Very interesting...

 

But couldn't it also be the sensor?

 

Randy. Did you have the e-brake pulled ? Pretty sure that will turn off the DRL's.
The other photos seem to be normal operation.
(see how it's brighter in day time mode. )

 

Possibly, that would be my next step after the dimmer switch. I'd replace the dimmer first because they tend to be the problem more than the bubble sensor, mostly because the potentiometer is prone to corrosion and failure

 

Yes, I did have the E-brake on, so that explains the DRL's. But no, with light applied to the sensor, most of the dash lights went out. Just tried again, with the E-brake off, same results EXCEPT the DRL's came on. Maybe different degrees of light will cause different results, like don is saying.

That does make sense, moving parts and all.

 

We'll listen to this then


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=C11MzbEcHlw

 

I've played around with mine before. The bubble just has an on and off in mine. No multiple "degrees".
The reason you see certain dash lights turn off is because those are only on when the actual headlights are on.
Now, there are a couple of other lights that will stay on in any mode as evidenced by you're 2nd pic. I guess those aren't considered part of the dash/headlight circuit or like in the old days the parking lights system.

 

Not that it is relevant to this discussion; but the 2006-2007 DRLs are kind of an after thought design, the later DRLs are a different design.

 

Must be like this(at least on mine): some backlights go off when the headlights go off. Other lights, mostly ones that are showing messages(DIC, Radio, RPD) get brighter so that they are not washed out by ambient light.

esmarkey, looks like you have 2 HHRs, and one is not functioning in the same way as the other?

It looks like most of us discussing this have different year models, so there may be slight differences from one year to the next in functionality. We need someone with an '08 to chime in to see what exactly yours should be doing.

Here's hopin' the new dimmer fixes it!

 

That must be the early early 2007 models, mine has the DRL's in the headlights, not the turn signals like the 2006 models.