PSA Dash ducks causing auto dimming issue on dash lights

[steffen707]

I've always had my lights on "auto" and the right rocker just below the 2nd detent.

Lately I'll be driving during the day, the instrument cluster and radio are on daytime mode and then it switches to night mode (dash lights dim) while the sun is out.

Is there a light sensor that I'm blocking making the radio think it's dark out?

THERE SURE IS!

Right under my newest "mummy duck" is a little round nub, when that's blocked, the car often thinks it's daytime, but sometimes thinks it's night when not enough light comes through the duck!

Watch out for dash ducks blocking your light sensor!

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[AstroZombie]

you can turn the light brightness level up to so its on all the time and dim it at night then you'll never notice. Its just under the headlight dial on the left. one for dash and one for ambient footwell lights.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I've always had my lights on "auto" and the right rocker just below the 2nd detent.

Lately I'll be driving during the day, the instrument cluster and radio are on daytime mode and then it switches to night mode (dash lights dim) while the sun is out.

Is there a light sensor that I'm blocking making the radio think it's dark out?

THERE SURE IS!

Right under my newest "mummy duck" is a little round nub, when that's blocked, the car often thinks it's daytime, but sometimes thinks it's night when not enough light comes through the duck!

Watch out for dash ducks blocking your light sensor!

Hats also do that - or the tag that's on your ducks. Best to not keep your ducks in a row.......
I could not figure out what the heck was up with my lights - like magic when I put my hat back on, the lights went off and the dash went bright again.
But the worst part of it all - I knew danged well that sensor was there. I knew it was because every Jeep we've had for the last more than a decade have had that sensor.

 

[GEETCH]

I've always had my lights on "auto" and the right rocker just below the 2nd detent.

Lately I'll be driving during the day, the instrument cluster and radio are on daytime mode and then it switches to night mode (dash lights dim) while the sun is out.

Is there a light sensor that I'm blocking making the radio think it's dark out?

THERE SURE IS!

Right under my newest "mummy duck" is a little round nub, when that's blocked, the car often thinks it's daytime, but sometimes thinks it's night when not enough light comes through the duck!

Watch out for dash ducks blocking your light sensor!

I found that nub first week I threw my hat on the dash and covered it I was like what the hell? Moved the hat and had the ah hah moment ?

 

[Proximo]

Welcome back @steffen707 I haven't seen any posts from you in, what seems like, a couple years. Hope all is well sir, you've been missed

 

[steffen707]

Welcome back @steffen707 I haven't seen any posts from you in, what seems like, a couple years. Hope all is well sir, you've been missed

Hey thanks @Proximo . It probably has been a year or two. I've been focusing my online foruming to woodworking and lawn care mostly.

Still love Gladys, haven't really done any mods except for dropping a ladder on my hood at deer camp, put a nice dent on there, lol.

Glad to see you and @ShadowsPapa are keeping things in check!

 

[Raven65]

Well… yeah. Ambient light sensors like the one on the Gladiator dash have been around since the mid/late 90’s (if not before). My 87-yr-old mother’s 1999 Buick LeSabre has one! ? If you cover/block it, the headlights will come on.

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