Trying to figure this one out. My 2003 Bonneville SLE has been running fine with no other issues or warning messages. A few days ago it started dinging like mad with Security light flashing (like when you forget your lights or keys) when I turn it off, remove key, then open door. Shuts up when door closed again. But corner parking lights front and rear (but not headlights) stay on for a full 10 minutes each time. Reopening the door within the 10 minutes results in more mad dinging and flashing. Putting key back in but not turning it slows down the dinging but security still flashes. Have tried lights in all possible positions, they're definitely off - it'* not a case of keys forgotten or lights left on forgotten or interior lights or anything I can see...

I just tried disconnecting the battery for a few hours and reconnecting, no joy still does exact same thing.

Everything starts and runs fine each time, so the security warning is fortunately NOT causing a "no-start" situation.

My best guess is a bad sensor somewhere... but where. Key forgotten? Light left on? Any other ideas???

Because putting key in changes the ding, it wouldn't seem like it'* the key forgotten one..

Anyone run into this one? I'd prefer to catch it before it tips over the edge and DOES result in a no-start security issue and leaves me stranded somewhere some dark night

super fast ding means lights on, slow ding is key in. id start by unplugging the headlight switch. my guess is the contacts are stuck causing the headlights to stay on. if im correct, the lights should turn off after you turn off the key, or your twilight sentinel is over, and the ding should stop also. if this does solve your problem, you can leave it unplugged till you get a new switch thanks to gm'* automatic lights.

OK that makes a lot of sense... the fast vs. slow ding is good info!

My light switches are two push-in/turn gray buttons on left of steering wheel, with fog light button below that. What'* easiest way of getting into the contacts and switches? I'm assuming a whole lotta dash has to get taken apart for that? Is there any way to just disable those switches by pulling the right fuse in the fusebox instead??

unfortunately, its impossible to pull a fuse without also disabling the lights alltogether. one easy fix you might be able to do, is if you remove the hush panel above the pedals, you should find a block of connectors with a bolt in the center. one of the plugs in that block should be all the switches on the wheel. looking at part store websites, its only got one row of wires, where the others have 2 or more. if there is more than one connector with only one row of wires, itll have to be trial and error. if you unplug the wrong one, you loose your stalk, or your ignition.

the only other way to do the fix is buy a new switch, and hopefully have better luck finding a writeup on how to replace it than i did. sorry i couldnt be of more help, but even though my park ave is the same body, my headlight switch is easily accessible on the dash itself.

this link should give you a visual as to what im talking about.

2000-2005 Pontiac Bonneville Headlight Switch - Garage-Pro, Direct fit, Plastic, Blade type; 7-prong male terminal; Dashboard mounted - JCWhitney

actually, looking at the 3rd pic from the left where it shows the switch and the harness, it looks like you might be able to unscrew a screw on the back of the wheel if you wanna try and take the switch apart and clean the contacts.

i really cant believe there isnt any replacement info on this on the net.


just to clarify, your headlight controls are on the wheel itself, correct? if so than my info is correct. if its on the stalk i can walk you thru that also.

Sorry no it'* not ON the wheel... it'* at 9 o'clock in relation to my wheel on the dash panel.. small section of panel there has controls for lights/dimmer/courtesy lights/fog lights. So wiring for it goes from over pedal through the dash I'm assuming...

Mine is exactly like this picture I found on the net - has radio controls on steering wheel, cruise controls on signal stalk, and light controls on left dash:

OK found this part on Ebay.. the front panel and controls look easy enough to pop out and change.. this shows the connectors on the back looks like one plug. Question I guess is if the problem is the physical dials and controls (which SEEM ok on mine) or the plugs/wiring/fuses that feed the controls in which case this part wouldn't fix the issue...

Ebay Part

Just to clarify again - the headlights work fine automatically per sensor. If I turn delayed courtesy off then the headlights are not coming on when I exit the car, just the 2 front sidelights and 2 main rear lights (not brake). If I turn the dimmer switch to have courtesy delay on, then headlights are on briefly (1 min?) and then go off, but the other 4 lights stay on the full 10 minutes.

The headlights come on and off properly per daylight sensing when I drive the car. The Daytime Running Lights are NOT on when the 10 minute wait is occuring.

Not sure how this relates to the Security warning system.... but it doesn't really seem like there'* any problem with my lights or light controls - somehow this Security warning is probably what'* making the lights stay on the 10 mins of backup power there.. but what'* triggering the security system is the million dollar question!

How is the battery? Original? Replaced? Low voltage can do funny things.

The light switch is available as a separate part but the pricing shows $70 range for the two colors of light switch. It apparently pops out of the unit with the vents. I tried looking up troubleshooting for your various symptoms and if they are not a result of low voltage from the battery, troubleshooting requires a TechII type computer ability to look at everything from ambient light sensors on.

At $54 including shipping, that looks like a good piece for troubleshooting if you're not tight on the money supply. On the blow up diagram it looks like there is one friction clip holding the vents and headlight switch unit into the dash. Take out the vent louvers and you can probably grasp and give a pull toward back window and the friction clip will let it slide. Or carefully use a towel and putty knife to try to pry on the ends of the unit. I looked to how that equivalent unit is held in on my 2003 leSabre and it has wood trim plate on front of dash and switches are a part of the wood trim piece, which is held in by two friction clips that just pull out with a good backward tug.

part #24 is the headlight switch, 25 is the whole vent piece, and 26 is the friction clip (which is sold separately. Alternatively you could try getting this from a local wrecking yard.

INSTRUMENT PANEL PART 2 - H