Auto headlight issue

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Jan 11, 2026 | 11:29 PM

SLWRNU

Thread Starter

Safety Car

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 4,968

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From: Witness Protection Program Somewhere, USA

2026 Restomod of the Year Finalist

Auto headlight issue

Head lights are on Auto setting so when I start the car (2011 Grand Sport) the headlights turn on. No problem. But after driving outside in bright sunlight for a long time they will not turn off. If I manually turn them off I get the message Headlights Suggested. Shut the car off and when I restart it they're off.
Anyone have any thoughts?

Jan 12, 2026 | 05:23 AM

07MontyRed

Drifting

Joined: Nov 2004

Posts: 1,650

Likes: 269

From: Cape Canaveral Florida

St. Jude Donor '07 thru '26

NCM Lifetime Member

Ambient light sensor on the dash would be my guess. Had to replace mine a few years ago.

Jan 12, 2026 | 08:25 AM

C6ToGo

Safety Car

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 4,590

Likes: 1,669

From: Pearland / Houston Tx

A failing column multi-function switch can also do some funky things.

Jan 12, 2026 | 09:51 AM

hcbph

Safety Car

Joined: Aug 2013

Posts: 4,429

Likes: 605

From: Minneapolis Mn

I've seen the message before after switching from auto to off or manual when coming out of the garage. Hit the reset button on the dash: removes the message. Nothing else here.

Jan 12, 2026 | 01:08 PM

SLWRNU

Thread Starter

Safety Car

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 4,968

Likes: 530

From: Witness Protection Program Somewhere, USA

2026 Restomod of the Year Finalist

Quote:

Originally Posted by 07MontyRed

Ambient light sensor on the dash would be my guess. Had to replace mine a few years ago.

That was my thought also.
Is it a big job to replace it?
DIY??

Jan 12, 2026 | 10:19 PM

lobstah24

Burning Brakes

Joined: May 2019

Posts: 909

Likes: 452

From: North Dakota

Quote:

Originally Posted by 07MontyRed

Ambient light sensor on the dash would be my guess. Had to replace mine a few years ago.

Start here. Mine did the EXACT same thing. I replaced it and voila...works great!

Jan 12, 2026 | 10:31 PM

ValenciaOrange

Pro

Joined: Apr 2020

Posts: 730

Likes: 218

I had this problem for a couple of weeks. Did nothing, and it has not come back. Car is always in garage.

Jan 13, 2026 | 08:04 AM

C6ToGo

Safety Car

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 4,590

Likes: 1,669

From: Pearland / Houston Tx

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLWRNU

That was my thought also.
Is it a big job to replace it?
DIY??

Pop the dash defroster grill out with a pry tool, disconnect and twist out the sensor. BE careful popping out grill...sun takes its toll on them and can crack at the slats (as mine did)