also... may seem stupid

[eldoman95]

i know its supposed to turn the headlights on for you, but do you move the little thing over and leave it, or do you slide it over every time you get in. ive just been using the knob, doesnt bother me, just wondering how EXACTLY it works. i know it uses the little sensor on the dash to detect light. thats about it.

[KHE]

The slider sets the time that the lights remain on after the ignition is turned to off.

Set it and forget it.

[adallak]

The slider sets the time that the lights remain on after the ignition is turned to off.

Right, bu the slider turns ON or OFF the twilight sentinel as well.

[Magnum Rockwilder]

Leave the sentinel on. The headlights will come on only when the sun is down. You'll have to turn them on manually if it's raining and not dark.

[sfyr]

Guess it's time to read the manual again. Didn't know it was a timer either.

Now I can keep kindhearted people from flagging me down in the store saying: "Miss, you left your headlights on!"

[adallak]

Guess it's time to read the manual again. Didn't know it was a timer either.

Now I can keep kindhearted people from flagging me down in the store saying: "Miss, you left your headlights on!"

Yep, 0-180 sec delay is available.

[JasonA]

In addition, depending on your model year (by '97 they had it...not sure on '95 or '96), the twilight sentinel will also activate your headlights if your wipers are on for 20 seconds or more.

What's interesting about that system is it won't light the dash unless it thinks it's dark outside. Many times, I'll turn on my headlights before the system would want to. But since the system doesn't think it's dark enough to turn the lights on, it also won't light the dash up...but it's dark enough to make the dash hard to read sometimes. My solution is a very small section of a 1/4" dowel stick. On the rare occassion where it's dark enough outside where I want the lights on, but not dark enough for the system to turn 'em on, I'll just set the little dowel stick on top of the light sensor (it's recessed, so it retains the stick very well) and in a few seconds...we have light!

[davedog]

In addition, depending on your model year (by '97 they had it...not sure on '95 or '96), the twilight sentinel will also activate your headlights if your wipers are on for 20 seconds or more.

What's interesting about that system is it won't light the dash unless it thinks it's dark outside. Many times, I'll turn on my headlights before the system would want to. But since the system doesn't think it's dark enough to turn the lights on, it also won't light the dash up...but it's dark enough to make the dash hard to read sometimes. My solution is a very small section of a 1/4" dowel stick. On the rare occassion where it's dark enough outside where I want the lights on, but not dark enough for the system to turn 'em on, I'll just set the little dowel stick on top of the light sensor (it's recessed, so it retains the stick very well) and in a few seconds...we have light!

that is interesting.....

I have mine set to come on automatically when it gets dark, but if I decide to turn them on manually before the system kicks in, my dash, etc, DOES come on as well, I wonder why they would change this as it seems like a useful thing to have the dash lights come on when you manually turn the lights on.

[JasonA]

Dave,

I understand the concept. If you want to drive with your parking lights on during the day for example, your dash lights are also on...but they don't need to be. This leads to prematurely burning out your bulbs. It also dims the radio's VF display, sometimes to unreadable levels if it's a real bright day.

I embrace the concept. But the threashold is just a bit "too dark" for my tastes...I like to have the lights on sooner than the system does, so I like to manually "turn the dash lights on"...and the only way to do that on a '97 is to fool the computer into thinking it's dark.

[phillydude]

In order to turn on my dash lights before the twilight sentinel turns on the headlamps, I just hit the button for my driving lights. I figure if it's dark enough that I need the dash lights, the driving lights will help with the visibility issue.

[Ranger]

Guess it's time to read the manual again. Didn't know it was a timer either.

Now I can keep kindhearted people from flagging me down in the store saying: "Miss, you left your headlights on!"

That's the fun part. If you time it just right, the lights go off while they are telling you that you left your lights on. You both turn and they are off. Then you just give them an inquisitive look.

Or, you just wiggle your nose as they go out, turn to them, smile, say thank you, and walk away.

[JasonA]

I just tell 'em they'll go off when they get tired.

[chazglenn3]

I think I need a new photo sensor. In the daylight, when raining for example and the wipers are on and they turn the headlights on (yes the '96 has this feature), the dash lights do come on in my car and the radio and climate controls become unreadable. At least I can think of nothing other than the photo sensor to cause this. Also, at times the headlights will be on in bright sunny weather. Turning off the twilight sentinel has no effect on the lights, they keep right on shining. I have to turn the ignition off for a minute or so, and start the car back up to get the lights to cut off.

Charles

[eldoman95]

95 has the feature too. went to edmunds to find out exactly what my car has, cause caddys have soo much! and in 95 i quote,

whats new for 95?

northstar v8 power is increased. electronic chassis controls now evaluate steering angle when deciding what to do with the Road Sensing Suspension, traction control and ABS. Styling is slightly revised front and rear. headlights come on automaticly when winshield wipers are activated.

[adallak]

Also, at times the headlights will be on in bright sunny weather. Turning off the twilight sentinel has no effect on the lights, they keep right on shining. I have to turn the ignition off for a minute or so, and start the car back up to get the lights to cut off.

Charles,

It does not sound like a bad sensor. It's rather a BCM problem. Besides, are you sure the sensor was not covered with somethig?

[chazglenn3]

No, it is not covered. 90% of the time it works fine. Another issue I think I have is the owners manual says the courtesy lights only come on when it is dark outside and press the RKE button. My lights come on every time I unlock the door. Isn't this tied into the photo sensor also? I called the dealer to get a price on one and it was $51 and in stock, which leads me to believe they must fail often enough for them to stock the part.

[adallak]

The sensor is a simple photodiode. It cannot fail. Something wrong with wiring, connectors and BCM. Any codes?

[chazglenn3]

Bummer...I was hoping for an easy fix. No codes. At least the lights work, so I may just have to live with the schizophrenic (sp?) behavior.

[adallak]

If you remove the defroster grill you'll see the sentinel sensor as well as the so called sun load resistor which is responsible for the activation threshold. You might want to play a little bit with connectors or even the mentioned resistor.

[chazglenn3]

Can't hurt...I will try that. Thanks!

[adallak]

BTW, there is ( I am sure you know it) a switch using which you can turn the lights on or off manually. The switch is parallel to the sentinel circuit so it bypasses the latter. Are you sure it was OFF during strange behavior of the sentinel?

[Ranger]

Adallak,

I thought the sun load sensor was strictly for the A/C system.

[adallak]

Adallak,

I thought the sun load sensor was strictly for the A/C system.

Really? Let me check it out.

[adallak]

Yep, Ranger is correct - the sun load sensor is in AC circuit.

Well the simptoms discribed suggest photocell test. Charles if you do not have FSM I can guide you thru the tests using my manual. I think it should be close.

[chazglenn3]

I have a FSM, I'll look for the tests. The headlight switch was off when it was acting weird. As look as the tests don't require special equipment I should be okay

Charles