Headlight/DRL issue...
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From: Summerville, SC
Headlight/DRL issue... I just bought a '99 SS last week and I noticed today that my headlights stay on all the time while driving, regardless of the time of day. On my old 4th gens the DRLs would cut on and the headlights would not, unless it was dusk/dark. I know there is a way to bypass the auto headlights by splicing into a wire in the dash. However, I do not know how they could have wired it to do this. The only obvious thing I have done is tried the headlight **** and they still won't cut off.
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
ALL 98+ Camaros came with automatic headlights.
The automatic headlight circuit uses a photocell to determine when it is dark. The less light the sensor sees, the greater the resistance in the sensor circuit. Bypassing automatic headlights involves shorting the two sensor wires together... zero resistance equals bright light so the headlights never turn on automatically. Conversely, a broken connection would create an open circuit (infinite resistance) causing the headlights to stay on all the time.
It is possible that a previous owner cut or disconnected the sensor wires causing the current problem. However, it's more likely that the previous owner removed the dash panel for some reason and didn't secure the sensor into its spot in the dash next to the defroster vent. If the sensor is dangling loose under the dash somewhere, it is probably in nearly complete darkness causing the headlights to stay on.
The automatic headlight circuit uses a photocell to determine when it is dark. The less light the sensor sees, the greater the resistance in the sensor circuit. Bypassing automatic headlights involves shorting the two sensor wires together... zero resistance equals bright light so the headlights never turn on automatically. Conversely, a broken connection would create an open circuit (infinite resistance) causing the headlights to stay on all the time.
It is possible that a previous owner cut or disconnected the sensor wires causing the current problem. However, it's more likely that the previous owner removed the dash panel for some reason and didn't secure the sensor into its spot in the dash next to the defroster vent. If the sensor is dangling loose under the dash somewhere, it is probably in nearly complete darkness causing the headlights to stay on.
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 621
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From: Summerville, SC
ALL 98+ Camaros came with automatic headlights.
The automatic headlight circuit uses a photocell to determine when it is dark. The less light the sensor sees, the greater the resistance in the sensor circuit. Bypassing automatic headlights involves shorting the two sensor wires together... zero resistance equals bright light so the headlights never turn on automatically. Conversely, a broken connection would create an open circuit (infinite resistance) causing the headlights to stay on all the time.
It is possible that a previous owner cut or disconnected the sensor wires causing the current problem. However, it's more likely that the previous owner removed the dash panel for some reason and didn't secure the sensor into its spot in the dash next to the defroster vent. If the sensor is dangling loose under the dash somewhere, it is probably in nearly complete darkness causing the headlights to stay on.
The automatic headlight circuit uses a photocell to determine when it is dark. The less light the sensor sees, the greater the resistance in the sensor circuit. Bypassing automatic headlights involves shorting the two sensor wires together... zero resistance equals bright light so the headlights never turn on automatically. Conversely, a broken connection would create an open circuit (infinite resistance) causing the headlights to stay on all the time.
It is possible that a previous owner cut or disconnected the sensor wires causing the current problem. However, it's more likely that the previous owner removed the dash panel for some reason and didn't secure the sensor into its spot in the dash next to the defroster vent. If the sensor is dangling loose under the dash somewhere, it is probably in nearly complete darkness causing the headlights to stay on.
I will open it up and see if that is the issue, I bet it is. Thanks.
Thread Starter
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From: Summerville, SC
I happened to touch my dashpad the other day and it was completely loose. Just sitting on my dash. I can lift it up easily and see where the red led is for the alarm. I can't see if the photocell is still there...correct me if I am wrong, but shouldn't the red LED attach to the vented area of the dashpad? It's been a while and I cannot remember.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,329
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
The alarm LED and the photo sensor mount next to each other in mounting holes on the right side of the defroster vent in the dash pad.
