The headlights on my 2001 Coupe are not popping up when I start the car and put it in gear (inside garage or outside in the dark). If I shut it off and re-start the headlights will usually pop up. This morning in the dark they did not pop up. I attempted switching on with the switch but that did not work. I shut off and re-started and the right-side headlight popped up. I shut off again, the right-side light stayed up and re-started again which made the left-side light pop up. All connections seem tight and battery in good condition. Any ideas as to what the problem will be appreciated before I take the car in to the dealer. The headlights used to pop up anytime I started the car inside the garage or outside in the dark. :confused:

 

Holy Confusion!! I had to read your post a few times to get it clear. I'm guessing you are using the Twilight Sentinel. This feature uses a small light sensor on your dash and is engaged via the parking brake, not the gear shift.

If you want to attempt to diagnose yourself, you need to make it simpler and take one of the potential culprits out of the picture. First, turn-off your Twilight Sentinel and check the headlamps for proper operation. Do the lamps come on, but the doors don't open?? If one door works but the other doesn't, there is a TSB on the winky headlamp doors, which your dealer should be able to correct. I suspect this is your problem, and that the TS feature is just making it more complicated in diagnosing. There is some type of shim that is installed to correct the unreliable headlight door problem.

Could be a bad headlight switch (if the lamps work, but the door doesn't, then this ain't it), bad motor, bad door controller or a shorted/loose connection. If you determine that they work fine manually, but mess up when the TS feature is used, I would guess a defective light sensor. Is your brake "idiot" light on the dash working with your parking brake??

I don't believe there is any DIC code that will set to give you any help, however there are a few related circuits that could cause both headlight doors to not work, so see if any codes have set.

Post back......... turn off the TS, see if the lamps work but the doors don't, etc, etc.

 

You have email.

 

If what you have is normal operation of the headlight bulbs but intermittent operation of the headlight motors, the likely cause is a loose or dirty battery terminal. Enough contact is being made to maintain normal voltages, but not to support the heavy instantaneous current draw that occurs when the motors are activated. Check that your battery terminals are clean and snug. I know of at least two people, including me, where this was the problem, and that was the fix.

 

Thanks for advise. Turned off TS. Lights pop up/come on fine with switch. Must be problem with TS. :hurray:

 

if it's the Twilight Sentinel, I would turn it off...someone posted that they left theirs on during a recent service visit to their dealership and the lights popped up while the hood was open and it caused some damage.

That's one luxury option that a Vette doesn't need.


[Modified by Mark S., 10:07 AM 3/17/2003]