DESCRIPTION
System automatically controls on-off operation of headlights, tail lights and instrument panel lights in response to amount of light in which car is being operated. A time delay control allows lights to remain on for a preselected period after ignition is turned off.
Photocell is mounted face up under speaker or defroster grille. Amplifier unit is mounted on lower instrument panel brace. The time delay and on-off switch is attached to light switch behind light switch knob.
AUTOMATIC OPERATION
Twilight Sentinel system will operate automatically when the ignition is on, the headlight switch is in "OFF" position and the control ring pointer is turned on. The system will automatically turn lights on at dusk.
At daybreak, system will turn the lights off. The system is designed so lights will not go on or off when there are sudden changes in lighting such as going through tunnels, passing under bright lights, etc. This is accomplished by a 10-60 second delay before amplifier switches system either on or off.
A variable time-delay switch control permits the driver to select a delay period before headlights turn off. This can be a few seconds to a maximum of 4 1/2 minutes after ignition switch is turned off. Additional lighting may be provided (during this period) by turning on cornering lights (if equipped). All lights will turn off automatically at end of time-delay period selected by driver.
MANUAL OPERATION
If operator wants to turn on lights during daylight hours, 2 methods may be used. Photocell assembly may be covered up and lights will turn on. This also allows lights to be turned off in normal manner when ignition is turned off. Lights can also be turned on using regular light switch after turning time-delay switch to "OFF" position.
SENSITIVITY ADJUSTMENT
Note. Sensitivity adjustment is possible on Toronado only.
Toronado
- With a screwdriver, reach through a hole in the right side of the amplifier. Each mark around the hole represents about 5 minutes of daylight. Turn the screw clockwise to make the lights turn on earlier and counterclockwise for later (darker) in the evening.
- To test photocell, measure voltage to ground with a digital meter at the White wire at the photocell. It should vary less then 2 volts with the cell covered to more than 9 volts in bright light.
HEADLIGHTS TURN ON TOO LATE OR EARLY IN EVENING OR MORNING
Sensitivity adjustment incorrect.
LIGHTS DON'T TURN ON IN DARKNESS
Improper alignment of wiring harness connector at amplifier. Loose connection at light switch. Open wiring between fusible link and light switch. Inoperative light switch (circuit breaker). Open ground path through on-off switch of time delay control assembly. Inoperative photocell or amplifier.
LIGHTS DON'T TURN OFF IN DAYLIGHT
Amplifier sensitivity control out of adjustment. Inoperative photocell or amplifier. Missing photocell, poor contact between photocell and socket, or socket fallen out of mounting hole.
LIGHTS WILL NOT TURN OFF AFTER IGNITION IS OFF
Ignition line still has power with key off. Fuse blown. Inoperative time delay control. Open wiring in circuit. Inoperative amplifier. Malfunctioning photocell.
LIGHTS DO NOT STAY ON THE PROPER TIME SPAN AFTER IGNITION IS OFF
Inoperative time delay control assembly. Blown tail light fuse. Improper resistance at amplifier connector. Short in wiring circuit. Inoperative amplifier.
WARNING CHIME WILL NOT OPERATE
Open wiring in chime circuit. Inoperative door jam switch. Bad connection at light switch. Inoperative amplifier. Bad fuse. Bad time delay control.
WARNING CHIME SOUNDS WHEN IT SHOULD NOT
Open or disconnected wire to ignition light switch. Open ground wire to chime module. Malfunctioning amplifier.
TESTING
Note. Be sure time-delay control is in "ON" position, photocell is not obstructed, lighting system works properly when manually operated, headlight knob is in "OFF" position, and all fuses are good.
SYSTEM TEST
- With Sentinel in "OFF" position, check for proper operation of parking lights, headlights and taillights, using light switch. Place light switch in manual "ON" position with ignition off. Open a door. Warning chime should operate. Turn lights off.
- Turn Sentinel on after covering photocell. With ignition on, lights should come on automatically within 10-30 seconds. Remove cover and shine a bright light onto the photocell.
- Light should turn off after 10 and before 60 seconds. Cover photocell and wait for light to turn on. Wait 15 seconds and turn ignition off. Lights should turn off after a few seconds when control is in fully off position and after 1 1/2-4 1/2 minutes when control is in fully maximum position.
- Satisfactory performance of tests 1) through 3) indicates unit is operating properly. If unit is operating properly but turn on time is incorrect, make minor sensitivity adjustment (Toronado only).
Removal (Century)
Disconnect battery ground. Remove left side hush panel screws and nut. Remove 2 amplifier retaining screws. Disconnect electrical connector and remove amplifier. Remove defroster-speaker grille and remove photocell.
Removal (Electra & LeSabre)
Disconnect battery ground. Remove dash top cover. Disconnect electrical connector. Pinch photocell retainer and remove photocell by rotating retainer. Remove glove box shell. Remove ash tray. Remove amplifier retaining screws and remove amplifier.
Removal (Riviera)
- Disconnect battery ground. Remove glove box shell. Lower right side dash hush panel retaining screws to gain access to lower trim panel screws. Remove center trim panel by pulling straight out.
- Remove right trim panel. Disconnect electrical connector and remove amplifier retaining screws and bolts. Disconnect photocell electrical connector. Pop up and rotate retainer and remove photocell.
Removal (Regal)
Disconnect battery ground. Remove instrument panel top cover. Remove spacer on back side of retainer. Pinch retainer to remove from panel, and rotate retainer to separate from photocell. Remove right hush panel and support bracket. Flip glove box shell down. Disconnect electrical connector and remove amplifier.
Removal (Brougham)
Disconnect battery ground. Remove left hush panel. Remove screw attaching left A/C extension duct. Remove 2 screws attaching amplifier to lower instrument panel assembly. Disconnect electrical connector and remove amplifier. Remove instrument panel top cover. Pull photocell straight out.
Removal (Eldorado & Seville)
- Disconnect battery ground. Remove hush panel. Remove lower instrument panel cover. Unclip relay panel from amplifier and cruise control module mounting bracket.
- Remove 2 hex screws attaching mounting bracket to instrument panel. Remove screws attaching amplifier to mounting bracket. Disconnect electrical connector and remove amplifier. Remove instrument panel top cover. Disconnect photocell from bracket and remove.
Removal (Toronado)
Disconnect battery ground. Remove right sound absorber. Remove 2 screws attaching amplifier to tie bar. Disconnect amplifier electrical connector. Remove amplifier. Remove left speaker grille. Remove photocell socket from speaker grille by rotating counterclockwise. Remove photocell by pulling out of socket.
Removal (Fleetwood & DeVille)
Remove instrument panel top cover, photocell mounting bracket and electrical connector. Remove photocell. To remove amplifier, remove left hand hush panel, then remove amplifier module from air duct. Remove electrical connectors.
Installation (All Models)
To install, reverse removal procedure.
