Radio acivated with DRL system

flyboyron · June 27, 2013

As you may know when the sun goes down, the sensor on the dash will turn on
the exterior running lights and also dim the dash lights.

When the sun comes up, the running lights go off and the dash will brighten
up for daytime running.

Well, it seems that in theory that would work, until you start driving when
the sun comes up and the sensor is in the shadow of the door pillar, or the
wiper blades, or your passing 18 wheelers so the whole dash is in the shade.

It is getting frustrating to not be able to read the radio and clock in the mornings.
I can drive 20 miles to work while the sun is up and the lights don't change.

So I turn the headlight knob every which way but loose. I fiddle with the
dome light switch and the dash dims, but won't get any brighter.

So what do I do to get the dash lights brighter in the morning when the sun
comes up?

Should I take a flashlight and tape it to the dash pointing at the sensor?

&CDFiXER% · June 28, 2013

Not to be a smart-alec but have you tried turning the headlight knob to the left to the off position? If I recall correctly, my 09' had the same knob my 13' does and if I turn it to the left then the DRL's turn off and the dash lights come up.

Had me wondering if my memory was as rusty as I thought but in the 09' owner's manual on page 3-16 it seems to back up what I remember.

Knowklew · June 28, 2013

Cover the sensor with something opaque.

flyboyron · June 30, 2013

Something opaque would block all the light.

CDFixer,

one of the conditions in the list on that page is ...

The light sensor determines it is daytime.

Mine must not sense that it is daytime....Yet.

Now if I get in the truck during the day, and start the truck with the windshield cover in the dash I notice all the lights are dim. When I remove the cover it takes less than 30 seconds for the lights to brighten up.

&CDFiXER% · July 12, 2013

Gotcha and happened to me the other morning so I was way off. Sorry about that.

Only other solutions that come to mind is if there is some sort of over ride, like starting the truck with the e-brake on or bypassing the sensor or making it a bit less sensitive by adding resistance in series. No idea if any of these will work, although I would bet an outright bypass is possible.

Ask the dealership?