Light Sensor issues

[donf]

I recently noticed that I was unable to see my radio display and the Climate Contol lights while driving during the daytime. Hours of perusing the internet have not provided a clear fix. Complicating the issue is that apparently there are several different sensors possibly involved.
What I have have discovered:
1) Thumbwheel controls all brightness - in "Night Mode" only. ( I think this is normal)
2) Indoors or at night, a bright flashlight aimed at the red Alarm Armed Light/Light Sensor in the center of the dash will put the system in "night mode"
3) Aiming the light at the Alarm Armed Light/Light Sensor in bright daylight does nothing to change it to night mode.
4) Aiming the light at the little squares in the center of the radio and Climate Control Module do nothing.
5) The mirror has nothing to do with this system at all.

Also, there is a small amount of dried dirt around the edges of both the Alarm Armed Light/Light Sensor and dash - it looks like moist air was condensing there and then drying (at least to my imagination).

Any ideas?

Thanks, Don