My auto on lights work too well. The lights will come on if it's a little cloudy on an erratic basis. The problem with that is in seeing the dash info. I know I can switch off the auto on each time I turn the car on. Is there a sensitivity setting somewhere for when the sensor will turn on the auto lights?

 

I doubt it, but I'd also be interested to know if there was.

 

Don't believe so. I have the same issue. I just turn my dash lights up higher.

Note.....you might also assure the sensor, located in the middle of the dash, is clean......damp cloth should do it.

 

This is my one criticism of my HHR. Even on bright sunny mornings, if my sensor is in the shade when I start my car (which is almost always true), I can't see my dash (unless I turn off the auto lights). It just so happens that on the way to work every morning, the sun never (or only briefly) hits my sensor, so I've just gotten used to turning off the auto lights every morning.

 

They are pretty sensitive, but I have noticed that they are far more sensitive at this time of the year than during the summer months, probably the angle of the sun! I do not believe there is a sensitivity adjustment. At least the dash lights do not dim when the lights turn on as a result of running the wipers.

 

For a chock-full discussion on this see:
https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/problems-service-repairs-42/09-drl-auto-lights-disable-18336/

 

@scoutmstr, how are things going with the daytime running lamps and the automatic headlamp sensor?

Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service

 

The sensor is erratic in its behavior. Some days after leaving the garage the headlights will stay on even after driving a while in sunlight (AZ), some days the sensor will pick up the light and turn the headlights off right away and some days the headlights will stay on a while and then turn off. If it was consistent, I could pinpoint the problem. Being inconsistent leads me to believe I have an intermittent ground or BCM electrical intermittent connection. However the only item affected is the auto headlight system. I'll go through my Helms manual to see if there is any known solutions

 

It's the position of the sensor in referance to the wipers. During the summer months, I'm fine. In the fall and winter, mine come on more. Sun lower in the sky and the wiper is blocking part of the sensor.