Pulsar light sensor

[LEDluvr]

Hi all,
I think I may have a problem with my Pulsar’s light sensor. I thought I’d ask the Pulsar Illuminati for some advice:

I have a Texas Instruments model 101 that has a light sensor. If I have the LEDs on, and turn on or off the lights while the display is lit, I can see the LEDs brighten or dim, depending on the amount of light in the room. This is what it is supposed to do.

BUT... I my avatar Pulsar and a partially working SS Pulsar I recently aquired don't behave the same way. The brightness of their LEDs seems to be the same no matter what the ambient light level is, i.e. - no matter how much I turn on and off the room lights.

My theory is (and tell me if I'm wrong):
Maybe the T.I. has only two output levels, so this is why it's more obvious when the LEDs switch from the 'high' or 'low' setting. The Pulsars have a more incremental light output that can more closely match the amount of available light in the room. This is why I don't see the LEDs going from bright to dim and vice versa.
I don't know.... ??

[LEDluvr]

No takers? Maybe my "theory" is worse than I thought...

[bruce wegmann]

Try this: in a well-lit room, take your finger and "shade" the light sensor. It should sense the lowered light level and dim the LEDs. If not, the sensor is not working right. This works well on my P2s, P3s, and P4s. Some modules are more responsive than others [that is, the brightness level swings through a wider range], but this technique provides a quick test without having to disassemble anything. If there is no change, you can either live with the condition [not a big deal], or replace the sensor chip [not a complicated repair].

[LEDluvr]

Thanks Bruce, I'll give it a shot and report back.