Twilight Sentinel

The twilight sentinel is a feature that provides for the automatic ON/OFF control of the headlamps in response to the level of ambient light. The twilight sentinel keeps the lamps on for a preselected time period after the ignition is turned to the OFF position. The headlamps turn off automatically after the preselected time period elapses.

When the ignition switch is on and the head/park lamp switch is oft, the system turns the headlamps on when road illumination becomes necessary. As daylight increases in the morning and illumination is no longer needed, the headlights turn oft. The system consists of the following components:
^ A light sensitive photocell sensor
^ A lamp control module
^ A time delay control with a momentary oft switch The automatic twilight sentinel circuit is in parallel with the regular head/park lamp switch. The head/park lamp switch must be in the OFF position for the automatic twilight sentinel system to operate.

The photocell sensor mounts with the light sensitive surface face up in the instrument panel defroster grille. This mounting location exposes the photocell to the ambient light through the windshield. The lamp control module mounts behind the instrument panel.

A time delay circuit in the lamp control module reduces the probability of the headlamps switching on or off while the vehicle passes under viaducts, trees, bright lights, etc. The time is normally 23 seconds. The time cannot be adjusted. The variable twilight sentinel control adjusts only the time delay period during which the headlamps remain on after the ignition is turned to the OFF position. You may adjust the time delay from a few seconds to 3 minutes.

You cannot permanently turn off the twilight sentinel switch. If you move the switch to the OFF position, the twilight sentinel switch will automatically return to the ON position when you release the switch. While in the vehicle is in PARK, with the ignition in RUN, the headlamps may be cycled off if the headlamps have turned on automatically by moving the switch to OFF. The headlamps will return to automatic operation when you shift the vehicle out of the PARK position.

The headlamps remain on after the ignition is turned to the OFF position if the head/park lamp switch is in the ON position. A warning chime sounds when the driver's door opens in order to remind the driver to turn off the head/park lamp switch.