DESCRIPTION
System automatically controls on-off operation of headlights, tail lights and instrument panel lights in response to amount of daylight 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 switch is on, the headlight switch is off and the control ring pointer is turned on (any position on the dial counterclockwise from "OFF" position). 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. If amplifier has a label affixed to it, adjust amplifier as outlined on label. If amplifier does not have a label, use following procedure for sensitivity adjustment.
If a photocell or amplifier is malfunctioning, both must be replaced as a matched set since no provision is made for adjusting a mismatched set. However, if turn-on or turn-off time is not correct, a recommended procedure to advance or retard time by fifteen minutes is used. Adjust amplifier as follows
HEADLIGHTS ON TOO LATE, OFF TOO EARLY
With ignition and lights turned off, cover photocell to block out light. Check resistance between terminals "J" and "L" on amplifier connector, with time delay in any on position. Record resistance reading. Adjust control adjustment screw on amplifier until resistance reading is 1/2 of previous reading. If amplifier has been previously adjusted, set resistance to 4100-4500 ohms.
HEADLIGHTS ON TOO EARLY, OFF TOO LATE
Follow same procedure as previous adjustment, except adjust control adjustment screw on amplifier until resistance reading is 1 1/2 times previous reading. Again, if amplifier has been previously adjusted, set resistance to 4100-4500 ohms.
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.
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 BUZZER WILL NOT OPERATE
Open wiring in buzzer circuit. Inoperative door jam switch. Bad connection at light switch. Inoperative amplifier.
TESTING
Note. Be sure time-delay control is "ON", photocell is not obstructed, lighting system works properly when manually operated, headlight knob is "OFF", and all fuses are good.
SYSTEM TEST
- With Sentinel "OFF", check for normal operation of headlight switch. With lights in manual "ON" position, and ignition off, open a door. Warning buzzer or tone should operate. Turn light switch "OFF".
- Turn Sentinel "ON" and cover photocell. Turn ignition on and lights should come on automatically within 10 seconds. Remove cover from photocell and shine bright light into the photocell.
- Light should turn off after 10 seconds and before 60 seconds. Cover photocell and wait for light to turn on. Turn ignition off. Lights should turn off after a time delay.
- 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.
AMPLIFIER & PHOTOCELL
Note. Should it be necessary to replace a photocell or amplifier, both units should be replaced as a matched set.
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 (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 (88 & 98)
- Disconnect battery ground. Remove left sound absorber. Remove lower trim panel. Remove 2 screws attaching amplifier mounting bracket to cluster carrier. Disconnect electrical connector and remove amplifier.
- Remove 2 screws attaching left speaker grille to instrument panel pad and lift speaker grille up. Remove photocell socket from speaker grille by twisting socket counterclockwise and pulling out. Pull photocell straight out of socket.
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.
Installation (All Models)
To install, reverse removal procedure.
