Headlamps: Always "ON"?

[Sharkster]

On my H3 the headlamps are always on, when the light knob is set to "AUTO". Even in bright daytime.

This could be something which has been changed by the importer of my car (via programming or software), since my car runs in Germany. However, I would prefer it if only the Daytime Running Lights (DRL) would be on during daytime. Is there a way to set it back to the standard configuration? I've already checked the manual, but it doesn't say how to "program" the auto light setting.

[HummerNewbie]

Does anyone know where the sensor is to turn them on and off? Maybe you have something covering it on yours.

[Scouts Out]

the dealer told me the sensor was passanger side of the dash far right, small half dollar size circular sensor

[DarthKarl]

Originally posted by HummerNewbie:
Does anyone know where the sensor is to turn them on and off? Maybe you have something covering it on yours.

It's on top of the dash on the passenger side (by the pillar). If you throw a newspaper or something else on top of the sensor, it'll keep the lights on.

[HummerNewbie]

I hadn't look to be sure but I thought that was were it was.

[Chip]

My Pet Peeve with theses cars is what you have to do if you want to drive with no lights on in the daytime. GM makes it difficult.

[fourfourto]

My Pet Peeve with theses cars is what you have to do if you want to drive with no lights on in the daytime. GM makes it difficult.

I beleve you can disable daytime lights by the switch on left side of dash.Check the owners manual.

[HummerNewbie]

Isn't it just a matter of a little flick of the wrist to the left on the head light knob? I could be wrong but I thought that turned off the DRLs. May not want to have to do it every time you drive it but it is by no means difficult.

[fourfourto]

HummerNewbie


Im beating you to the same answers. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[Sharkster]

Yea, I know where the sensor is and it is not covered... and yea, I also know that I can manually turn the headlights off and leave only the DRLs on. But as far as I understand it, on US cars, when the light's turning knob is set to "auto", the amber DRLs are always on and the headlights turn only on when it's dark, correct?

On my H3, it ALWAYS automatically turns on both (DRL and headlights) whenever I start the engine and the light's turning knob is set to auto.

I don't think that my sensor is malfunctioning... I rather think that it is something that has been changed when the car was imported into Germany. In Germany it is considered non-streetlegal if you drive around with only the parking lights (i.e. DRLs) turned on. You always need to have full headlights or everything turned off at the front of your car in Germany.

[CO Hummer]

At first, I thought this thread was about HIHUMMER. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[HummerNewbie]

Originally posted by fourfourto:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">HummerNewbie


Im beating you to the same answers. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

DAMN IT!!! http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[f5fstop]

Originally posted by Sharkster:
Yea, I know where the sensor is and it is not covered... and yea, I also know that I can manually turn the headlights off and leave only the DRLs on. But as far as I understand it, on US cars, when the light's turning knob is set to "auto", the amber DRLs are always on and the headlights turn only on when it's dark, correct?

On my H3, it ALWAYS automatically turns on both (DRL and headlights) whenever I start the engine and the light's turning knob is set to auto.

I don't think that my sensor is malfunctioning... I rather think that it is something that has been changed when the car was imported into Germany. In Germany it is considered non-streetlegal if you drive around with only the parking lights (i.e. DRLs) turned on. You always need to have full headlights or everything turned off at the front of your car in Germany.

If the sensor was malfuntioning, turing on your headlamps, then the DRLs would not be on, just your park lamps. The DRLs are actually your turn signals (brighter). With DRLs on, turn on a signal and the bulb goes off/on, off/on. With park lamps on, the signals go dim/bright.
So, if the sensor was defective, signaling the BCM to turn on the headlamps, the BCM would turn on the headlamps, but turn off the DRLs and just turn on the park lamps.
If the sensor was doing this, your taillamps would also be on.
So, are your taillamps on? If not, I would say you might be correct and the export model requires the headlamps on.

[alberto]

Sharkster, I think that you are having the same problem of all other european H3: you have DRL light in orange (or amber) - unless your is a Canadian market H3 - not legal in most of Europe (here in Italy for sure), so the dealer has "blind" the light sensor in order to have normal headlights as DRL. I do the same with a 2 Euro coins on mine, until the dealer will made the modification suggested by f5fstop in another thread.

[marin8703]

Does anyone know how, if possible, the auto lights sensor or software can be adjusted so that the lights come on with a little more light. I would like to do this because most of the times while it is raining the lights dont come on even though it gets considerably darker. however lights are supposed to be on when wipers are on. so because of this i was wondering if there is any way that they can be adjusted to be more sensitive.

[Sewie]

You know, I was actually wondering the same thing. Maybe just putting a piece of film or something over the sensor would do the trick.

[Steve - SanJose]

Worth a try.

[Disnydad]

I was a little disappointed with the wipers and rain. With the wifes Caddy SRX, when you turn on the wipers the lights come on 30 seconds later.

[f5fstop]

Must be the week for wipers to be blasted on this forum.

[PARAGON]

Originally posted by Disnydad:
I was a little disappointed with the wipers and rain. With the wifes Caddy SRX, when you turn on the wipers the lights come on 30 seconds later. Why wouldn't you be disappointed that it doesn't have rain-sensing wipers that automatically turn on AND respond with the headlights as well?

[Chip]

If you want to drive with the running lights off during the daytime and if you have the automatic transmission. Turn the auto light switch to off after you have put into gear. They will stay off. If you forget if you have done that or wonder that they are on. Turn the lights on and turn them off again. There is really no way to tell if they are on or not from inside the truck. It drives me nuts driving around with the lights on all the time.

By the way if you are in a US car in Canada, do have to drive with all lights on all the time?

[humdoug]

Originally posted by f5fstop:
Must be the week for wipers to be blasted on this forum.
I was so mad after starting the thread and wiper controversy I took my wipers off!
http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif