Impossible Headlight Issue !! Help
Monte Of The Month -- January 2016
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,293
From: Pacific NW
So I've been at this issue for what seems like forever. Looking on different sites and trying things but nothing has worked. I had an account on here awhile ago but forgot the username and password. Anyways. I have a 2005 Monte carlo LS. Here's what im dealing with.
The problem: My auto-headlights only work during the daytime, only when im in drive. Shut off at night. They do not turn on if I pull the switch into either of the three settings. So I have been using my brights at night (with my headlight covers so they aren't blinding) well. Now my brights do not stay on even when clicked into the "on" position. So im stuck holding them on while i drive at night.
What I've tried: I first thought the sensor for day/night was bad. Replaced this twice. No fix. Then. Replaced the switch for the auto headlights/dome light. No fix. I then replaced my turn signal switch that triggers the brights. No fix. I have checked the grounds to the headlights. Thought they were a little gummed up. Clean it for good contact. Still. Nothing.
I don't know what to do anymore and I feel like I've run out of options. Please. If anybody has a solution. Share it with me. Or anything else I can try ! Thanks. Alex.
The problem: My auto-headlights only work during the daytime, only when im in drive. Shut off at night. They do not turn on if I pull the switch into either of the three settings. So I have been using my brights at night (with my headlight covers so they aren't blinding) well. Now my brights do not stay on even when clicked into the "on" position. So im stuck holding them on while i drive at night.
What I've tried: I first thought the sensor for day/night was bad. Replaced this twice. No fix. Then. Replaced the switch for the auto headlights/dome light. No fix. I then replaced my turn signal switch that triggers the brights. No fix. I have checked the grounds to the headlights. Thought they were a little gummed up. Clean it for good contact. Still. Nothing.
I don't know what to do anymore and I feel like I've run out of options. Please. If anybody has a solution. Share it with me. Or anything else I can try ! Thanks. Alex.
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 27
Yes. Driving at night. Since my brights won't stay on when activated. I have to hold the turn signal switch towards me. So it's semi safe to drive at night.
Monte Of The Month -- January 2016
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,293
From: Pacific NW
I'm still suspicious of a bad ground or wire. You might try to isolate the problem circuit by disconnecting components one at a time starting at an end point light a headlight. After disconnecting, try the headlights to see if the connected side works. If it does, the problem is within the disconnected circuit. Also try the same thing with the ambient light sensor. Could also be the DRL relay shown in the schematic "Headlamp Control Circuit".
These things are really hard to troubleshoot without a probe.
These things are really hard to troubleshoot without a probe.
Thanks Bob for helping our new member & Not giving `up
Alex, check out the below, maybe they might help you ?
Part 1 -How to Test the Turn Signal Switch (Step by Step)
troubleshootmyvehicle.com › GM › 4.3L, 5.0L, 5.7L
Jan 7, 2012 - Page 1 of 5: How to Test the Turn Signal Switch. Symptoms of a BAD Turn Signal Switch. Turn Signal Circuit Descriptions. Checking Turn ...
Turn Signal Switch Replacement Service & Cost ...
www.yourmechanic.com › Auto Repair and Maintenance Services
This means that if the turn signal switch has gone bad, your brake lights may not ...What common symptoms indicate you may need to replace the Turn Signal ...
How to Tell When a Turn Signal Switch Is Bad | eHow
www.ehow.com › Cars
How to Tell When a Turn Signal Switch Is Bad. If your turn signal has stopped working, there are several possible reasons. You could have a bad bulb in the turn ...
car-repair/how-to-tell-if-you-have-a-faulty-turn-signal-relay
www.carsdirect.com › Car Repair › Car Lighting Repair
A turn signal relay is the electrical apparatus that governs your turn signal. ... On some vehicles, there are specific differences in symptoms for broken bulbs and ...
Is Your Turn Signal Relay Bad, & in Need of Replacing?
autorepair.about.com › ... › Repairs You Can Do and How-To Guides
The good news is that all of these symptoms point to two possible issues, a bad turn signal relay or a dead bulb. If the signal blinks really fast, you have a bulb ...
troubleshooting basic turn signal and flasher problems
www.procarcare.com/includes/content/.../ch14/14TSTurnSignals.html
Most problems in the turn signal or flasher systems can be reduced to defective ...Occasionally, problems in the turn signals are traced to the switch in the steering column, which ... Both turn signals on one side don't work Check for bad bulbs.
Would a bad turn signal switch effect the brake lights? | Yahoo ...
https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid...
Oct 16, 2009 - I have a 92 Buick regal (2 door)...I know the switch is bad and now my brake lights on one side wont work but they go on for the turn signal, just ...
Turn signal problems (not caused by bad flasher / hazard switch ...
www.saturnfans.com › ... › Models › Saturn Vue › Vue Tech
Jul 21, 2010 - 9 posts - 3 authors
I have already mentioned my turn signal woes in another thread, but wanted to start my own with additional information. Essentially, about 80% ...
troubleshootmyvehicle.com › GM › 4.3L, 5.0L, 5.7L
Jan 7, 2012 - Page 1 of 5: How to Test the Turn Signal Switch. Symptoms of a BAD Turn Signal Switch. Turn Signal Circuit Descriptions. Checking Turn ...
Turn Signal Switch Replacement Service & Cost ...
www.yourmechanic.com › Auto Repair and Maintenance Services
This means that if the turn signal switch has gone bad, your brake lights may not ...What common symptoms indicate you may need to replace the Turn Signal ...
How to Tell When a Turn Signal Switch Is Bad | eHow
www.ehow.com › Cars
How to Tell When a Turn Signal Switch Is Bad. If your turn signal has stopped working, there are several possible reasons. You could have a bad bulb in the turn ...
car-repair/how-to-tell-if-you-have-a-faulty-turn-signal-relay
www.carsdirect.com › Car Repair › Car Lighting Repair
A turn signal relay is the electrical apparatus that governs your turn signal. ... On some vehicles, there are specific differences in symptoms for broken bulbs and ...
Is Your Turn Signal Relay Bad, & in Need of Replacing?
autorepair.about.com › ... › Repairs You Can Do and How-To Guides
The good news is that all of these symptoms point to two possible issues, a bad turn signal relay or a dead bulb. If the signal blinks really fast, you have a bulb ...
troubleshooting basic turn signal and flasher problems
www.procarcare.com/includes/content/.../ch14/14TSTurnSignals.html
Most problems in the turn signal or flasher systems can be reduced to defective ...Occasionally, problems in the turn signals are traced to the switch in the steering column, which ... Both turn signals on one side don't work Check for bad bulbs.
Would a bad turn signal switch effect the brake lights? | Yahoo ...
https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid...
Oct 16, 2009 - I have a 92 Buick regal (2 door)...I know the switch is bad and now my brake lights on one side wont work but they go on for the turn signal, just ...
Turn signal problems (not caused by bad flasher / hazard switch ...
www.saturnfans.com › ... › Models › Saturn Vue › Vue Tech
Jul 21, 2010 - 9 posts - 3 authors
I have already mentioned my turn signal woes in another thread, but wanted to start my own with additional information. Essentially, about 80% ...
More for you
www.answers.com › ... › Categories › Cars & Vehicles › American Cars
If your turn signal lights come on but do not flash, then the flasher relay is defective. If they will not come on at all then the fuse may be blown.
Last edited by BeachBumMike; Feb 28, 2016 at 06:16 PM.
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 27
I'm still suspicious of a bad ground or wire. You might try to isolate the problem circuit by disconnecting components one at a time starting at an end point light a headlight. After disconnecting, try the headlights to see if the connected side works. If it does, the problem is within the disconnected circuit. Also try the same thing with the ambient light sensor. Could also be the DRL relay shown in the schematic "Headlamp Control Circuit".
These things are really hard to troubleshoot without a probe.
These things are really hard to troubleshoot without a probe.
Hi Alex, From researching the web, I think or guess that you could have a bad turn signal switch 
What the above vid... and the links I posted... Since you have to hold it to drive 
Check it out...Good Luck
What the above vid... and the links I posted... Since you have to hold it to drive Check it out...Good Luck
Monte Of The Month -- January 2016
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,293
From: Pacific NW
Mike, I thought the same, and mentioned that in one of my first posts in this thread, (multi-function switch) but Alex said he already replaced it. Could be a defective one I suppose.
Alex, as for disconnecting and testing...unplug the connector into one of the headlights. Try the headlights and see if the one connected headlight functions properly. If it does, the problem is in that circuit. If there is no change, plug it back in and do the same to the other side. If there's still no change, plug it back in and unplug the ambient light sensor....and so on.
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 27
That's what I thought ! Haha. But I replaced it already and it still wouldn't engage the brights. It would click but when released the brights would turn off.
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 27
Mike, I thought the same, and mentioned that in one of my first posts in this thread, (multi-function switch) but Alex said he already replaced it. Could be a defective one I suppose.
Alex, as for disconnecting and testing...unplug the connector into one of the headlights. Try the headlights and see if the one connected headlight functions properly. If it does, the problem is in that circuit. If there is no change, plug it back in and do the same to the other side. If there's still no change, plug it back in and unplug the ambient light sensor....and so on.
Alex, as for disconnecting and testing...unplug the connector into one of the headlights. Try the headlights and see if the one connected headlight functions properly. If it does, the problem is in that circuit. If there is no change, plug it back in and do the same to the other side. If there's still no change, plug it back in and unplug the ambient light sensor....and so on.