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Headlights don't pop-up

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Old Jul 6, 2010 | 08:36 AM
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Default Headlights don't pop-up

Dear all

I need your help regarding the headlights of my C5 (1998). The headlights won't pop-up while the lamps are perfectly working. There was no noise of the headlight motor prior to this issue. It doesn't matter whether the car is running or not, the headlights just won't pop-up.

I already checked all the fuses (everything okay) and replaced the relais #44. Has anybody of you had this problem? What was the solution? Thank you very much for your help. By the way the dealers I talked to never had such a problem so they don't have a clue.

Best regards,
Andreas
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Old Jul 6, 2010 | 09:08 AM
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There are two items in that system. The headlamp switch which has a fairly high failure rate and the headlamp controller which is mounted on the right front frame rail behind the right headlamp. I would check both connectors on the headlamp controller to insure they are plugged in but most likely, the headlamp switch will be first on the suspect list. Usually when I hear the lamps are on but down, my first thought is the controller as it is what actually commands the motors to run. But, learned the hard way, the headlamp switch has to send a command to that module via the bcm to raise them. One person I advised wasn't pleased with me when I suggested the controller which he spent for and it turned out to be the headlamp switch instead.
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Old Jul 6, 2010 | 09:16 AM
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Hi

Thanks a lot for your help. Where is the headlight switch exactly located?
Do you have any pictures?

Best regards,
Andreas
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Old Jul 6, 2010 | 11:17 AM
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Originally Posted by dgrant3830
But, learned the hard way, the headlamp switch has to send a command to that module via the bcm to raise them.
No sir. The multifunction switch provides 12 volts directly to the headlamp control module for both "on" and "off" inputs. The twilight sentinel uses the BCM to turn on/off the lights(via relays 43 &44)Since the OP's car is a 1998......he should not have twilight sentinel.


Last edited by lucky131969; Jul 6, 2010 at 11:33 AM.
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Old Jul 6, 2010 | 11:57 AM
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Thanks for your input. Would you be so kind to let me know where this Switch is located in the car?
Thanks a lot for your support.

Kind regards,
Andreas
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Old Jul 6, 2010 | 12:02 PM
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Originally Posted by c5-ch
Thanks for your input. Would you be so kind to let me know where this Switch is located in the car?
Thanks a lot for your support.

Kind regards,
Andreas
It's contained in the multifunction switch....what you use to turn on your headlights. I assume you know where that is.....
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Old Jul 6, 2010 | 01:11 PM
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Lucky, you are right. I was thinking since '99's or some of them had the twilight sentinel, then the command would have passed through the bcm. Since the '98's do not have it, obviously the command goes directly to the headlamp controller. Thanks for adding the schematic for the OP since I have no books for the C-5's any more.
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Old Jul 6, 2010 | 01:35 PM
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Originally Posted by dgrant3830
Lucky, you are right. I was thinking since '99's or some of them had the twilight sentinel, then the command would have passed through the bcm.
Nope. Even with those models equipped with twilight sentinel, the 12 volt input from the MFS still goes directly to the headlamp control module.



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Old Jul 6, 2010 | 07:15 PM
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Did you try to manually open them? My passenger side light would come on, but stay shut (happened this morning actually). I opened it manually after getting home, then operated them from the column switch, and it is currently working again.

I am thinking that since I don't drive it much at night, it may have just gotten stuck.
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