Changing "auto" headlight sensor sensitivity

rodney1 · 05-23-2006, 06:04 PM

I'd like to adjust the sensitivity of the headlight sensor....

In my '06 Prius, if I have the headlight switch in "auto", they don't go off automatically when I think they should.

The Owner's Manual (p. 110) says:

Position 3 ("AUTO") ... They automatically turn on or off depending
on the darkness of the surroundings (*)
(*) The sensitivity can be changed. Ask your Toyota dealer for details.
The automatic light control sensor is on the top of the driver's side
instrument panel.

I certainly see that sensor, and nothing is blocking or obscuring it, but even in full, bright daylight, if I have the switch on "auto", the lights never go off. (The headlight indicator icon stays on, and the lights are on.)

So is changing that sensitivity something I can do myself if I just find the right magic screen on the display? I've hunted here, but can't find anything about doing this.

-- Rodney

wrprice · 05-23-2006, 06:15 PM

If your car was purchased in the U.S., then it does NOT have AUTO headlights. Are you mistaking the climate control's sun sensor for the headlight sensor?

TheForce · 05-23-2006, 06:18 PM

Are you sure you have auto headlights? I dont know anyone here in the states that have them. I could be wrong.

Do you have the "Auto" on your headlight stalk? If you do thats beyond what I know. If you dont you do not have auto headlights. AFAIK only US and maybe a few other places dont have the auto headlights.

rodney1 · 05-23-2006, 06:21 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(wrprice @ May 23 2006, 03:15 PM) [snapback]259955[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

If your car was purchased in the U.S., then it does NOT have AUTO headlights. Are you mistaking the climate control's sun sensor for the headlight sensor?
[/b]

1. Yes, I bought the car in the U.S. But the Owner's Manual makes no distinction about country when it talks about the headlight switch and sensor. It does make such country distinctions elsewhere, I think.

2. I have three settings on the headlight switch. If #3 is not AUTO, what is it?

2. I have two sensors in the top left corner of the dashboard. One concave, one convex. Isn't one of those (the convex one, I think), the headlight sensor?

-- Rodney

IsrAmeriPrius · 05-23-2006, 06:29 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(rodney1 @ May 23 2006, 03:21 PM) [snapback]259959[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

2. I have three settings on the headlight switch. If #3 is not AUTO, what is it?[/b]

The three positions are: Off, Parking Lights, Headlights.

Quote:

2. I have two sensors in the top left corner of the dashboard. One concave, one convex. Isn't one of those (the convex one, I think), the headlight sensor?[/b]

The concave spot is the empty space where the sensor would be located if the car were equipped with auto headlights. If you were to look at a car which is equipped with automatic headlights (i.e., in Canada), you will see two convex sensors.

**Tideland Prius** · 05-23-2006, 11:27 PM

Yep. The first is "OFF", the 2nd is a dot and the third is the "headlight" symbol. If you had auto headlights, there'll be a 4th spot labelled "AUTO"

Anything automatic will have an "AUTO" label... windows, lights, wipers, a/c etc.

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05-23-2006, 06:04 PM	#1
rodney1 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 12 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I'd like to adjust the sensitivity of the headlight sensor.... In my '06 Prius, if I have the headlight switch in "auto", they don't go off automatically when I think they should. The Owner's Manual (p. 110) says: Position 3 ("AUTO") ... They automatically turn on or off depending on the darkness of the surroundings () () The sensitivity can be changed. Ask your Toyota dealer for details. The automatic light control sensor is on the top of the driver's side instrument panel. I certainly see that sensor, and nothing is blocking or obscuring it, but even in full, bright daylight, if I have the switch on "auto", the lights never go off. (The headlight indicator icon stays on, and the lights are on.) So is changing that sensitivity something I can do myself if I just find the right magic screen on the display? I've hunted here, but can't find anything about doing this. -- Rodney

05-23-2006, 06:15 PM	#2
wrprice Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 137 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	If your car was purchased in the U.S., then it does NOT have AUTO headlights. Are you mistaking the climate control's sun sensor for the headlight sensor?

05-23-2006, 06:18 PM	#3
TheForce I Plug-In My Prius Join Date: May 2005 Location: Wheelersburg, Ohio Posts: 2,748 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #7 Thanks: 6 Thanked 170 Times in 124 Posts Friends: 22	Are you sure you have auto headlights? I dont know anyone here in the states that have them. I could be wrong. Do you have the "Auto" on your headlight stalk? If you do thats beyond what I know. If you dont you do not have auto headlights. AFAIK only US and maybe a few other places dont have the auto headlights.

05-23-2006, 11:27 PM	#6
Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 19,633 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 229 Thanked 346 Times in 245 Posts Friends: 23	Yep. The first is "OFF", the 2nd is a dot and the third is the "headlight" symbol. If you had auto headlights, there'll be a 4th spot labelled "AUTO" Anything automatic will have an "AUTO" label... windows, lights, wipers, a/c etc.