GMC dash lights

[Robert Zack]

I mostly post on the 8N forum & it was suggested there that I run this by y'all. I've tried a few GM forums, & you tube. The dealer is no help even though they probably know exactly what' the issue is. I have a 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4. ext, cab with 294 V-8. During the day my dash lights work. at night, no go. they do occasionally flicker. headlight switch has been changed twice. this does have the auto headlight feature. anyone encountered this? the gas gauge, temp. gauge, odometer lights, & warning lights do work day or night. the dimmer is part of the headlight switch & does work. at night it still turns the dome light on & off.
there's a small smoke colored plastic dome on the dash that I believe runs the auto lights.

 

[Mule Meat]

Ambient Light Sensor .
Yes it's the small dome shape thing on the dash.

If you have small hands (or know someone that does) it is possible to replace the sensor by removing the radio. If not you must remove the dash to get to it (most likely what a dealer will charge you for).

You can look around YouTube for videos on how to replace it. You will better be able to determine if it's some you wish to tackle.


On a side note.. Check with a dealer before you go to places like advance. . Last one I changed. Advance wanted $49.00 for one while the dealer had it for $12.00.

 

[rustred]

I mostly post on the 8N forum & it was suggested there that I run this by y'all. I've tried a few GM forums, & you tube. The dealer is no help even though they probably know exactly what' the issue is. I have a 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4. ext, cab with 294 V-8. During the day my dash lights work. at night, no go. they do occasionally flicker. headlight switch has been changed twice. this does have the auto headlight feature. anyone encountered this? the gas gauge, temp. gauge, odometer lights, & warning lights do work day or night. the dimmer is part of the headlight switch & does work. at night it still turns the dome light on & off.
there's a small smoke colored plastic dome on the dash that I believe runs the auto lights.

Why is the dealer of no help ?

 

[used red MN]

Why is the dealer of no help ?

My guess is he is only looking for the verbal diagnosis but doesn’t want to give up the $$ and the dealer is smart enough to not give out the info without getting the $$/shop diagnostic charge.

 

[hoghollow]

it is a 14-15 year old vehicle Dealer could- nt care less about it or the customer

 

[Robert Zack]

was diagnosis could run up to 400.00
not sure that it is the sensor. does that sound like the most likely culprit?

 

[DoubleO7]

During the day my dash lights work. at night, no go.

What happens if you manually have the headlights on ?
And what happens when the parking lights are on manually?
Bypassing the auto-on feature might allow the dashlights to act normal?

 

[Blackhole49]

I mostly post on the 8N forum & it was suggested there that I run this by y'all. I've tried a few GM forums, & you tube. The dealer is no help even though they probably know exactly what' the issue is. I have a 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4. ext, cab with 294 V-8. During the day my dash lights work. at night, no go. they do occasionally flicker. headlight switch has been changed twice. this does have the auto headlight feature. anyone encountered this? the gas gauge, temp. gauge, odometer lights, & warning lights do work day or night. the dimmer is part of the headlight switch & does work. at night it still turns the dome light on & off.
there's a small smoke colored plastic dome on the dash that I believe runs the auto lights.

Could the dimming control for the dash lights be faulty? If the sensor turns the headlights on, I would think it would do the dash lights also.

 

[DoubleO7]

Could the dimming control for the dash lights be faulty? If the sensor turns the headlights on, I would think it would do the dash lights also.

I am thinking there might be two separate sensors in that dome. One to turn the headlights on and another that adjusts the dashlights to the ambient lighting inside the cab.

 

[used red MN]

Could the dimming control for the dash lights be faulty? If the sensor turns the headlights on, I would think it would do the dash lights also?

The dimmer switch is part of the headlight switch which has been replaced twice. I asked about it in his other thread.

 

[Blackhole49]

I am thinking there might be two separate sensors in that dome. One to turn the headlights on and another that adjusts the dashlights to the ambient lighting inside the cab.

I had an 08 and currently have an 11. On both, the dash light brightness was controlled by the dial on the light switch. Mine have no auto dimming that I'm aware of.

 

[Robert Zack]

the dial controls dimming & the dome light. i tried all the switch positions. saw one video that says if the dash sensor isn't working the lights won't come on during daylight hours so that might rule that out. a couple more videos say that dash lights can quit if you have a headlight or tail light bulb out. i hate these newer vehicles. the signals on this truck are computer run. the flasher click comes thru the driver's door speaker. how screwy is that!?

 

[jhwis]

If you can't figure it out and if the headlights work at night and you can see the odometer (speed)...i'd call it a day and just count your blessings it isn't worse. It's a 15 year old vehicle. And yes...new vehicles are great till they aren't. I drive old beaters myself. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Robert Zack]

the speedo & tach do not light up, just the bottom row. I do not drive at night that often & have been checking my speed now & again with a mini mag light when i do. I can get by without fixing it. It's just frustrating that I can't.

 

[cjunrau]

the speedo & tach do not light up, just the bottom row. I do not drive at night that often & have been checking my speed now & again with a mini mag light when i do. I can get by without fixing it. It's just frustrating that I can't.

I have in the past wired a light very dim to shine on my dash so I could see. Just plug it in the cigarette lighter if you don’t want to wire in a switch. I am the kind of guy that will not pay $400 to diagnose a $50 problem. I just make do with what I can.

 

[jhwis]

I have in the past wired a light very dim to shine on my dash so I could see. Just plug it in the cigarette lighter if you don’t want to wire in a switch. I am the kind of guy that will not pay $400 to diagnose a $50 problem. I just make do with what I can.

I like this idea.

 

[Robert Zack]

" will not pay $400 to diagnose a $50 problem." me either. i just found out that a fellow beekeeper works in parts at a local GM dealer. maybe i can get him to glean some information. the light i use is a small key ring/carabiner with an tiny led light

 

[DERM]

Did some checking on Identafix bad grounds to body and engine block and frame came up quite a bit.

 

[Texasmark]

What happens if you manually have the headlights on ?
And what happens when the parking lights are on manually?
Bypassing the auto-on feature might allow the dashlights to act normal?

I would think so. The headlight switch has a full on position. I have a 2011 Silverado with that feature....but no problems with it. The thingamajig on the dash is a light sensor and when in the automatic mode tells the lights when to turn on or off. When I start my truck in the garage, it senses darkness and turns the lights on. When I back out and the sunshine hits it the lights turn off. Makes sense that it's the root cause of any problems but should be out of the circuit when light switch is in the manual mode.

I am tickled that GM has that feature because driving at dawn and dusk, a lot of drivers don't turn on their lights and a black vehicle with no "ignition on" running lights coming at you at 65 MPH could be a death trap on a 2 lane highway with a poky in front of you.

 

[Robert Zack]

loosened & cleaned the engine to frame ground strap. and, unrelated i just installed a new battery ( STICKER SHOCK!! ). no change. i'm carrying a small mag light & doing spot checks when driving at night & using cruise control on the highway. i'm not losing any sleep over it but i hate unresolved issues.