Headlamps Malfunction
Headlamps Malfunction
Diagnostic Instructions
* Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle (Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle) prior to using this diagnostic procedure
* Review Strategy Based Diagnosis (Strategy Based Diagnosis) for an overview of the diagnostic approach
* Diagnostic Procedure Instructions (Diagnostic Procedure Instructions) provides an overview of each diagnostic category
Diagnostic Fault Information
Circuit/System Description
The vehicle headlamps are controlled by the body control module (BCM) based on inputs from the headlamp switch and the turn signal/multifunction switch. The headlamp switch has four positions: Off, Auto, Park, and Headlamps. The default headlamp switch position is Auto, in which the BCM uses the ambient light sensor to determine when headlamps are needed. The Off portion of the headlamp switch is a momentary switch which overrides the automatic headlamps and will turn off the vehicle headlamps. When in the Off position, the headlamp switch grounds the headlamp switch headlamps off signal circuit, prompting the BCM to turn off the headlamps. The Park position of the headlamp switch will only illuminate the vehicle parking lamps. The Headlamp position of the headlamp switch will illuminate both the parking lamps, as well has the headlamps. With the headlamp switch in the Headlamp position, the headlamp switch headlamps on signal circuit is grounded, prompting the BCM to turn on the headlamps, regardless of other factors such as ambient light.
The headlamp high beams are controlled through the flash to pass switch and the headlamp dimmer switch, both located in the turn signal/multifunction switch. The flash to pass switch is a momentary type switch, designed to illuminate the high beams as long as the switch is held. With the switch closed, the flash to pass switch signal circuit is grounded, prompting the BCM to turn on the high beam lamps. The headlamp dimmer switch allows the operator to select between full time high or low beam operation. Unlike the flash to pass switch, it is not a momentary switch. When the headlamp dimmer switch is in the high beam position, the headlamp dimmer switch high beam signal circuit is grounded. This prompts the BCM to turn on the high beam lamps.
The BCM controls the headlamps based on the inputs explained above. When a low beam request is received, the BCM grounds the headlamp low beam relay control circuit. This energizes the coil in the LO BEAM PCB Relay, causing the relay switch to close. This then applies B+ to both low beam headlamps through the LT LO BEAM and RT LO BEAM fuses, illuminating the low beam headlamps. When a high beam request is received, the BCM grounds the headlamp high beam relay control circuit. This energizes the coil in the HIGH BEAM PCB Relay, causing the relay switch to close. This then applies B+ through both HI BEAM fuses and the high beam headlamp supply voltage circuits illuminating the high beam headlamps.
Reference Information
Schematic Reference
Headlights/Daytime Running Lights (DRL) Schematics (Headlights/Daytime Running Lights (DRL) Schematics)
Connector End View Reference
Component Connector End Views (Connector Views)
Description and Operation
Exterior Lighting Systems Description and Operation (Exterior Lighting Systems Description and Operation)
Electrical Information Reference
* Circuit Testing (Circuit Testing)
* Connector Repairs (Connector Repairs)
* Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections (Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections)
* Wiring Repairs (Wiring Repairs)
Scan Tool Reference
Control Module References (Programming and Relearning) for scan tool information
Circuit/System Verification
1. Ignition ON, observe the scan tool Auto Hdlp. Disable Sw. parameter while cycling the headlamp switch between the Auto and Off positions. The parameter should change between Active and Inactive.
• If the parameter does not change between the specified values, refer to Headlamp Switch Malfunction.
2. Observe the scan tool Headlamp Switch parameter while cycling the headlamp switch between the Auto and Head position. The parameter should change between Active and Inactive.
• If the parameter does not change between the specified values, refer to Headlamp Switch Malfunction.
3. With the headlamps on, observe the scan tool Flash to Pass Switch parameter while pulling and releasing the flash to pass switch. The parameter should change between Active and Inactive.
• If the parameter does not change between the specified values, refer to Turn Signal/Multifunction Switch Malfunction.
4. With the headlamps on, observe the scan tool High Beam Select Switch parameter while switching the headlamp dimmer switch between the low and high beam positions. The parameter should change between Active and Inactive.
• If the parameter does not change between the specified values, refer to Turn Signal/Multifunction Switch Malfunction.
5. Command the Low Beams ON and OFF with a scan tool. Verify the low beam headlamps turn ON and OFF.
• If the low beam headlamps do not change between the commanded states, refer to Low Beam Headlamp Malfunction.
6. Command the High Beams ON and OFF with a scan tool. Verify the high beam headlamps turn ON and OFF.
• If the high beam headlamps do not change between the commanded states, refer to High Beam Headlamp Malfunction.
7. Command the Display Test ON and OFF with a scan tool. The lights on indicator and high beam indicator should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.
• If the lights on indicator or high beam indicator is always ON or OFF, replace the instrument cluster.
Circuit/System Testing
Headlamp Switch Malfunction
1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the headlamp switch.
2. Verify that a test lamp illuminates between the ground circuit terminal 8 and B+.
• If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
3. Ignition ON, verify the scan tool Headlamp Switch parameter is Inactive.
• If not the specified value, test the signal circuit terminal 1 for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
4. Verify the scan tool Auto Hdlp. Disable Sw. parameter is Inactive.
• If not the specified value, test the signal circuit terminal 3 for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
5. Install a 3A fused jumper wire between the signal circuit terminal 1 and ground. Verify the scan tool Headlamp Switch parameter is Active.
• If not the specified value, test the signal circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
6. Install a 3A fused jumper wire between the signal circuit terminal 3 and ground. Verify the scan tool Auto Hdlp. Disable Sw. parameter is Active.
• If not the specified value, test the signal circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
7. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the headlamp switch.
Turn Signal/Multifunction Switch Malfunction
1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the X2 harness connector at the turn signal/multifunction switch.
2. Verify that a test lamp illuminates between the ground circuit terminal D and B+.
• If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
3. Ignition ON, verify the scan tool Flash to Pass Switch parameter is Inactive.
• If not the specified value, test the signal circuit terminal A for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
4. Verify the scan tool High Beam Select Switch parameter is Inactive.
• If not the specified value, test the signal circuit terminal E for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
5. Install a 3A fused jumper wire between the signal circuit terminal A and ground. Verify the scan tool Flash to Pass Switch parameter is Active.
• If not the specified value, test the signal circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
6. Install a 3A fused jumper wire between the signal circuit terminal E and ground. Verify the scan tool High Beam Select Switch parameter is Active.
• If not the specified value, test the signal circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
7. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the turn signal/multifunction switch.
Low Beam Headlamp Malfunction
1. Ignition OFF, remove the DRL relay from the rear fuse block.
2. Ignition ON, headlamps OFF, verify that a test lamp does not illuminate between the control circuit terminal 86 and ground.
• If the test lamp illuminates, test the control circuit for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
3. Ignition OFF, install the DRL relay. Disconnect the X1 harness connector at the underhood fuse block.
4. Ignition ON, headlamps OFF, verify that a test lamp does not illuminate between the control circuit terminal J2 and ground.
• If the test lamp illuminates, test the control circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the DRL relay.
5. Ignition OFF, disconnect the X2 harness connector at the underhood fuse block.
6. Connect a test lamp between the control circuit terminal K3 and B+.
7. Ignition ON, command the Low Beams ON and OFF with a scan tool. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.
• If the test lamp is always ON, test the control circuit for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
• If the test lamp is always OFF, test the control circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
8. Ignition OFF, connect the X1 and X2 harness connectors at the underhood fuse block. Disconnect the harness connector at the inoperative low beam headlamp.
9. Test for less than 5 ohm between the ground circuit terminal B and ground.
• If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
10. Connect a test lamp between the control circuit terminal A and ground.
11. Command the Low Beams ON and OFF with a scan tool. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.
• If the test lamp is always ON, test the control circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, replace the underhood fuse block.
• If the test lamp is always OFF, test the control circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the underhood fuse block.
12. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the inoperative low beam headlamp.
High Beam Headlamp Malfunction
1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the X2 harness connector at the underhood fuse block.
2. Connect a test lamp between the control circuit terminal K3 and B+.
3. Ignition ON, command the High Beams ON and OFF with a scan tool. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.
• If the test lamp is always ON, test the control circuit for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
• If the test lamp is always OFF, test the control circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
4. Ignition OFF, connect the X2 harness connector at the underhood fuse block. Disconnect the harness connector at the Inoperative high beam headlamp.
5. Test for less than 5 ohm between the ground circuit terminal B and ground,
• If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
6. Connect a test lamp between the control circuit terminal A and ground.
7. Ignition ON, command the High Beams ON and OFF with a scan tool. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.
• If the test lamp is always ON, test the control circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, replace the underhood fuse block.
• If the test lamp is always OFF, test the control circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the underhood fuse block.
8. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the inoperative high beam headlamp.
Repair Instructions
Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification (Verification Tests) after completing the diagnostic procedure.
* Headlamp Bulb Replacement (With Cornering Lamp) (Headlamp Bulb Replacement (With Cornering Lamp))Headlamp Bulb Replacement (Without Cornering Lamp) (Headlamp Bulb Replacement (Without Cornering Lamp))
* Headlamp Switch Replacement (Service and Repair)
* Turn Signal Multifunction Switch Replacement (Service and Repair)
* Underhood Electrical Center or Junction Block Replacement (Removal and Replacement)
* Control Module References (Programming and Relearning) for BCM or IPC replacement, setup, and programming