Auto Headlights

[MaverickZ71]

Hello,

 

I usually hang out on the Full Size Truck forum here, but have a first-timer question for you all over here.

 

My parents have an '04 Buick Rainier CXL AWD (I-6) that they really love, but recently they drove it back home on a 2 hour trip at night and had some problems with the headlights. From what they described, it sounds to me like the automatic headlight sensor that turns on the full headlights after dark was getting feedback from these new retro-reflective street signs (the ones that reflect so much light back they almost glow in the dark) that it was thinking it was daylight again, and was cutting the headlights off, back to just running the daytime running lights (DRLs). This was happening especially on some roundabouts. Then they'd drive on and the full headlights would come back on, but they felt kinda like they were driving in the dark for a moment each time.

 

Has anyone else had anything like this happen? I can't think of anything to do about it except for covering up the sensor at night.

 

Thanks in advance for any replies!

[mfennema]

Could always turn the switch to on, instead of auto if that is in fact the problem. I'd look at replacing that sensor....sounds to me like its going bad.

[Shaners]

I agree that the sensor may be going bad. It shouldn't react that fast.