Dreaded Ground problem? (Headlight issue)
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,939
Likes: 7
From: Simpsonville SC
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
Dreaded Ground problem? (Headlight issue)
In the early morning hours, when I hop in the car, and I release the parking brake, the headlights normally pop up.
For the past two mornings, they did not. When I try to turn them on manually, nothing happens.
So, what I have done, it to turn the key off, remove it, and wait a few seconds. Afther that, the headlights come right on!
Is this an indication of a dirty ground? Or, is there something else going wrong? If it is a ground problem, which ground may be the culprit?
I have a 99 vert with 26,000 miles.
Thanks in advance for any help!
Clif
For the past two mornings, they did not. When I try to turn them on manually, nothing happens.
So, what I have done, it to turn the key off, remove it, and wait a few seconds. Afther that, the headlights come right on!
Is this an indication of a dirty ground? Or, is there something else going wrong? If it is a ground problem, which ground may be the culprit?
I have a 99 vert with 26,000 miles.
Thanks in advance for any help!
Clif
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,960
Likes: 21
From: West Norriton PA
St. Jude Donor '08
In the early morning hours, when I hop in the car, and I release the parking brake, the headlights normally pop up.
For the past two mornings, they did not. When I try to turn them on manually, nothing happens.
So, what I have done, it to turn the key off, remove it, and wait a few seconds. Afther that, the headlights come right on!
Is this an indication of a dirty ground? Or, is there something else going wrong? If it is a ground problem, which ground may be the culprit?
I have a 99 vert with 26,000 miles.
Thanks in advance for any help!
Clif
For the past two mornings, they did not. When I try to turn them on manually, nothing happens.
So, what I have done, it to turn the key off, remove it, and wait a few seconds. Afther that, the headlights come right on!
Is this an indication of a dirty ground? Or, is there something else going wrong? If it is a ground problem, which ground may be the culprit?
I have a 99 vert with 26,000 miles.
Thanks in advance for any help!
Clif
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I assume you've not changed any light levels and dont have internal lights on in the garage.
The auto headlights function (twilight sentinel) and the manual headlights operate on different circuits. Try turning off TS and see if you still have the problem. If its still there I'd say its probably the turn signal switch which may be going bad.
Make sure you didn't leave it overnight with full beam selected on. It shouldnt make any difference but I've heard some guys say that affects whether the lght come up straight away.
The auto headlights function (twilight sentinel) and the manual headlights operate on different circuits. Try turning off TS and see if you still have the problem. If its still there I'd say its probably the turn signal switch which may be going bad.
Make sure you didn't leave it overnight with full beam selected on. It shouldnt make any difference but I've heard some guys say that affects whether the lght come up straight away.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,939
Likes: 7
From: Simpsonville SC
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
I do keep my car in the garage. I leave at 6:30 AM, and there is not much light, so the twilight sentinal always turns on the headlights. I have had the car for about 2 months, and this issue started last week. It is not every day that this happens. I usually get home in the afternoon, so my lights are off when I park.
I left the hand brake off this evening, just to see if the problem is still there. I also verified the headlights work manually before I shut down.
I'll post in the morning how it goes.
I left the hand brake off this evening, just to see if the problem is still there. I also verified the headlights work manually before I shut down.
I'll post in the morning how it goes.
