My headlights dont turn off EVEN WITH foglights off
 

My DRLs dont work, instead of just the headlights being turned on, all the lights are turned on....this also means my HUD is in "night mode" in bright sunlight....Also the dash lights are red all the time. the switch works, and is off but all the lights on the car turn on the instant the key is put in the ignition.

Is there an easy way to test the ambient light sensor on the dash as I assume that is why the headlights are turning on? I'm guessing its stuck "closed" or shorted meaning its not seeing the light of the day.

Or could this possibly be a problem with the DRLs not working so the headlights are always on?

I probably need to get a shop manual ASAP..but I'm looking for places to start troubleshooting this one.

edit:
*FOG LIGHTS ARE TURNED OFF*

turn off the fog lights ;)

when the fog light switch is on, is sets the interior lights to "night mode"

do you have to restart the car for the changes to take effect?

no, just press the fog light button, and everything should be fine ;)

If that actually works..maybe I should stay away from the 2000 as I'm too dumb to drive it. :lol:

:lol: dont feel bad, it took me 3 days to figure that out

same problem with the fog lights off...

is it dark out now? or atleast dark enough to have the lights pop on?

Its dark right now....but earlier it was 3pm and light. Thats when I made sure the fog lights were off..they were. I turn them on and off and no change.

how about the wipers?

what about them? they work just fine. ;)

the lights come on automatically with the wipers as well

Well the wipers have only been used once to test them when I first got the car, other than that they have been off?

Any ideas of where to start troubleshooting this problem?

would you believe me if i said the ECC module?

I'm willing to try anything at this point, I want my HUD in the daytime. Where is the module located at? What should I check?

ok, lemme look at my book and see what i can come up with

you mentioned a couple other electrical issues as well, correct? what else is going on?

The random security light, the possible faulty ground for the sender unit (still cant get the backseat off to check for sure), heated seat not working, but I dont think these are related.

He has had the car less than a week, and he done broke it :lol:

IF your light sensor is setup the same way it is on the 96-99, it may be bad. Pull it out and wrap foil on the bottom of it put in back in.

I'm a bit confused, what does the foil do?


Anyone know how to test the light sensor?

This is a description of the system's operation.

DRL & Twilight Sentinel

You could try pulling the sensor and do a resistance check. See if it varies with the amount of light that hits it. In the 96-99, putting a short across the sensor prevents the sensor from turning on the headlights. I don't know if anyone has tried it on the 2000+ to see if it works.

If you'll notice in the description, it also controls the delayed outside lighting at night, and your A/C load control, so you'll be affecting more than just the headlights if you short it out. Whether the contol module will like that, or not - I guess the only way to tell would be to try it. I'd prefer to test it with a variable resistor, instead. Or simply replace the sensor. I think that it's only $20 - $25 at the dealer..