decided to malfunction or something.

[Torquative]

and if its been sprayed with some oil based thing thats left residue it wont be measuring the brightness of the light very well, will it?

[davey g-force]

Are we sure that's it?

Definitely.

Drove all the way to work today at 8am under a clear blue day with the lights on. Damn it.

Ummm, why can't you just switch over to manual mode?

[PaulSV6]

Im just trying to work out, ur HL is in Auto mod! then y is it on during the day & off at dusk. It should come on as soon as it starts to get dark, not light!!

[JBDrifter]

Im just trying to work out, ur HL is in Auto mod! then y is it on during the day & off at dusk. It should come on as soon as it starts to get dark, not light!!

That is exactly why he has posted this thread... to try and find a fix. It is malfunctioning.

[akqrate]

and if its been sprayed with some oil based thing thats left residue it wont be measuring the brightness of the light very well, will it?

Dunno. Might give it a wipe over this weekend, but I've cleaned it with some tissues, still seems to keep the lights on in the daytime.

Definitely.



Ummm, why can't you just switch over to manual mode?

That defies the purpose of having the sensor. It's sort of like saying, why use a fork to eat when you can use your foot?
P.S. Just trying to be funny, mean no disrespect.

[BANKS]

Could the sensor under the bit of plastic? Maybe the bit of plastic is tined and only lets a curtain amount of light through

I've always thought about this when i look at it...

[davey g-force]

That defies the purpose of having the sensor. It's sort of like saying, why use a fork to eat when you can use your foot?
P.S. Just trying to be funny, mean no disrespect.

LOL, I spose what I meant was why can't you switch to manual mode just while the sensor is playing up, rather than driving to work at 8am with your headlights on?

I actually preferred the auto headlights in my old VY SS better than the VE. The VE automatically defaults to auto mode every time you switch the car off, which really pisses me off, but that's another story...

[akqrate]

I actually preferred the auto headlights in my old VY SS better than the VE. The VE automatically defaults to auto mode every time you switch the car off, which really pisses me off, but that's another story...

Are you saying there is no knob switch to select manual on the VE's? I love the look of the VE SV6, was thinking of upgrading to that in a year or two, but I keep hearing they're all plastic and things like this too.

[davey g-force]

Are you saying there is no knob switch to select manual on the VE's? I love the look of the VE SV6, was thinking of upgrading to that in a year or two, but I keep hearing they're all plastic and things like this too.

The knob is there in the VE's. The problem is that the computer keeps defaulting back to auto mode every time you switch the car off and then on again, i.e. I need to physically turn the auto headlights back to manual every time I start the car, which is a real pain in the ass.

[akqrate]

The knob is there in the VE's. The problem is that the computer keeps defaulting back to auto mode every time you switch the car off and then on again, i.e. I need to physically turn the auto headlights back to manual every time I start the car, which is a real pain in the ass.

Mate, that sounds like a design fault! Have you asked the thieves (Holden dealer) about it?

[Torquative]

no that is the design of the switch, its designed for driver safety ie defaults back to auto headlights which you can manually over ride if required.

not my favouririte thing because i like to be in control of then the lights turn on or off but thats how theyve gone now.

i thought that the sensor sits under the plastic too til i had to replace one on a Range Rover and found its a similar sensor, only this is round not flat. The black is the sensor

[davey g-force]

not my favouririte thing because i like to be in control of then the lights turn on or off...

Exactly. Plus I hate starting the car with the headlights on, plus the sensor is far too sensitive, so they come on when not required.

What's wrong with just manually flicking a switch when it's dark? Not that hard really...

I know the setting can be changed with a Tech2, though Holden said they had no knowledge of it (I reckon they just couldn't be bothered). So I'm gonna get Phreddy to have a play with his Tech2 next time I see him.

Anyway - carry on...

[Escape-The-Fate]

on the vz's, if u go into the options menu when the car is first started u can change the auto headlight settings to come on..either early, late or later..mines on late and still comes on in underground carparks or about 5:30 in the arvos at the moment which is about right considering its getting closer to winter and darkness is happening earlier

[akqrate]

on the vz's, if u go into the options menu when the car is first started u can change the auto headlight settings to come on..either early, late or later..mines on late and still comes on in underground carparks or about 5:30 in the arvos at the moment which is about right considering its getting closer to winter and darkness is happening earlier

On mine the setting is early/ normal/ late. Played around with all of them but they still seem to stay on till some random moment halfway on the M2 in the mornings when they will automatically switch off. If they are off and I go into an underground carpark, then yes they come on. But rarely are they off these days.

So the black IS the sensor? I did my major engineering project on a robot that used light sensors and never have I seen that sort of texture and finish on a light sensor. So it's not just a translucent coating on top of the actual sensor... there go my theories about maybe the sensor slipping and misaligning itself under that black plastic.