Tips on trouble shooting my dust to dawn security light?

I have a security light with a sensor on it (not motion sensor), it was acting up and coming on then shutting off, I replaced the bulb and thought that was it! Then at night (when it is pitch black) it will sometimes turn on and sometimes not- it only seems to work if I cover it with electrical tape, and then it stays on 24/7. I am wondering if the eye is facing the wrong way, as tenants come out of there rooms or laundrey facility and the light hits that could that be what is throwing it off?? Should I move the eye to face out---towards the back area of the building where there or no apartments.