2009 KK Sun Sensor

[Hec In Omaha]

Howdy All,

I was wondering if anyone out there has messed with the Sun Sensor on the dash that controls automatically turning on the headlights in low light conditions. Our 2009 KK "Quackers" has the Auto Headlight feature and I have noticed that there are days where I feel the lights should be on and they aren't. For example this morning it was a bit foggy and a bit dark and the headlights did not come one. They always come on at night. I don't know if the light sensitivity of the sensor can be adjusted or not. I am contemplating popping the sensor out and applying a light coat of black spray paint to sensor. This would trick the sensor into thinking it was darker and therefore turning on the head lights.

What do you guys think?


Hec

 

[JeepLibertyKK]

That’s one solution, as long as you’re okay that you might end up driving around with your headlights on all the time.

 

[Luke]

I’m not familiar with what the sensor looks like … but maybe try some tint film first?

 

[Hec In Omaha]

I don’t think tint film will work. Wrapping film around a hemisphere shaped sensor would be impossible. Maybe a dusting of spray tint would do it.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Hec In Omaha]

Update: Yesterday I removed the Sun Sensor to prep it for a light dusting of black spray paint. The Sun Sensor is super easy to remove. You can work it up and out using a trim tool, small flat blade screw driver etc. Once I had it out and wire harness unplugged, I slipped a small flat blade screwdriver between a couple of wires to keep the wire harness from falling back through the hole. I noticed the Sun Sensor was translucent enough that I could see the electronics inside. I think its lens color has faded. I also noticed that Sun Sensors listed on eBay appeared to be darker. So I masked the sensor with painters tape and sprayed a light dusting of paint on it. I let it dry and reinstalled it.
Now the head lights turn on at dusk and dawn. They also turn off when they are supposed to.
6 am - lights on
7 am - lights on
7:30 - lights on
8:00 - lights off!
Perfect! .
Before they would only turn on at night.

Before

You must be registered for see images attach

Pop it up to remove

You must be registered for see images attach

Screw driver inserted between two wires so the harness can’t fall through the hole.

You must be registered for see images attach

Painted and placed in a socket to dry

You must be registered for see images attach

Done!

You must be registered for see images attach

My daughter drives a county hwy to and from school. Now I feel better that her lights will be on when they should be and she can see and be seen!

 

[Luke]

Noice!