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Lost My Low Beams

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Old May 9, 2009 | 10:18 PM
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Default Lost My Low Beams

While driving at night, my low beams suddenly went out while switching between high and low beams. I have inspected all fuses related to the lights in the passenger footwell and the engine compartment, in particular both the L and R low beam fuses in the engine compartment fuse box. No luck. Also, when using remote to unlock, the fog and back-up lights no longer come on momentarily. Amber running lights only illuminate when the lights are in the off position. Running lights lights go off if parking lights are engaged or lights are turned on. Headlight motors work and high beams work. Any ideas? Thanks.
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Old May 9, 2009 | 11:37 PM
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Check Voltage on Fuses #8 and #10 in the underhood fuse block. If 0 Volts, probably going to find a problem with multifunction switch. These 2 schematics should help troubleshoot the problem.




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Old May 12, 2009 | 06:34 AM
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Dealer says it is the BCM (Body Control Module). $1369.xx. FYI.
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Old May 12, 2009 | 08:06 AM
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i think there is somebody here that rebuilds them but not 100% sure. i would check the things the first guy said before you drop $1400 at the dealer.
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Old May 12, 2009 | 12:21 PM
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donatcfa, has the dealer done the proper troubleshooting? If you let them replace the BCM, make sure you don't have to pay that if it dosn't cure the problem!
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Old May 12, 2009 | 12:23 PM
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jrprich, that link dosn't work, and besides, it's for the Electronic Brake Control Module.
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Old May 12, 2009 | 12:29 PM
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Originally Posted by donatcfa
Dealer says it is the BCM (Body Control Module). $1369.xx. FYI.
Really? For the low beams not working? Think about the sequence of events here...the only thing you did while driving is turn on the high beams, then the low beams were dead after. So the only thing you touched was the multifunction switch.

Take the wiring diagram to your dealer, and ask them why the tan wire from the multifunction switch runs directly to the low beams and not throught the BCM.

Provided you've checked all fuses, it's probably the mutlifunction switch, but you should verify voltage and ground with a DMM to be sure.
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Old May 12, 2009 | 12:30 PM
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Originally Posted by byronhunter
jrprich, that link dosn't work, and besides, it's for the Electronic Brake Control Module.
You mean the EBCM and BCM are not the same..?.......
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Old May 12, 2009 | 12:31 PM
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I'd bet money you could swap the relay on the BCM (and I'd bet thats what is bad if its the BCM at all) just like you can on the door control modules. Man I would go down a road pretty far self-diagnosing before I'd throw a G at headlights.

Those schematics tell you everything you need to know about the circuit. Get some help from somebody good with a voltmeter if it looks like Latin to you and go from there. Sorry you have a problem with it man, sure hope there's a cheap fix.

Cassidy
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Old May 12, 2009 | 12:40 PM
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Originally Posted by C4B4the04
I'd bet money you could swap the relay on the BCM (and I'd bet thats what is bad if its the BCM at all) just like you can on the door control modules.
Ok. Which relay on the BCM would you swap to effect the low beams?
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Old May 12, 2009 | 12:45 PM
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Originally Posted by lucky131969
Really? For the low beams not working? Think about the sequence of events here...the only thing you did while driving is turn on the high beams, then the low beams were dead after. So the only thing you touched was the multifunction switch.

Take the wiring diagram to your dealer, and ask them why the tan wire from the multifunction switch runs directly to the low beams and not throught the BCM.

Provided you've checked all fuses, it's probably the mutlifunction switch, but you should verify voltage and ground with a DMM to be sure.
Thanks Lucky, I was waiting for you to come in, it's crazy aint it???
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Old May 12, 2009 | 12:47 PM
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Originally Posted by lucky131969
Ok. Which relay on the BCM would you swap to effect the low beams?
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Old May 13, 2009 | 01:14 AM
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Originally Posted by lucky131969
Take the wiring diagram to your dealer, and ask them why the tan wire from the multifunction switch runs directly to the low beams and not throught the BCM.

Provided you've checked all fuses, it's probably the mutlifunction switch, but you should verify voltage and ground with a DMM to be sure.
It looks to me like the Tan wire is direct to the low beams, except its always-hot source is switched by relay 44 (automatic lamp control relay) which is controlled by the BCM. The GM SI says this is used by the twilight sentinel option.

Have you tried turning off Twilight Sentinel in the DIC options? I'd also check for a stuck relay 44 by verifying if the BCM is really providing ground on terminal H3 with a multimeter.

Todd
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Old May 13, 2009 | 11:26 AM
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Originally Posted by toddk
It looks to me like the Tan wire is direct to the low beams, except its always-hot source is switched by relay 44 (automatic lamp control relay) which is controlled by the BCM. The GM SI says this is used by the twilight sentinel option.
So by your interpretation of the schematic, you cannot manually turn on the headlights if relay 44 goes bad.
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Old May 13, 2009 | 02:58 PM
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Originally Posted by lucky131969
So by your interpretation of the schematic, you cannot manually turn on the headlights if relay 44 goes bad.
There are a many "what if" scenarios. After re-reviewing the schematic, I would rule out relay 44. It looks like there are two routes to get unswitched power. First is if relay 44 is grounded by the BCM, all the "default paths" through the headlamp switch will complete the circuit. Second is through the E4-W wire, also relying on the headlamp switch being on in low-beam mode.

The reading the OP's original comment that the headlight doors do open and close properly also tells me that relay 44 is probably OK. This points back to bad contacts in the headlamp switch itself.

Todd
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Old May 13, 2009 | 03:42 PM
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This post is fun Give us your $1400. We can have fun with it!

You pronounced it wrong! ITs,,, STEALERSHIP!.

If I were you I would go back there have a word with who ever told you that the BCM was bad. I would be PISSED!

Thats some POOR Stealership troubleshooting but its VERY profitable!

BC
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Old May 13, 2009 | 05:15 PM
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The Bill has spoken lol i'd listen to him he knows his ****
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To Lost My Low Beams

Old May 13, 2009 | 05:33 PM
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Originally Posted by toddk
There are a many "what if" scenarios.

This points back to bad contacts in the headlamp switch itself.

Todd
That's what I said 4 days ago!!!!!
the only "what if" scenario I see is, what if the OP pays the dealership $1300 to fix it.
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Old May 13, 2009 | 05:36 PM
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Originally Posted by byronhunter
That's what I said 4 days ago!!!!!
the only "what if" scenario I see is, what if the OP pays the dealership $1300 to fix it.
Hey, settle down byronhunter....as ColeTrain'sC5 has stated.......Bill has spoken....
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Old May 13, 2009 | 05:57 PM
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OK Lucky, I'm
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