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Head light switch or control module?

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Old Mar 8, 2008 | 09:08 AM
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Default Head light switch or control module?

I've got a '98 and the headlights won't turn on or pop up. What would your guess be,the switch or the headlight control module? Thanks
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Old Mar 8, 2008 | 09:24 AM
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Couple of things that may help:

First check the fuses. The '#6 fuse on the footwell panel also affects the headlights.

If they're good make sure Twilight Sentinel is on and see if the lights work on auto in a darker garage. If it does it's probably a switch.
Turn TS off. Choose one and I'd start with the hazard switch and cycle it firmly a good few times and see if the lights work. If so thats your culprit. If not try the other one and do the same.

If still no joy are there any codes set? If so post them up.
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Old Mar 8, 2008 | 09:45 AM
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NO Codes. I will check the fuse then do the "dark garage thing" Thanks!
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Old Mar 8, 2008 | 11:08 AM
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Do they come on with the headlamp switch? If not, as suggested, look at the fuses. Now if they come on with the twilight sentinel and not the headlamp switch, then you need a new switch. But if its the other way around, it can be either. If the sentinel turns them on, but they don't raise, then its the headlamp controller.
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Old Mar 8, 2008 | 07:33 PM
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Hi,

Just had the same problem with both Headlights staying in the down position when you turn the headlamp switch on. I traced it back to the headlight switch in the steering column. Brought and check out the headlight module and it wasn't it. I found that if I would move the steering wheel in the complete down position using the tilt wheel lever then turn the headlight switch on the headlights would pop up and work. For me it was definately the headlight/cruise control lever in the steering column. Not to bad of a job to change but just make sure you disconnect the air bags properly as described in the repair manuals. Part cost under a $100 or thereabouts. Just make sure if it is the stalk, spend the money for a new one or close to it so you don't repeat the problem. Hope this helped you.

P.S. Also had a problem with the gray connectors under the hood on top of the fender wells close to the headlights. These connectors are flat and feed the headlight module and motors in the headlights, etc. I found in one of those connectors that the pins were not making good contact and was preventing one of the headlights from popping up.

Last edited by glkfam; Mar 8, 2008 at 07:36 PM. Reason: added
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Old Mar 8, 2008 | 10:10 PM
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I don't think that there is good reason to take the wheel off. It blocks just one torx head screw that you can easily get at. Turn the wheel a quarter turn and use a torx bit turn it with a open end wrench works great and you won't have to deal with the airbag or pulling the wheel
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ulti function

Last edited by z06801; Mar 8, 2008 at 11:32 PM.
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Old Mar 8, 2008 | 11:18 PM
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Originally Posted by z06801
I don't think that there is good reason to take the wheel off. It blocks just one star head screw that you can easily get at. Turn the wheel a quarter turn and use a star bit turn it with a open end wrench works great and you won't have to deal with the airbag or pulling the wheel
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ulti function
I replaced mine today, I could do it again in about 20min since I know how it is and I am FAR from handy or mechanically inclined. Only tricky part is you need a torx socket for two bolts, I had never heard of one before and had to go borrow one, therefore adding an hour to my install time.

~B~
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Old Mar 11, 2008 | 05:15 PM
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I finally found the problem with my headlights....I disconnected the headlight module to check the connectors and about 8oz of water poured out!!!!

The pins from the module were corroded into the hardness plug and all but 2 in one of the connectors pulled straight out of the module...

After romoving the module, it looks like it warped and let water in eating everything inside the module up!

The relay inside the module looked like a fish tank with bubbles and water and all......

Finding the module online is no biggie, it's finding the connector which is completely corroded to be new challenge.....
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