Ambient light sensor? How to replace it?

[ScottyBoy]

So about a month or so ago, my headlights started acting up on my 01 Suburban. Instead of turning on automatically at night, they have been turning on EVERY time I start my truck, nite or day. So I'm figuring that the light sensor on top my dash is bad. I went to the dealer and asked them, nobody knows shit over there(supposedly they've NEVER had a truck come in with thais same problem) or at least what the guy told me. He offered to diagnose it for $95 an hour with a one hour minimum. But the part was only $13. So I figured it would be stupid to pay $95 for them to "verify" that a $13 part is bad. I just went ahead and bought the dam light sensor. Now how the hell do I get the dash apart to change it? Any body ever done this before?

 

[Alljackedup408]

hopefully its just the sensor.. all tho it could be a loose connection, and or a bad bcm. The BCM takes the info from the ambient sensor and controls the lights from there. Personally ive never changed a sensor before... but ive done condensers and stuff under the dash of suburbans... theres alotta stuff you have to take off to change it... i do believe. Maybe try taking the radio out and see if you cant get to it through there. thats a nice hole to work with.

 

[ScottyBoy]

Yeah, I hope it is just the sensor. If not, I'm only out 13 bucks . I'm off tomorrow, I'll try and give it a go and see if I can squeeze my fat ass hand up in there.

 

[Alljackedup408]

let us know!

 

[ScottyBoy]

Ok, I got to it today, and managed to get the sensor changed out. It turns out I was right, it was just just the sensor, as my lights are now working like they should. I tried to reach it thru the radio cavity, but theres too much ductwork behind the radio, I couldn't fit my hand thru there. I ended up having to undo the whole top section of the dash and lift it up so I could get to the sensor. It took maybe about an hour to get it all done and put back together. I'm just glad my lights are finally working again.

 

[Bigredmariner]

Sweet man, congrats. Sounds like a real PITA but at least it's fixed and the best part is, only $13.

 

[ScottyBoy]

Actually it wasn't that hard. Maybe I should have took pictures and did a write up on it. Once you have the cluster/radio bezel off, you'll see some 7mm screws around the perimeter of the opening. These secure the top of the dash to the inner dash or frame. then pop each fuse panel cover off the two sides by each door, there 2 philips screws on each side, take those out. Then you have to pop out the 2 AC vents over the glove box and there is a screw behind each of those. Then you look up into each duct opening with a flashlight and you'll see how the "grab bar" over the air bag is attached. It like a clip on each side, just squeeze the clip down while pulling the bar out (squeeze the clip one each end of the bar, one up in each vent opening) and the whole bar will pop right off. Then all thats left is the two windsheild pillar post covers or trim, just pop those off. Now the whole entire top of the dash will lift up and you can actually disconnect the light sensor and take the dash out if youe wish, but I just lifted it up to get the sensor swapped out. At least now I know how to get it out, because I'd eventually like to repaint it with some good vinyl dye or paint as I have a few knicks and scratches in it. Theres also a few hooks or tabs along the windsheild that it hooks onto, they are a bit tricky trying to get the dash lined up correctly when putting it back in. It would help a lot if you had two people (one in each front seat) doing it. I was leaning over my center console trying to reach the whole dash by myself getting it to pop in straight. I eventually got it back in, like I said before, the whole job start to finish didn't even take an hour and that included me stopping to go back inside to get a drink.

 

[Alljackedup408]

good deal man!!

 

[Zembonez]

Ok, I got to it today, and managed to get the sensor changed out. It turns out I was right, it was just just the sensor, as my lights are now working like they should. I tried to reach it thru the radio cavity, but theres too much ductwork behind the radio, I couldn't fit my hand thru there. I ended up having to undo the whole top section of the dash and lift it up so I could get to the sensor. It took maybe about an hour to get it all done and put back together. I'm just glad my lights are finally working again.

I guess it could have been worse. Good deal that you got it fixed. It was cheap too! That's always good.

 

[ScottyBoy]

I guess it could have been worse. Good deal that you got it fixed. It was cheap too! That's always good.

YES! Cheaper is always better, well almost better. It not better if you sacrifice quality. But I'm glad I got it fixed for only 13 bucks and didn't have to shell out the $100 the dealer wanted just to diagnose it. Thats more money for MODS!!! Speaking of which, I just got a airdam/front valance for a z71 tahoe (looks just like Jenna's) and once I get some nice 3.5 inch lights to put in the light pockets then the air dam will go on. No sense in me installing it now with no lights in it