Does anyone know if we or the dealer can adjust the auto headlight sensitivity? I scoured the options in my Uconnect system and the owners manual but didn't see anything. They seem to be overly sensitive on my vehicle. I can be in stop and go traffic on a completely cloudless sunny day and stop under the shadow of a tree and the headlights will come on. Then it takes them a min or 2 to turn off! Kind of annoying because then the dash lights dim when the headlights come on and i cant see the gauges or Uconnect screen because its so bright out!
Auto-headlight sensitivity
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I have noticed similar results. There is no setting to change the sensitivity in UConnect that I can find. However the workaround is to manually change the dash lights to stay on "bright" during the day. Then to dim them again at dusk/night. Hopefully FCA can address this issue with a UConnect software update in the future. They are already working on an update to 360° camera system to address contrast issues between cameras when going from light to dark areas. Hopefully they can address the dash lighting at the same time. Personally I wish the highest (brightest) nighttime setting for the dash lights was brighter. Any previous vehicle I've owned I was able to adjust the dash lights from 0-100%, on the Pacifica the adjustment is more like 0-50%, then the adjustment clicks and locks to 100%. I'd like around 75% brightness.
The dash lights are less bothersome. I'm more worried about all the unnecessary on/off will shorten the bulb life if there is no fix.
No tint on the windshield. I'll see if there is any residual dust on the sensor or something, but the vehicle had 16 miles on it when i purchased it, so i kind of doubt that is the case.Make sure sensor on dash is clean.Sometimes if you have front windows tinted that can effect its sensitivity.A dirty windshield also can effect it alstherwise they may have to replace the sensor.
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I wouldn't be too concerned. I park in a garage at home so the lights kick on every time I pull in. On my previous cars, same thing and I didn't notice any shortened bulb life. Especially with the hids. Our q7 we replaced was almost ten years on its first set of hid bulbs so no worries. Also, the front headlights are simple to change if you have the halogens. I swapped mine out for a set of Wagner 9011s on the advice of others to replace the oem bulb. So really not a big deal having them flick on all different times other than the gauges going dark on you.
Still doesn't change the fact that the shadow of a tree on a sunny day shouldn't be setting off the auto headlights.
Auto headlight sensitivity
With all the settings I can change on my unconnect 8.4 screen you think auto-headlight sensitivity would be one of them. Think this was a big miss by FCA. Can't even get to this in the secret menus. I plan on asking the dealer to see if they can adjust next time I go in but I'll have to wait for more stuff to go wrong because I'm not making a trip just for auto-headlight sensitivity.
With all the settings I can change on my unconnect 8.4 screen you think auto-headlight sensitivity would be one of them. Think this was a big miss by FCA. Can't even get to this in the secret menus. I plan on asking the dealer to see if they can adjust next time I go in but I'll have to wait for more stuff to go wrong because I'm not making a trip just for auto-headlight sensitivity.
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Hi bina12834. I've merged your new thread with your existing thread on the topic. Probably better to bump this one to continue the conversation than start a whole new one.
Are the instrument lights tied to the headlight? On our Odyssey, the interior lights are independent of the headlights. Meaning the headlights can be on but the instruments will be in daytime mode if its bright outside. Or they'll dim when going under a bridge, even if the headlights don't turn on. It has a separate sensor. I thought this was how it worked on all cars today.
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Yes, the instrument lights are tied to the headlights, which is annoying (particularly with auto lights with wipers enabled). You can set independent brightness levels for the Uconnect screen when the headlights are on or off, which helps some. It's not as good as if the lights were truly independent of each other, but it's better than nothing.
Are you sure that what you're seeing isn't the daytime running lights? They can be switched off in the Uconnect settings menus.
We just got our Pacifica last Friday and I have noticed the same thing as you. Based on my previous vehicle and the time of day, the Pacifica will typically kick the headlights on 20-30 minutes earlier than my Toyota Venza would on our drive home from work.
It's mostly annoying for me as the Uconnect screen is rather dim. I turned it off auto brightness adjustment and set the manual one a little brighter. Helps but still annoying.
So just an update. Its been raining all day in Houston. The instrument lights are not tied to the headlights. My lights were on all day while driving and the dash lights were on full bright. But did dim when I went under an overpass and the transition is a bit abrupt, on my other cars its a soft fade to on or dim. Well done Chrysler. Works just like my other cars. Also the fog lights are persistent. They stay on when you push the button. They don't rest to off on a restart. That's nice as well. I was worried that since it was a soft switch it wouldn't remember. On another note, my UConnect did reboot once already and I do feel a bit of a vibration at a stop if the ESS doesn't kick in. Makes me want the ESS to kick in! Loving the car so far. Drives like a Mercedes! Which makes sense since Chrysler was part of MB for a while.
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I noticed this the other day as well. I have the headlights set to "Auto on with wipers", so the headlights were on when it was raining. But it was still fairly bright outside, so the dash lights were still at full brightness. My Cherokee always dims the dash lights when the headlights are on, which leads me to leave "Auto on with wipers" disabled. Glad they improved this for the Pacifica!
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I think if Chrysler took the approach that Mazda took, which is, lights turn off after you turn the car off, regardless which setting the switch is on, then one would not need to put the switch in "auto" to get the same effect. I drive with my parking lights on as they also have DRL lights up front on the CX-9 and when I turn the car off, they go off after a delayed amount of time. On the Pacifica, they do not and give you an anoying audible beep if you left the car with engine off and lights in "parking"
Only reason why I would use the "auto" headlights is the have them automatically turn off when i leave the car. It is 2017... cars that stop themselves should be able to turn the lights off regardless which position they are on!
Only reason why I would use the "auto" headlights is the have them automatically turn off when i leave the car. It is 2017... cars that stop themselves should be able to turn the lights off regardless which position they are on!
I wouldn't credit any of the Pacifica's driving dynamics to being formerly owner by Daimler. Daimler ripped Chrysler apart and pushed the cheapest **** they could produce.
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