Head unit is dim

I've noticed lately when I turn on the 'running lights' during dusk type hours the
head unit illumination gets dim. If I turn off the 'running lights' or fully turn on
the headlights it gets bright. Backing off again to the 'running lights' it goes dim
again. Today, while dim, it went bright again after a bit of a turn. Odd. Anybody
seen anything like this?

 

Did you go under an overpass? There is an ambient light sensor at the front, right of the dash. Try covering it for a few minutes to see what effect it may have on your lights.

 

The dash dims when the head lights are on. There is a setting in the head unit to disable it. I think it is called “daylight mode”. Stupid design IMHO.

 

Is the ambient light sensor new in 2021? I do not think I have one on my 2020

 

I wondered if it was some ambient light setting - or some sensor I could turn off.
To the manual I go...

 

Have you tried looking on the dash, or in the Owner's Manual (OM)? It's called 'Headlight Control Sensor' in my OM but you won't find it in the index. Review the headlight section of your OM carefully.

 

My 2017 has the sensor, so yours should too. It's so damn annoying while driving under a bunch of overpasses.

 

If I have an ambient light sensor, it is useless when the headlights are on during the daytime. I've never noticed anything when driving under overpasses, but I definitely notice that I can barely read my display when driving with the headlights on during the daytime. This is happens when driving in low light weather where the lights are on to be seen rather to see.