Hi,
I share your issue about the automatic light control issues.
This is a copy of an email I sent to Vauxhall and their reply.
I have read several posts on this topic. Perhaps if more owners e mailed Vauxhall direct they might come up with a solution to this problem.
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Hi,
I wondered if you could advise me with regard to a problem I am having with my new Vauxhall Astra, registration number YJ16 BHH. Purchased from Evans Hallshaw, Horsforth, Leeds,
West Yorkshire, on the 25th July 2016. It has currently 2,000 miles on the clock.
The problem relates to the day and night light sensor or it's associated electronics.
The interior dashboard and infotainment system are illuminated via this sensor which detects the degree of outside light density and switches the lighting to day or night mode. My car has demonstrated a fault with this
unit ever since I have owned it. I can be driving along a clear road in bright sunlight and if I drive it beneath a tree for example it will go from daylight to night mode in an instant but then when I drive back into broad daylight the screen and dashboard
illumination remains in night time mode for the rest of the journey,
(yesterday for a further 200 miles in bright sunshine in night time mode!), blacking out the screens. If the sun is behind me it reflects on the dashboard and I can't see the digital speed indication which I use all the
time. Initially I was able to rectify this problem by stopping the car, removing the ignition key, opening the drivers door, locking the car with the key, unlocking the car , opening the door and then starting the ignition. This performance seemed to re set
everything but that sequence of events no longer works and the dashboard lights and infotainment system are almost always in night time mode, this is without having the light switch set in automatic lighting mode otherwise I would be driving in bright sunshine
with the dipped headlights illuminated!
I have now set the infotainment system to daylight mode but the dashboard light still remains dimmed out. Then when I drive at night I have to re set the infotainment to night time mode to stop the dazzling from that unit
- a right performance!
I have had my vehicle to the dealers twice about this problem and they have put it on their diagnostics and sent the result to yourselves and have returned the vehicle saying that no problem could be found. The circumstances
I have described above are not an uncommon problem with the Astra and other Vauxhall models and was even present on the J series Astra according to Astra owners forums I have read.
Can you advise me what I need to do to resolve this issue as I find it quite annoying and dangerous as I can't clearly see what speed I am doing when in night time mode during broad daylight.
Is there a software update available or one in the pipeline or do you think my vehicle needs a new light sensor?
You advise would be appreciated.
Regards,
Paul Fletcher
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REPLY
Dear Mr Fletcher
I write in reference to your Vauxhall Astra registration number YJ16 BHH.
I am sorry to hear of your recent experience regarding your vehicle and can understand your reasons for contacting us.
Our technical team have confirmed the issues experienced will be resolved by a new software update.
Regrettably we do not have an exact date for the release of the software update, however after speaking to our internal technical team we anticipate the software will be released next year.
The dealership will be made aware once the update has been released, from there they will be able to book the vehicle in for this to be completed.
I understand this may not have been the response you had hoped for and apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Once again thank you for contacting Vauxhall Motors and allowing us the opportunity to assist.
Kind Regards
Rebekah Thompson
Infotainment Agent
This email has been sent from General Motors Limited
Registered in England 01682792
Registered Office : Griffin House, Osbourne Road, Luton, Beds, LU1 3YT, Telephone: 0844 369 0112
VAT Number 382 1581 51