Help needed with weird headlight problem

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Dec 16, 2004 | 08:14 PM

Schwa72

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Pro

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From: OH

Help needed with weird headlight problem

My 2001 just went out of warranty, so naturally now the gremlins start. See what you think of this:

When I try to turn only my parking lights on (move the stalk from "Off" to "Parking Lights"), my headlights pop up but don't turn on. They used to stay down when I did this...presumably so you could turn on the foglights/taillights without raising the headlights. I know the headlights are supposed stay up-and-off when you go the other way...from "Headlights" to "Parking Lights" on the stalk. However, no matter what I do, I can't get the foglights to come on without the headlights popping up. What in the world could be causing this? Has anyone heard of such a thing? Could it have something to do with one of my headlight motors going bad (grinds like crazy when I lower the lights)?

Good thing I bought the extended warranty...

Dec 16, 2004 | 08:23 PM

mowrey96

Racer

Joined: Aug 2001

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From: Clarksville MD

I beleive that the fog lights cannot work if the headlights are not on. I have no idea why they go up when turning on jus the parking light...

Dec 16, 2004 | 11:29 PM

danielschulzjr

Instructor

Joined: Mar 2001

Posts: 209

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From: Metairie LA

headlights and fog lights do work independently of each other. Fog lights also will flash to pass if with the bright light switch

Dec 16, 2004 | 11:53 PM

Schwa72

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From: OH

Quote:

I beleive that the fog lights cannot work if the headlights are not on. I have no idea why they go up when turning on jus the parking light...

Coincidentally enough, as I was driving home from work today, another C5 pulled up beside me with his foglights on and his highlights off and retracted. So I know it can work, and I know mine used to, I just don't know why it quit! My flash-to-pass function still works properly though.

Dec 17, 2004 | 02:09 PM

WhiteC5Vette

Safety Car

Joined: Dec 2002

Posts: 4,010

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From: SE Idaho

St. Jude Contributor

Foglamps will operate with either the park lamps or the low beam headlamps turned on. The fog lamp switch sends a B+ signal to the BCM, and the BCM then grounds the fog lamp relay turning the fog lamps on, if the park lamps or low beams are on. If you switch to high beams, the fog lamps go off.
There could be a few problems, the switch, or wiring.

Dec 17, 2004 | 04:11 PM

creighton

Burning Brakes

Joined: Aug 2004

Posts: 849

Likes: 1

From: Dallas TX

Sounds like the stalk or combination switch may have a short inside. This might be causing the headlight motor relay to turn on when the switch is moved to the parking light position.

Dec 17, 2004 | 04:38 PM

ProDesign

Racer

Joined: Aug 2000

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The motor has a gear with a plastic molded insert. The insert has gone bad and you will need to replace motor and/or replace insert. If the motor is also grinding, then the gear has also gone bad. Gear and insert are sold as a set at aftermarket supply like Ecklers.

Dec 18, 2004 | 02:35 PM

Schwa72

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From: OH

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiteC5Vette

I guess I should've been clearer in my original description of the problem, although I'm not sure it would affect the diagnosis. What I meant to say is that I can't get the parking lamps to come on without the headlights popping up. The foglight switch itself works as advertised.