VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1990-Current 2008 Impala Question

I like my Impala, but one thing drives me nuts. On a beautiful sunny morning, around 6:30 to 7:00 am, I cannot see the time or the radio station displayed because it has dimmed automatically. I have my display lights turned all the way up to the where the dome light goes on and then I back it off so the dome light is off. About an hour into the ride the sensor changes its mind and the display is readable again. Is there a fix to this engineering wonder, or do I have to start wearing a watch again? Is there a sensor that I can cover up with gum or duck tape? Both the dealership and Chevrolet can't help me.

The radio light dims when the dash lights are on along with the head lights. Try manually turning off the dash lights or head lights.

Chevgene, thanks for the tip. I'll try it as soon as the sun shows up. Hawkeye

Well, the sun was shining this morning and I tried your suggestion. It did not change anything. Got a plan "B"?

Covering the sensor would be counter productive. The sensor is turning the lights on, and dimming the clock when it senses a lack of light. Is it possible that the windows are tinted dark, and sun isn't hitting the sensor until you turn east into it? Otherwise, I'd have them looking at the sensor. Are the full set of lights on as well, and the sensor changing is shutting all of them off... or is it just the clock?

What does it say in the owner's manual about this feature?

In full sun and facing any direction with the automatic headlight switch in the on position, the amber directional lights and tailights are on. This does not change when I turn the auto light switch to any other position. At night with the auto light switch in the on postion, the headlights and amber lights as well as the tailights are on. At night all the dash lights are the same brightness including the radio/clock display.
To answer JYD reply, the manual does not say anything about the radio/clock display dimming or any adjustments that can be made. It does talk about something called "Parade Dimming". Here is what they say in the manual: "The instrument panel has an added feature called parade mode. It automatically prohibits the dimming of the instrument panel displays during the daylight while the headlamps are on so that you will still be able to see the displays."
Now, when is states "panel displays" does that mean the radio display too, or just the Instrument Panel Cluster (speeomter/odomter/gear position/compass)? When I look under the Audio System section, there is no mention of the display brightness or any adjustments that can be made.

You may want to try asking your question on this forum. A great bunch of knowledgable guys as well, and there is a little more interest in the new stuff... or sell it and get a 1951!

http://www.chevytalk.org/fusionbb/showforum.php?fid/49/keyword/1997-2007_Chevys/

I believe you will find that the radio display should do the same as the dash lights, it sounds like you may have a problem because the tail lights should not be on with the daytime running lamps (DLR). Most GM's the DLR will not be on if it is in park, or the parking brake on. So you might try that and see if the display gets brighter.