Automatic headlights come on too easily?

any4xx · Apr 3, 2022

Guessing it’s not just me. or maybe it is…. My ‘14 Laramie has the automatic headlights and they come on if I drive through shaded areas. I’ve got other vehicles with this feature and none are as sensitive as this truck is. It can be high-noon in the Arizona sunshine and if I stop under an overpass the headlights come on. If I drive past a row of trees and am in their shadow the headlights come on. If I start driving in the dark the headlights will come on and go off several times after sunrise before they finally stay on.

Is this how they all work or has my sun load sensor possibly gone bad? Is there possibly another sensor that needs to be addressed?

This “feature” really drives me crazy. Help?

OC455 · Apr 3, 2022

Has the sensor been cleaned off?

audiophile · Apr 3, 2022

Mine is really sensitive as well. I have heard this from many RAM owners.

Bigskyroadglide · Apr 3, 2022

My 14 is the same way, I actually like it and think the system is working as designed

any4xx · Apr 3, 2022

OC455 said:
Has the sensor been cleaned off?

Sensor is clean. I’m tempted to replace it just to see if it makes a difference.

KLook · Apr 3, 2022

Mine is the same, 2014 also.

Flip-er · Apr 3, 2022

2013 big horn, mine does same, I like it tho

bigdodge · Apr 3, 2022

It can be changed in alphaobd. That's just the way they are

any4xx · Apr 3, 2022

bigdodge said:
It can be changed in alphaobd. That's just the way they are

Do you happen to know where to find the sensitivity setting? I have used the Alpha OBD to change my TPMS and a few other settings already.

Socalramfan · Apr 3, 2022

As mentioned, they're working properly. That’s just how it was designed.

Personally I don’t use, nor like the ‘auto’ function.

Not for what they do, great idea….. but for what they not do, and the drivers behind them…….. the rear lights don’t illuminate.

Can’t tell you how many people I see on a daily basis driving along at night with the dash and headlights on and NO tail lights. Great way to run up on someone unknowingly as they’re puttin‘ along.

Not to mention the drivers being oblivious to anything else.

Drive Safe and turn your F#$&ing lights on a night :waytogo:

crash68 · Apr 3, 2022

Socalramfan said:
Not for what they do, great idea….. but for what they not do, and the drivers behind them…….. the rear lights don’t illuminate.

Can’t tell you how many people I see on a daily basis driving along at night with the dash and headlights on and NO tail lights. Great way to run up on someone unknowingly as they’re puttin‘ along.

The automatic headlights on all manufacturer of vehicles turn on the tail lights also. What your seeing is people who are driving along with just their Daytime Running Lights on, those do not turn the rear taillights on. Or their rear taillights are not working. I see a surprising number of vehicles who's brake lights don't work, not too far of a stretch that the running lights don't work either.

Socalramfan · Apr 3, 2022

crash68 said:
The automatic headlights on all manufacturer of vehicles turn on the tail lights also. What your seeing is people who are driving along with just their Daytime Running Lights on, those do not turn the rear taillights on. Or their rear taillights are not working. I see a surprising number of vehicles who's brake lights don't work, not too far of a stretch that the running lights don't work either.

I stand corrected. Yes, I meant the DRL’s. :waytogo:

GTyankee · Apr 4, 2022

I run with my headlights & tail lights when ever my ignition is on
The light switch is on AUTO & the Ambient Light Sensor is covered

In my area there are areas that are considered accident zones, those areas are posted 24 hour headlight zone

also, when i am working, State & Federal Commercial DMV rules mandate that our head lights Shall be on.
I ESC0RT semi trucks that are hauling extra wide loads

BossHogg · Apr 4, 2022

It isn't the ambient light sensor that is out of wack, it simply reports back a value that equates to the current ambient light level. The issue is the hysteresis and the rate of light change. If you drive into a tunnel, the change in ambient light is drastic compared to driving in the later afternoon into the evening. The RAM engineers need to do better and developed more sophisticated hysteresis algorithms.

Rlaf75 · Apr 4, 2022

I could be mistaken but I thought on my 11 Bighorn there was a sensitivity setting for the automatic headlights. It's been awhile since I've had that truck so again I could be mistaken

HAL9001 · Apr 4, 2022

I don't mind the headlights turning on when it's still light out but what I do mind is the infotainment backlight dimming way too dark as a result, especially while I'm trying to use Google Maps. I then need to manually turn the backlight back up.

CBXer6 · Apr 4, 2022

This is why I NEVER use automatic head lights. They do not work as well as most people think they do. Out Toyota Highlander would dim the dash lights when we went under an overpass without having the headlights on. And the headlights do not come on when you turn the wipers on. Which you are suppose to do in most states.

Skyjockey · Apr 4, 2022

HAL9001 said:
I don't mind the headlights turning on when it's still light out but what I do mind is the infotainment backlight dimming way too dark as a result, especially while I'm trying to use Google Maps. I then need to manually turn the backlight back up.

In your radio settings there is a way to stop this from happening. I think it was call "parade" mode

Marshall · Apr 4, 2022

Socalramfan said:
As mentioned, they're working properly. That’s just how it was designed.

Personally I don’t use, nor like the ‘auto’ function.

Not for what they do, great idea….. but for what they not do, and the drivers behind them…….. the rear lights don’t illuminate.

Can’t tell you how many people I see on a daily basis driving along at night with the dash and headlights on and NO tail lights. Great way to run up on someone unknowingly as they’re puttin‘ along.

Not to mention the drivers being oblivious to anything else.

Drive Safe and turn your F#$&ing lights on a night

I think you are mixing up daytime driving lights, head lights come on low, but not the tail lights.
But auto head lights , tail lights and head lights come one auto, same as if you turned them on yourself.
I like them, but backing out of the garage during the day, the back up camera thinks it is night, so can't see too much as it is on night mode. Maybe if I turned dash lights up, but can't be bothered.
Mine is also a 14

P.S. I read more and see you get this, BTW way back in the stone age, I had a 67 or 68 Imperial that did this, when it worked, Caddy did in the 1950's or 60's did this as well, Dad had one, may have been the "61, he had a few.

bigdodge · Apr 4, 2022

Automatic headlights come on too easily?

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