Drl Photocell

vicmar · December 31, 2007

The Photocell for the DRL fell throu the dash on my 2004 Suburban. Need som info on how to retrive it. How much of the dash do I need to remove to get to it/ Is the part I need to remove snaped or held by screws?

Thanks for any help..

Packer

unit731 · December 31, 2007

Could someone provide a brief explanation of what this item is?

minibike132 · December 31, 2007

Its kind of a pain the first time but only takes me 15 min now. Pull out the cluster bezel by putting e-brake on and shifting into low. Pull on bezel there is about 6 screws under the bezel. Then on the right and left of the dash are panels pull those off 2 screws on each side. Pull both right dash vents out. To remove dash handle reach inside vent holes and push on white retainers while pulling handle. The whole dash cove should then pop right off.

Zembonez · December 31, 2007

Could someone provide a brief explanation of what this item is?

He is taking about the photosensor for the auto headlamps. It's mounted in the front / middle portion of the dash on GMT800 trucks. Never heard of one falling out myself but I am no tech.

chuck16 · December 31, 2007

Not sure about an 04. However, on a 99-02 models it's very easy. Pull off the trim bezel

Press the 2 tabs on the stereo , slide the stereo out, disconnect it and in behind there you'll see the photo cell.

If you can get to your Stereo, and you can remove it, you should see the sensor behind there.

minibike132 · December 31, 2007

No you need to remove the whole i\p cover. I did an onstar upgrade last week and forgot to put the ambient light sensor back in and thought maybe radio but you can't even see it through the radio hole on an 04.

vicmar · December 31, 2007

Its kind of a pain the first time but only takes me 15 min now. Pull out the cluster bezel by putting e-brake on and shifting into low. Pull on bezel there is about 6 screws under the bezel. Then on the right and left of the dash are panels pull those off 2 screws on each side. Pull both right dash vents out. To remove dash handle reach inside vent holes and push on white retainers while pulling handle. The whole dash cove should then pop right off.

I checked your above,( but did not do it all as I don't have a new sensor yet, and want to replace while I'm at it, Sure looks like it will work. Appears the glove box has to come out too. Is that right?

minibike132 · January 12, 2008

Its kind of a pain the first time but only takes me 15 min now. Pull out the cluster bezel by putting e-brake on and shifting into low. Pull on bezel there is about 6 screws under the bezel. Then on the right and left of the dash are panels pull those off 2 screws on each side. Pull both right dash vents out. To remove dash handle reach inside vent holes and push on white retainers while pulling handle. The whole dash cove should then pop right off.

I checked your above,( but did not do it all as I don't have a new sensor yet, and want to replace while I'm at it, Sure looks like it will work. Appears the glove box has to come out too. Is that right?

No

jrrod2004 · January 12, 2008

just pull your radio and move your hand around the rear supporting bracket and you will see and feel it.....

svensk · January 12, 2008

just pull your radio and move your hand around the rear supporting bracket and you will see and feel it.....

Why the heck would you guys know where this thing is and why you would need to get at it? lol

My truck is old and it still works fine on it.

asilverblazer · January 12, 2008

Mine quit working, my headlights were on all the time. I could reach mine through the radio. Seems like I could get it loose and put it back in the hole but couldn't unplug the wire connector, so he may not need to remove the top of the dash. I had to to reach the pl

builderpaul · January 12, 2008

just pull your radio and move your hand around the rear supporting bracket and you will see and feel it.....

Why the heck would you guys know where this thing is and why you would need to get at it? Lil

My truck is old and it still works fine on it.

I read a post on this about a year ago. Guy was cleaning his dash and pushed on it (for some reason). This made it pop out and disappear under the dash. I don't even get near it now when wiping off the dust. Don't remember how he recovered/reinstalled it but I recall him having to remove a lot of the dash.

gccoley · January 13, 2008

just pull your radio and move your hand around the rear supporting bracket and you will see and feel it.....

Why the heck would you guys know where this thing is and why you would need to get at it? Lil

My truck is old and it still works fine on it.

I read a post on this about a year ago. Guy was cleaning his dash and pushed on it (for some reason). This made it pop out and disappear under the dash. I don't even get near it now when wiping off the dust. Don't remember how he recovered/reinstalled it but I recall him having to remove a lot of the dash.

Same thing happened to me. I took a copy machine tool that is a rod with a litte hook on the end ,reached thru the hole in the top of the dash and got hold of the wires, but when i tried to pull the sensor thru the hole it was upside down and the sensor pooped out of the clip. Oh well, quick trip to the dealership and $12 later had a new one,snapped it in the wire connector and popped it back in the dash. Other one lost behind the dash forever.