thegodfather

I Haven't noticed this until today. As I mentioned before, I have my HHR LT for about 3 weeks now. I was just wondering if it normal for the dash lights, the PRNDL shift light, & the climate control lights to Only light up when it is dark enough by a light sensor? I thought that when the headlights are on, (either the auto or manually turned on), they lit up as well. I had it to the dealer to have the remote mirrors switch changed & thought that had something to do with it. But when I got there, those lights were off, but as soon as it was pulled into the garage, they went on. He told me that the Chevy vehicles are like that with a sensor that makes them go on.
Can somebody Please let me know if this is True, or If there is a setting I need to change to have tham go on as soon as I have the headlights on.
I know this sounds rather basic and should be common knowledge, but if knowledge is so common, I know Alot of people that must not be That common.
I Would Appreciate it if someone could explain this Simple 'problem'.
Thanks

Greybeard999

There is a light sensor, center of the dash near the windshield...... It has control over the dash lights.

thegodfather

Thank You So Very Much! I thought I was nuts. I swore that those went on with the headlight switch. By the way, I was wondering what that thing was by the windshield. When I had my 2003 Ford Explorer XLT, That was where the blinking red light was for my security system. (I did find the place it flashes on my HHR).
I Appreciate You setteling this dilema for me.

Greybeard999

I wish I could tell you how to "fix" it, I've been sitting many a times in broad daylight not able to read the dash or the radio because the stupid thing seems to think it's still the night before...... But yes, that's the sensor.

thegodfather

I just put a small piece of electrical tape over it. Will that hurt anything?

sleeper

No, it will just make the sensor think it is night out..I used to throw a small rag over it when I hit some light rain, & was still light out.

IgottaWoody

Turn the dimmer all the way up

SS fan

baseball cap it's handy to keep the rain off your glasses too

thegodfather

I had the dimmer all the way up. It didn't make a difference because the dash lights weren't on. That was the situation, it was raining, just enough light to not turn the dash lights on, but enough to turn on the auto headlights. (which seems wierd to me, I would figure that one sensor would control the both of them. I now know different.)
Thanks for all the helpful information, like I said before I am still 'new' the the HHR's & Appreciate All the help I can get, & you guys have been Great with helping me!

Greybeard999

Dimmer doesn't do it on my '07 either......