2002 SLE Headlight Problem

[kpopbonn]

Just bought a 2002 SLE with 60,000 miles. Have a problem with the Daytime Running Lights (DRL) and headlights. The DRL and Headlights will not work first thing in the morning after the car has been sitting in a dark garage overnight. The side marker amber lights will work. After the sun comes up and its daytime, both the DRL and headlight work fine (as well as high beams). They will work all day long just like they are supposed to. I drive the car home at night and everything works. The car is parked in the dark garage and then I check the headlights several times during the evening hours and the headlights will come on sitting in the garage. The latest I have checked is around 11:30 PM, the lights still work.

I changed out the ambient light sensor on the dash with a new AC Delco. Problem still exists.

What gives? Any ideas?

[kpopbonn]

Its all good, nobody has to answer. I just won't drive the car at night.

[crash93ssei]

Snotty remarks like that will get you absolutely nowhere here. If you want help then you are going about it the absolute wrong way. This forum is not nearly as active as it used to be so answers may come slower.

With that said, let's try to work this out.

If you manually turn on the headlights do they turn on? Have you checked all fuses under the hood and under the back seat?

[kpopbonn]

Just a little good natured fun. no malice or attitude intended. should have put a smiley face after my comment but I don't do smiley faces or high fives. (joking again).

Yes I can manually turn the headlights on but only when the DRL are working. The DRL and headlights will not work in the morning but they pretty much work all day long in sunlight.

I have checked fuses. I just replaced my DRL Relay today with a new one purchased at AutoZone. The DRL Relay is under the hood. Same problem, DRL and headlights not working after dark.

THANKS again for responding.

[crash93ssei]

Just keep in mind that text is hard to read emotion through, especially if no smiley faces or whatever else is used as well. Plus, with these being grandma cars many here are old and grumpy haha

This seems like a very odd problem for sure. Manually turning the headlights on will not turn them on in the morning? When the headlights don't work, do any other electronic functions not work as well?

[crash93ssei]

Could possibly the the instrument panel integration module going flaky, in this thread about halfway down Harofreak00 posts about the individual body modules and what they do http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... 10711.html I don't recommend buying one right away unless we can confirm it as bad or you can return it if it isn't the problem.

[kpopbonn]

no the headlights will not work manually in the morning, but the parking lights in front and back will work. The only time the headlights will work is when the DRL are working, which is usually during the daylight hours.

I appreciate the heads up about the individual body modules I will check it out.

[kpopbonn]

This may be a bit of a witch hunt but I decided I am going to try to follow some wiring back from the headlights and check for proper grounding and pinched wires, etc. Its supposed to be pretty nice weather for the next couple of days around here (40's) so I can't make the excuse that's its too cold to play with my car. I'll report back. < ---- trying my hand with some smilies.

[SurfingBonnedriver]

Stab in the dark here(absolutely no pun intended), but does the Bonne use a resistor to bring the DRL down, and could the resistor be flaky? I rudely found that the prior owner of my Torrent had not replaced the DRL resistor when performing a collision repair. Got one from a Chevy Malibu that crossed with the same GM part number.


Just a note, since they canned Pontiac in 09, there are fewer and fewer enthusiasts out there, and the knowledge base will taper off. As much as I love my Bonneville, there will come a day when we will no longer be able to get parts, and unlike late 60's muscle Pontiacs, I cannot see a big "classic" market developing for modern cars(less Vette's Vipers, Camaros etc) I had a friend with an AMX and a Javelin. If you think it's lonely here, drive an AMC. At least we know that most parts came from GM.

[kpopbonn]

decided to do a new (used) multi function switch/turn signal assembly. buying it from Harofreak00. Thanks Andrew. I'll post the results.

[redzmonte]

I would suspect the multi function switch as well. From there look at the DIM (dash intigration module) behind/below the glovebox. Mine was goofy and my dash lights were not working. When it was out my lights didn't work... Found a burnt resistor, replaced it and my DRL stay on longer and act different when the car is off. (.courtisy lights)

[kpopbonn]

bad news. the new used multi function switch did not fix my problem. Have the same problem with the new switch installed. I will check out the Dash Integration Module. so far I have replaced the ambient light sensor (on top of the dash) , the daytime running light relay in the fuse box under the hood and just replaced the multi function switch and pulled out my headlights and unplugged them, pulled the bulbs out looked at them and plugged them back in (not sure why I did this but it was nice outside and I thought, why not?). Thanks for your ideas.

[kpopbonn]

problem solved. found a few loose wires and bad connections under the fuse box in the engine compartment. It looks like somebody nicked some wires working near the fuse box in a previous life.

[crash93ssei]

Wow, odd one for sure, glad to see it is fixed though!