Daytime Running Lamps Malfunction
Daytime Running Lamps 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 ambient light sensor is used to monitor outside lighting conditions. The ambient light sensor provides a voltage signal that will vary between 0.2 and 4.9 volts depending on outside lighting conditions. The body control module (BCM) provides a low reference ground and 5-volt reference signal to the ambient light sensor. The BCM monitors the ambient light sensor signal circuit to determine if outside lighting conditions are correct for either daytime running lights (DRL) or automatic lamp control (ALC) when the headlamp switch is in the AUTO position. In daylight conditions, the BCM will command the DRLs ON by applying ground to the DRL relay control circuit. When the BCM applies ground to the relay control circuit, the DRL relay coil energizes causing the relay switch contacts to close. With the DRL relay switch contacts closed, battery voltage flows through the DRL fuse to the left and right low beam headlamp control circuits illuminating the low beam headlamps at reduced intensity. Any function or condition that turns on the headlamps will cancel DRL operation.
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 End Views By Name)
Description and Operation
Exterior Lighting Systems Description and Operation (Exterior Lighting Systems)
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, with a scan tool command the Headlamps ON and OFF. The low beam headlamps should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.
• If the low beam headlamps do not turn ON and OFF when commanded, refer to Headlamps Malfunction (Headlamps Malfunction).
2. Ignition ON, park brake released, verify with a scan tool the Park Brake Switch parameter displays Inactive.
• If not the specified value, refer to Symptoms - Park Brake (Symptoms - Park Brake).
3. Ignition ON, with a scan tool command the Low Beam/DRL ON and OFF. The low beam headlamps should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.
• If the low beam headlamps do not turn ON and OFF when commanded, refer to Daytime Running Lamps Malfunction.
• If the low beam headlamps turn ON and OFF when commanded, refer to Ambient Light Sensor Malfunction.
Circuit/System Testing
Daytime Running Lamps Malfunction
1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the DRL relay.
2. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp does not illuminate between the control circuit terminal 87 and ground.
• If the test lamp illuminates, test the control circuit for a short to voltage.
3. Verify that a test lamp illuminates between the B+ circuit terminal 30 and ground.
• If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the B+ circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal and the B+ circuit fuse is open, test the control circuit terminal 87 for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the DRL relay.
4. Verify that a test lamp illuminates between the B+ circuit terminal 85 and ground.
• If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the B+ circuit for an open/high resistance.
5. Connect a 15A fused jumper wire between the B+ circuit terminal 30 and the control circuit terminal 87. Verify the low beam headlamps illuminate.
• If the low beam headlamps do not illuminate, test the control circuit for an open/high resistance.
6. Connect a test lamp between the B+ circuit terminal 85 and the control circuit terminal 86.
7. Command the Low Beam/DRL 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. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the DRL relay.
Ambient Light Sensor Malfunction
1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the ambient light sensor.
2. Ignition OFF, exterior lamps OFF, key REMOVED, wait 30 seconds, test for less than 10 ohms between the appropriate low reference circuit terminal listed below and ground.
* Ambient light sensor low reference terminal B - with C60
* Ambient light sensor low reference terminal C - with C68
• If greater than the specified range, test the low reference circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
3. If all circuits test normal, replace the ambient light sensor.
Repair Instructions
Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification (Verification Tests) after completing the diagnostic procedure.
* Ambient Light Sensor Replacement (Service and Repair)
* Relay Replacement (Relay Replacement (Within an Electrical Center))
* Control Module References (Programming and Relearning) for BCM replacement, setup, and programming