DESCRIPTION
The twilight sentinel system automatically controls on-off operation of headlights, taillights, and instrument panel lights in response to ambient light. A time delay control allows lights to remain on for a preselected period after ignition is turned off.
A photocell is mounted face up under speaker or defroster grille. An amplifier unit is mounted on lower instrument panel brace. A time delay and on-off switch is attached to light switch behind the light switch knob.
AUTOMATIC OPERATION
Twilight sentinel system will operate automatically when ignition switch is in ON position or headlight switch is in OFF position and the control ring pointer is turned on. System will automatically activate lights when level of available light corresponds to dusk.
At daybreak, system will turn lights off. Sudden changes in lighting such as passing through tunnels or under bright lights will not cause system to cycle, due to a 10-60 second delay before amplifier switches system on or off.
A variable time-delay switch control permits the driver to select a delay period before the 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 lights are to be used during daylight hours, 2 methods may be used. If photocell assembly is covered, lights will turn on. This allows lights to be turned off in normal manner when ignition is off. Lights can also be turned on using regular light switch after turning time-delay switch to OFF position.
LIGHTS DO NOT TURN ON IN DARKNESS
Loose connection at light switch or amplifier connector. 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 DO NOT TURN OFF IN DAYLIGHT
Amplifier sensitivity control out of adjustment. Inoperative photocell or amplifier. Poor contact between photocell and socket, or socket disengaged from mounting hole.
LIGHTS DO NOT TURN OFF AFTER IGNITION IS OFF
Ignition switch wire has power with key off. Fuse blown. Inoperative time delay control. Open wiring in circuit. Inoperative amplifier. Malfunctioning photocell.
LIGHTS DO NOT STAY ON PROPER TIME SPAN AFTER IGNITION IS OFF
Inoperative time delay control assembly. Blown taillight fuse. Improper resistance at amplifier connector. Short in wiring circuit. Inoperative amplifier.
WARNING CHIME WILL NOT OPERATE
Open wire in chime circuit. Inoperative door jam switch. Poor connection at light switch. Inoperative amplifier. Blown fuse. Time delay control malfunction.
WARNING CHIME SOUNDS WHEN IT SHOULD NOT
Open wire to ignition light switch. Open ground wire to chime module. Malfunctioning amplifier.
SYSTEM TEST
Note. With time-delay control in ON position and headlight knob in OFF position, check that photocell is not obstructed. Lighting system will work properly when manually operated. Check all fuses for continuity.
- 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 photocell.
- Light should turn off after a 10-60 second delay. 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 off position and after 1 1/2 - 4 1/2 minutes when control is in maximum position.
- Satisfactory performance of steps 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).
TWILIGHT SENTINEL PHOTOCELL TEST
- Disconnect twilight sentinel photocell connector. Turn ignition switch to RUN position. Turn twilight sentinel control on. Turn off light switch.
- Separate twilight sentinel photocell connector. Lights should come on within 60 seconds. If lights come on within 60 seconds, but do not come on with photocell connected and in darkness, replace photocell. If lights never come on, proceed to TWILIGHT SENTINEL AMPLIFIER TEST.
TWILIGHT SENTINEL AMPLIFIER TEST
- Unplug twilight sentinel amplifier connector behind glove box. Turn ignition switch to RUN position. With light switch off, check voltage between Red/White wire and ground. Voltmeter should read battery voltage. If not, check light switch and Red/White wire for open or short.
- Connect voltmeter between Red/White and Black wires. Battery voltage should be present. If not, check both wires for open or short.
- Connect voltmeter between Orange wire and ground. Battery voltage should be present. If not, check taillight fuse and Orange wire for open circuit.
- Connect voltmeter between Pink/White wire and ground. Battery voltage should be present. If not, check Pink/White and Pink wires for open. Check ignition switch.
- Turn ignition switch to OFF position. Connect voltmeter between Pink/White wire and ground. Voltmeter should read zero volt. If voltage is present, replace ignition switch.
- Connect voltmeter between Dark Green/White wire and ground. Voltmeter should read zero volt. If voltage is present, replace light switch.
- Connect voltmeter between Yellow wire and ground. Voltmeter should read zero volt. If not, check light switch. Check Orange, Brown, and Dark Green/White wires for open circuit.
- Turn park light switch on. Connect voltmeter between Yellow wire and ground. Voltmeter should read zero volt. If not, replace light switch.
- Connect voltmeter between Dark Green/White wire. Voltmeter should read battery voltage. If not, check light switch. Check Orange, Brown, and Dark Green/White wire for open.
- Turn headlight switch on. Connect voltmeter between Dark Green/White wire and ground. Battery voltage should be present. If not, check light switch. Check the Orange, Brown, and Dark Green/White wires for open circuit.
- Connect voltmeter between Yellow wire and ground. Battery voltage should be present. If not, check light switch and Yellow wire for open circuit.
- If results were correct from any of the previous steps, reconnect amplifier connector. Turn ignition switch to RUN position. Turn light switch off, and twilight sentinel control on.
- Connect fused jumper between White and Red/White wires. Headlights should go off within 60 seconds. If not, go to next step. If headlights go off within 60 seconds, but does not go off normally in daylight, check White and Black wires for open, then replace photocell as necessary.
- Disconnect amplifier connector. Turn light switch off, disconnect negative battery terminal, and turn twilight sentinel control on.
- Connect ohmmeter between Purple wire and ground. Ohmmeter should read zero ohm. If resistance is okay, replace twilight sentinel amplifier. If not, check twilight sentinel control, Purple wire, and ground for open.
- Turn twilight sentinel control off. Connect ohmmeter between Purple wire and ground. Ohmmeter should read open circuit. If reading is correct, replace twilight sentinel amplifier. If not, check twilight sentinel control, and Purple wire for short.
- Connect ohmmeter between Dark Green/White and Orange wires. Ohmmeter should read zero ohm. If resistance is okay, replace twilight sentinel amplifier. If not, check light switch. Check Orange wire for open.
- Turn twilight sentinel control between MIN and MAX setting. Connect ohmmeter between Black/Yellow and Light Green wires. Ohmmeter should read 500-250,000 ohms (varies with control). If resistance is correct, replace twilight sentinel amplifier. If not, check twilight sentinel control. Check Black/Yellow and Light Green wires for open or short circuit.
AMPLIFIER & PHOTOCELL
Disconnect battery ground. Remove dash top cover. Disconnect electrical connector. Pinch photocell retainer and remove photocell by rotating retainer. Remove glove box shell. Remove ashtray. Remove amplifier retaining screws and amplifier. To install, reverse removal procedure.
WIRING DIAGRAMS
See appropriate chassis wiring diagram in WIRING DIAGRAMS.