Disable sensor on low beams
November 26th, 2006, 11:17 PM
#11
RE: Disable sensor on low beams
ORIGINAL: xclusive
the problem with doin this is like u said it momentary switch so u have to do this everytime u get into the truck, which is a pain... are you sure the ball in the center of the dash is the sensor. i thought it might have been the built in compass...
the problem with doin this is like u said it momentary switch so u have to do this everytime u get into the truck, which is a pain... are you sure the ball in the center of the dash is the sensor. i thought it might have been the built in compass...
As for getting to it - I turn the floor over to those who know how to remove it. Do look at the Navigation Installation post from ZX - he has instructions in there on how to do remove the dash.
November 26th, 2006, 11:37 PM
#12
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RE: Disable sensor on low beams
Yes I know it says in the manual. However when you start the car each time and you are in a dark location the low beams will come on. I am trying to avoid that. What it says in the manual is just for a temporary fix as you start the car. Once the car is shut up and started up again, it will go back to its default setting of the low beams being turned on it dark locations.
November 27th, 2006, 5:11 PM
#13
RE: Disable sensor on low beams
The round ball is the photo-cell ambient light sensor that controls the auto-lamps and climate control system. To get to the sensor you will need to remove both a-pillar moldings first then pop off the panel.
The auto-lamp system cannot be disabled permanently it is designed to default to ON every time the ignition key is recycled for obvious reasons and you will have to disarm the auto-lamps each time you start the vehicle.
It will remain this way until some genius develops a black box (similar to GM Lock-pick) that will work around this, but my guess is that there isn't enough call to warrant development of this item though.
The auto-lamp system cannot be disabled permanently it is designed to default to ON every time the ignition key is recycled for obvious reasons and you will have to disarm the auto-lamps each time you start the vehicle.
It will remain this way until some genius develops a black box (similar to GM Lock-pick) that will work around this, but my guess is that there isn't enough call to warrant development of this item though.
November 28th, 2006, 12:18 PM
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RE: Disable sensor on low beams
Such a desired item does exist. Back when I had a 1999 Silverado, I purchased a kit off an internet store that I installed to disable the auto headlight feature. I ended up with a button on the dash that looked factory. I can't find where on-line it is, and I can't find any old paperwork. I got rid of all of the paerwork when I sold the truck.
I will keep looking and if I find it I will post the contact info.
I will keep looking and if I find it I will post the contact info.
November 29th, 2006, 3:30 AM
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RE: Disable sensor on low beams
If you can find that information that would be GREAT!! I really need that. Hopefully you can find something for us. 
December 17th, 2006, 9:59 PM
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RE: Disable sensor on low beams
It's not as easy as unplugging theambient light sensor to dis-able it. Onmy 2001 Tahoe I was able to access the ambient light sensor without taking the top dashboard off. I took off the front dash trim and pulled the factory stereo out and was able to get ahold of the ambient light sensor behind the stereo (right side sensorwith white and gray wires attached). I then un-latched the glovebox so it would swing down and on the left hand sidebehind the glove box you can pull the ambient light sensor down (white and gray wires).... After I unplugged the sensor the lights still come on.
I thought of jumperingthe wires togetherbut from what I've been reading aboutlight sensors, the sensor gets poweron one wire and sends a "signal"on the other wire back the onboard computer tellingthe BCM its sensing"daylight" and signalsthe relay to turn the lights off.
Am I wrong on this? can someone with more technical electrical experience comment?
I thought of jumperingthe wires togetherbut from what I've been reading aboutlight sensors, the sensor gets poweron one wire and sends a "signal"on the other wire back the onboard computer tellingthe BCM its sensing"daylight" and signalsthe relay to turn the lights off.
Am I wrong on this? can someone with more technical electrical experience comment?
December 18th, 2006, 1:39 AM
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RE: Disable sensor on low beams
ORIGINAL: ChadS
It's not as easy as unplugging theambient light sensor to dis-able it. Onmy 2001 Tahoe I was able to access the ambient light sensor without taking the top dashboard off. I took off the front dash trim and pulled the factory stereo out and was able to get ahold of the ambient light sensor behind the stereo (right side sensorwith white and gray wires attached). I then un-latched the glovebox so it would swing down and on the left hand sidebehind the glove box you can pull the ambient light sensor down (white and gray wires).... After I unplugged the sensor the lights still come on.
I thought of jumperingthe wires togetherbut from what I've been reading aboutlight sensors, the sensor gets poweron one wire and sends a "signal"on the other wire back the onboard computer tellingthe BCM its sensing"daylight" and signalsthe relay to turn the lights off.
Am I wrong on this? can someone with more technical electrical experience comment?
It's not as easy as unplugging theambient light sensor to dis-able it. Onmy 2001 Tahoe I was able to access the ambient light sensor without taking the top dashboard off. I took off the front dash trim and pulled the factory stereo out and was able to get ahold of the ambient light sensor behind the stereo (right side sensorwith white and gray wires attached). I then un-latched the glovebox so it would swing down and on the left hand sidebehind the glove box you can pull the ambient light sensor down (white and gray wires).... After I unplugged the sensor the lights still come on.
I thought of jumperingthe wires togetherbut from what I've been reading aboutlight sensors, the sensor gets poweron one wire and sends a "signal"on the other wire back the onboard computer tellingthe BCM its sensing"daylight" and signalsthe relay to turn the lights off.
Am I wrong on this? can someone with more technical electrical experience comment?
So in theory if you were to determine what that resistance value is in broad daylight you may be able to disconnect the sensor and replace it witha resistor of the value you recorded.
This will mimic the sensor always seeing daylight , thus , not controlling your headlights automatically.
December 18th, 2006, 2:11 AM
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RE: Disable sensor on low beams
Golfer, thanks for your input..
This afternoon after I disconnected the sensor and the lights remained on. I started thinking sensor was a variable resistor too... but when I attach my ohmmeter it reads "open-load" (no resistance) in daylight or darkness... the next step I'm thinking about (when it gets sunny again) is attaching it back into the BCM wiring harness and taking a milivoltmeasurement on the white (ambient light sensor "signal") and the gray (ambient light sensor "reference").
Ihave a feeling that the sensor actually outputs a milivolt signal that corresponds into "lumin's" that the BCM (body control module)reads and determines how"light" it is.... Thats the way it works with the ambient light sensorsin commercial buildings (to automatically turn on parking lot lights) or so I've been reading.
This afternoon after I disconnected the sensor and the lights remained on. I started thinking sensor was a variable resistor too... but when I attach my ohmmeter it reads "open-load" (no resistance) in daylight or darkness... the next step I'm thinking about (when it gets sunny again) is attaching it back into the BCM wiring harness and taking a milivoltmeasurement on the white (ambient light sensor "signal") and the gray (ambient light sensor "reference").
Ihave a feeling that the sensor actually outputs a milivolt signal that corresponds into "lumin's" that the BCM (body control module)reads and determines how"light" it is.... Thats the way it works with the ambient light sensorsin commercial buildings (to automatically turn on parking lot lights) or so I've been reading.