2009 hhr ss dash lights go dim in bright sunshine [also radio] TERRY

 

The automatic headlight sensor on the dash may be bad or obstructed. Make sure nothing is blocking the sunlight from the sensor.

A way to test.
In the bright sunlight, turn on the fog lights. The daytime running headlamps should turn off. If the headlamps remain on, then it's a sensor issue.

 

They are supposed to dim & bright under certain circumstances, like going through tunnels. They don't necessarily follow the status of the headlights, since the headlights are always on, they are different at night and day.

 

Hey Don
Just to be clear, the headlights are not always on. Like I stated in the above post. In sunlight, the headlights(daytime lamps) will go out when the fog lamps are on.

 

Not ALL have fogs. Some variation of DRL is on (head lights, running lights on a 2006, fog lights). The dash lights react to if the headlights or DRL are on; when you enter a tunnel in daylight the headlight go on/the dash lights go to night mode when you exit the tunnel the headlights go out the DRL goes on the dash goes daylight mode. I think there may even another mode or 2, maybe a dusk mode.

Even though the DRL uses the headlights the computer sees them as DRL.

In other words, Terry's dash lights are probably acting as designed. Depends on the exact state of ambient light that the sensor sees. Probably just noticed it after the dash lights were adjusted.

I have never had fog lights; I didn't know they turned the DRL off; I thought it was only the highbeams that turned the fogs off (or vice versa). My new thing for the day, now I can relax.

This is what Mitchell has to say:

 

True that Don.
But. I was stating headlights off in regards to the OP having a SS. I know that your posted info was regarding HHR's in general.
Nobody's wrong here.
You and I are correct in regards to what we posted.

 

I was just bored and looked it up finally, since it has been a frequent question through the years.

Just elucidating, not contesting.

 

Great info for the SS and LS/ LT owners! No contest!

 

Ooooohh, good word, too!!

 

Thanks for info , turned on fog lites & headlites went off so i guess it's just bad design, wifes SONATA is readable all the time, so is my 03 EXTREME , my 03 impala sucks also. TERRY