'06 Tahoe, Small Sensor Fell Through Dash...

bowtie_pasta · October 16, 2009

I was wiping the dash of my Tahoe today when a small dome shaped sensor up by the window popped loose and fell into the dash. I has two wires connected to it (black and white), but I'm not sure what it does.

Anyhow, I would like some information on this part and maybe some help on how to get it back where it belongs. Normally it's something that's installed into the dash from underneath, but I'm trying to use small tools and fish it back up and in place. Don't want to tear apart the whole dash. It's a real pain I spent over an hour on it today.

I can't be the first one this has happened to. You can tell the part just twists and locks in place and I guess they come loose with vibration.

Thanks

bossier62guy · October 16, 2009

I was wiping the dash of my Tahoe today when a small dome shaped sensor up by the window popped loose and fell into the dash. I has two wires connected to it (black and white), but I'm not sure what it does.

Anyhow, I would like some information on this part and maybe some help on how to get it back where it belongs. Normally it's something that's installed into the dash from underneath, but I'm trying to use small tools and fish it back up and in place. Don't want to tear apart the whole dash. It's a real pain I spent over an hour on it today.

I can't be the first one this has happened to. You can tell the part just twists and locks in place and I guess they come loose with vibration.

Thanks

It's a sensor for the auto lighting....I've read a couple of places that you can get to it by removing your radio which is a simple job to do. Good luck!

txab · October 16, 2009

That's the ambient light sensor for your auto headlights. It twist into place. You have to get it clocked to the correct position to start it. The switches are made in two pieces and snap together. Sometime they come apart.

As stated above you may be able to get it by removing the radio. The dash is a breeze to remove. Take a look at this thread dash removal. It only takes about 30 minutes to replace it by removing the dash.

Correct link:

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=101600

Here's a pic of the sensor.

amtz.zero · October 16, 2009

Damn! This happened to me about a month ago. It was a b*tch to get it back out cause I didn't want to take the dash apart either. And it happened the same way too, I was wiping the dash. I got it out with a metal wire that I inserted through the vents right next to the hole that it fell through. It's pretty tricky and it took me close to 2 hours to get it out. When you do get it to pop out again, you have to twist it to get it to stay again. Like I said, it's pretty tricky and frustrating. I hope you get it out.

txab · October 16, 2009

The dash is no big deal

bowtie_pasta · October 16, 2009

Thanks, you guys are the best!

txab - I checked the links in that other thread and I don't see the dash removal info, it covers the steering wheel. I have the Haynes manual, hopefully that will cover it.

It sounds like pulling the radio might be the way to go, I'll look further into that. Anyone have a link on stereo removal?

Amtz.Zero - Glad to hear you actually got it done without pulling the dash, it gives me hope. I was doing the same thing today going through the vent with small tools and wire. It's a real PITA! I might have got it today, but ran out of time and had to give up.

bossier62guy · October 16, 2009

Thanks, you guys are the best!

txab - I checked the links in that other thread and I don't see the dash removal info, it covers the steering wheel. I have the Haynes manual, hopefully that will cover it.

It sounds like pulling the radio might be the way to go, I'll look further into that. Anyone have a link on stereo removal?

Amtz.Zero - Glad to hear you actually got it done without pulling the dash, it gives me hope. I was doing the same thing today going through the vent with small tools and wire. It's a real PITA! I might have got it today, but ran out of time and had to give up.

Try this one:

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...81940&st=15

bowtie_pasta · October 17, 2009

Try this one:
http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...81940&st=15

Now that's more like it. The only thing I see mentioned that I don't see the procedure for is "windshield pillar garnish moldings". Is this step self explanatory? Also what about removing the right side air outlets, do they just pop out?

Thanks a million!

bossier62guy · October 17, 2009

Try this one:
http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...81940&st=15

Now that's more like it. The only thing I see mentioned that I don't see the procedure for is "windshield pillar garnish moldings". Is this step self explanatory? Also what about removing the right side air outlets, do they just pop out?

Thanks a million!

The pillar post trim pop off w/o the use of any special tools or procedures. Just grab them and pull. Not sure about the air outlets since I've never pulled the dash off myself.

bowtie_pasta · October 17, 2009

Well thanks again. Looks like I've got another chore for this weekend.

txab · October 17, 2009

Sorry about that wrong link. Didn't have the clipboard cleared out.

Try this one. It might help a bit too. I just swapped out one the other day. It took maybe 20 minutes at the most.

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=101600

bowtie_pasta · October 17, 2009

Wow this is all so helpful!

I hope it goes smoothly. On an old rig I wouldn't really care about doing this job, but this truck is still new to me so I'm a bit apprehensive about tearing into it.

Since I don't actually need to replace or disconnect the sensor I might see if it can be done by just removing the stereo first. Who knows it might just give enough access to get my hand back there and lock it back into place. If not, then I'll just pull the dash. Looks really straightforward.

txab · October 17, 2009

It depends on how small your hand and arm is. The radio method can work for some. Either which way you go, it's not a bad job at all. Plus if your sensor ever goes bad, you'll know how to fix it.

bowtie_pasta · October 17, 2009

Well I got it done and and I want to give a BIG THANKS to all who participated in this thread! The job really was super easy once you had the information to do it. I ended up pulling the dash. I started to remove the stereo, but I could see there still wasn't enough room to reach the part.

That sensor sure doesn't lock in too snug, now I know why it popped out so easy. Seems to me GM could have make it lock with a 1/2 turn instead of the 1/4 turn.

Anyhow THANKS AGAIN, I couldn't have done the job right without this site and it's GREAT MEMBERS!