Thinking about purchasing a 2006 cobalt. The instrument lighting does not turn on even after turning the brightness all the way up. The dealer states that the instrument lighting only comes on at night from a sensor. After closing my hands around the gauges and adjusting the brightness knob again, there was still no light. Is the dealer telling the truth? It seems a bit odd to me that the car would sense when it is appropriate to turn on the lighting.
Purchasing a 2006 Cobalt LT 4 dr with electrical issues
- Thread starter FT980
- Start date
Yes they are correct. You can test it by placing a pad of paper or jacket over the little clear dome on the dash. Give it a minute or two and the dash lights will turn on. Parking somewhere shady works too.
roosterk0031
Full Access Member
Crazy sensor, almost seems like at times it uses the clock as well as the light sensor, foggy mornings I cover it with a scrap of paper so I don't need to worry about leaving the lights on.
---------- Post added at 06:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:05 PM ----------
Just to clarify the little plastic bulb is on the top of the dash 2-3" from the windshield is the sensor.
---------- Post added at 06:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:05 PM ----------
Just to clarify the little plastic bulb is on the top of the dash 2-3" from the windshield is the sensor.
The Cobalt has auto lights, I guess if it's real foggy you might want the headlamps on but 07-10 uses the highs as DRL.
roosterk0031
Full Access Member
The radio lights actually get brighter during the day time. That's how I can tell if it headlights or DRL's. Some mornings even when really bright it won't switch over to DRL so it's hard to see the radio clock.
Yeah when it's foggy I want my taillights on so I do the paper trick. (09 xfe coupe)
Yeah when it's foggy I want my taillights on so I do the paper trick. (09 xfe coupe)
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The Other Andy
Junior Member
I hate the auto dash lights in these things. Never ever have I seen a car so picky about when it turns them on. If you turn the headlights on yourself (override auto), then the dash lights should come on too, but noooo, we drivers aren't responsible enough to determine when the dash lights come on.
Passed up a potentially good sedan at a great price because I thought it had a massive electrical issue.
Passed up a potentially good sedan at a great price because I thought it had a massive electrical issue.