2001 base headlights do not come on in daylight
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 10
Likes: 1
From: South Florida
2001 base headlights do not come on in daylight
After driving my 2001 base corvette for over 2 years, I recently noticed the headlights do not pop up when driving in daylight. They work fine after dark or in the garage. I cannot find anything in the owner's manual that describes this behavior. My car has the Twilight Sentinel feature, but it is turned off. I have also tried covering the light sensors on the defroster grill with no results. Has anyone else experienced this?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,493
Likes: 1,178
From: Dyer, IN
After driving my 2001 base corvette for over 2 years, I recently noticed the headlights do not pop up when driving in daylight. They work fine after dark or in the garage. I cannot find anything in the owner's manual that describes this behavior. My car has the Twilight Sentinel feature, but it is turned off. I have also tried covering the light sensors on the defroster grill with no results. Has anyone else experienced this?
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 10
Likes: 1
From: South Florida
Thank you for your reply. I tried what you suggested but it made no difference. However, I discovered the lights actually illuminate when switched on even though they do not pop up. I also noticed a light sensor on the side of the rear-view mirror that faces the windshield and when I hold my hand over the sensor to block out light, the headlights will pop up when switched on. I thought that sensor controlled the functioning of the mirror, but I now know how to get the headlights to pop up when required during the day.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,493
Likes: 1,178
From: Dyer, IN
Thank you for your reply. I tried what you suggested but it made no difference. However, I discovered the lights actually illuminate when switched on even though they do not pop up. I also noticed a light sensor on the side of the rear-view mirror that faces the windshield and when I hold my hand over the sensor to block out light, the headlights will pop up when switched on. I thought that sensor controlled the functioning of the mirror, but I now know how to get the headlights to pop up when required during the day.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 10
Likes: 1
From: South Florida
Thank you for your reply and the diagram. I have an update on my original post. Now the headlights always turn on but do not always pop up even with sentinel enabled, regardless of daylight. So, I am thinking it is either a faulty headlight control module or maybe a sticky relay that powers the headlight door motors. I'll check the micro relay 44 as you suggested and report back.
