Intellibeam automatic highbeam problems

G$$Money · March 27, 2021

Just looking to see if anyone else is having the problems I am with my automatic highbeams in my 2020 AT4. Since taking delivery of the truck the intellibeam system has been malfunctioning. At first it was all the safety systems including the lane keep, the automatic cruise control and the forward collision detection. After multiple trips to dealer (as always, unable to duplicate problems) they eventually replaced the forward facing camera at the suggestion of a system engineer from GM and that seemed fix all the problems except the intellibeam. The system sometimes will not engage even though all requirements are met. Sometimes it will be on and then just shut itself off randomly then will not turn on anymore during the drive with switch. It will randomly then just reactivate itself and turn on and off with no intervention from me. To be clear, I am not saying the highbeams are turning on and off, I mean the actual intellibeam system as indicated by the headlight symbol with the "A" in it on the DIC. When the system is on, the highbeams most of the time will work 100% as expected activating and deactivating when appropriate, but then will just get locked on and will not shut off the highbeams with approaching vehicles or when someone is in front of me. Sometimes they will cycle on and off and be flashing the highbeams causing people to think i am flashing at them and they pull over. When this is occurring I am unable to turn the system off with the switch. It has been to dealer countless times and they had my truck for 2 weeks once with the shop foreman taking it home and driving it every night and they say they were unable to duplicate it, but the day I picked it up it was doing it so I am not sure why they can not duplicate it. GM engineers have been involved with no luck. I have countless videos of they system malfunctioning and have been told that the videos mean nothing unless it happens when they check the vehicle and are able to catch data with a recorder to find the problem. But they do admit the videos show the system not working as designed. I have read other posts of the same problem and people said the dealer replaced the ambient light sensor on the dash and it was fixed but I replaced the sensor with no change. I have had automatic high been in all 5 of my vehicles since 2007 so I fully understand how they work. If anyone else has had this issue or currently has it please let me know what the fix was/is. At this point I am not even bringing it back to the dealer because they say they are unable to duplicate everytime and its a huge waste of my time and a huge inconvenience. I do report it everytime it is in for other services though. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Edited March 27, 2021 by G$$Money
Addition

Rocz3cqg · March 27, 2021

Since you had the windshield camera replaced, the dealership probably downloaded the latest calibration data for the module. But you should ask to ensure they did. If I remember correctly, once the camera was replaced the tech had to drive the vehicle for a few miles with the computer connected to step thru some procedural steps to calibrate the camera. Then it took a few days for the system to calibrate itself for proper operation. Have them check for proper alignment of the camera.

G$$Money · March 27, 2021

It was replaced with the newest model and updated to the latest software provided directly by the GM tech. It was a version the dealer didn't even have access to yet. And it has been calibrated at least 3 times since attempting to correct the issue with no luck. But thanks for the suggestions.

calgator73 · March 27, 2021

I had some initial issues with mine where it seemed to be a little late in switching back to low beam with on-coming traffic. After a few miles it stabilized and seems to react based on speed, ambient light and the presence of vehicles in front. The way yours is acting seems to me like it's the turn signal switch itself or maybe the module it communicates with. The system is acting like it's getting commands to turn it on and off? That comes from the button on the stalk right? Maybe a ground issue (old style seemed to be full of issues in that way)? Maybe a BCM?

Not sure about the architecture of this system but it seems like the BCM is the hub...it responds to user inputs and creates outputs. It responds to sensor inputs and creates similar outputs. Make sense?

Here's a list of modules I was able to dig up

ECM, BCM, EBCM, SDM, TCM, ECC (HVAC), EPS, HPCM, IPC, and Radio

Best of luck

G$$Money · March 27, 2021

Here are some of the 20 plus videos of it happening. I believe it is one of the 2 control modules that control the system since the camera and light sensor have been replaced. Doubt it's the multi-function switch as you can see in the videos, sometimes the high beams either don't turn on or off when it should but the intellibeam system does stay activated. The dealer won't replace the control module unless they can duplicate the problem themselves and trace it to a control module.

Link to video

Link to another video

Link to yet another video

GN2018 · March 28, 2021

16 hours ago, G$$Money said:

The dealer won't replace the control module unless they can duplicate the problem themselves and trace it to a control module.

Maybe you need to start talking to them about the lemon law and returning the truck. Of course you don’t want to have to actually do that, but maybe they’ll be more inclined to try a few more things like replacing some control modules.

Also, before it gets too much further into summer, see if you can get it to happen before the dealer closes on the days they stay open late, drive in there while it’s happening. That “we can’t duplicate the issue” is BS. Alternatively, have them give you a truck for a week while they drive yours. Still a pain, but not too much of an inconvenience as long as you have transportation.

Dhamilton07 · January 19, 2023

@G$$Money

did you ever find a resolution? My truck does the same in regards to turning on or off randomly on its own.

G$$Money · January 19, 2023

Lol.. no.. they have replaced every module of the system with no change. They even replaced the camera 3 times. I worked daily directly with a GM field service engineer who took my truck several times. He witnessed the problem and confirmed it was not working right. Even captured data from the system to send to the engineers who designed the system. No resolution yet. After 3 years dealing with it and 32 trips to the dealer , I am trading it in next weekend for a new one. GM gave me a trade in credit to use towards the new vehicle for all of my problems. The engineer was able to find the issue I was having with loss of all the onstar data after remote starting it and theybsaid there is only one other vehicle with the same issue 8n the whole US. My luck! They have written a software update for that using several data downloads from truck and it is in the testing phase now, but by the time it is released I won't have the truck any more. Lol

BobMcC · December 14, 2023

I guess you've traded it off by now. I have a 2021 Silverado 1500 LTZ and I'm having the same issue with the intellibeam switch on turn signal stalk not being able to activate the system. As well as, sometimes it turns itself off without touching the switch. Thank God, when I do get it to turn on, the system works correctly and doesn't flash off/on like yours did. I'm an electronics technologist and I know intermittent issues like this are the hardest to find. I wish there was a known fix for this problem.

Grayson Pippin · January 10

More than just you and another having this issue. I have the same 2020 AT4. The automatic lights worked intermittently since I bought it. Like you said, when the system is on it works, but the system turns off I have no way to get it back on. The switch does nothing. Didn't happen much at first but they have been off for months now. I've never reported it to the dealership. Going in for an oil change next week. I was hoping they would have an update to fix it but judging from this thread, that's not likely. Maybe I'll trad e it in for one of those new Denali Ultimates. Just got to find $100k I'm not using!

Dhamilton07 · January 10

4 hours ago, Grayson Pippin said:

More than just you and another having this issue. I have the same 2020 AT4. The automatic lights worked intermittently since I bought it. Like you said, when the system is on it works, but the system turns off I have no way to get it back on. The switch does nothing. Didn't happen much at first but they have been off for months now. I've never reported it to the dealership. Going in for an oil change next week. I was hoping they would have an update to fix it but judging from this thread, that's not likely. Maybe I'll trad e it in for one of those new Denali Ultimates. Just got to find $100k I'm not using!

please report back if they find anything!!

calgator73 · January 10

I have a 20 AT4 as well. One thing I have found with intellibeam is that if you have inclement weather that is causing enough of an issue for the camera behind your windshield then it also seems to impact the auto high beam function. It could simply be a little bit of condensation build up. And sometimes it's accompanied with an adaptive cruise disabled message. I can normally wait a few minutes put my defroster on or use the wipers in conjunction with waiting and it often returns to normal. Good luck.

MrMagloo · January 10

28 minutes ago, calgator73 said:

I have a 20 AT4 as well. One thing I have found with intellibeam is that if you have inclement weather that is causing enough of an issue for the camera behind your windshield then it also seems to impact the auto high beam function. It could simply be a little bit of condensation build up. And sometimes it's accompanied with an adaptive cruise disabled message. I can normally wait a few minutes put my defroster on or use the wipers in conjunction with waiting and it often returns to normal. Good luck.

Exactly, if the camera is obstructed by snow or condensation and cannot 'see' it will disable.