Headlights - Automatic Oldsmobile Toronado Trofeo

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.

Toronado & Trofeo Only

1. Adjusting screw is reached through a hole in right side of amplifier. Each mark around the hole represents about 5 minutes of daylight. Turn screw clockwise to make lights turn on earlier and counterclockwise for later (darker) in the evening.
2. To test photocell, measure voltage to ground with a digital meter at White wire of photocell. It should vary from less than 2 volts with the photocell covered to more than 9 volts in bright light.

Toronado & Trofeo

Defective photocell. Incorrect sensitivity adjustment.

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.

PRE-TESTING CHECK

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.

SYSTEM TEST

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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

1. Enter BCM (Body Control Module) diagnostics. Refer to appropriate SELF-DIAGNOSTICS article in ENGINE PERFORMANCE. Select BCM output test BO05. If BCM displays LO, headlights and exterior lights should come on. If not, perform TWILIGHT HEADLIGHT/PARKLIGHT RELAY test.
2. If BCM displays HI, headlights and exterior lights should be off. If not, perform TWILIGHT HEADLIGHT/PARKLIGHT RELAY test. If BCM display does not cycle from LO to HI, replace BCM.

TWILIGHT SENTINEL TEST

1. Enter BCM diagnostics. Select BCM data test BD43. Set twilight sentinel switch to MIN position, BCM should display "10". If not, replace left switch assembly. If display was correct, proceed to step 3).
2. Set twilight sentinel switch to MAX position, BCM should display "90". If not, replace left switch assembly. If displays was correct, go to next step.
3. Select BCM output test BO05. With BCM displaying LO, headlights and exterior lights should turn on. With BCM displaying HI, headlights and exterior lights should turn off. If it does, proceed to TWILIGHT HEADLIGHT/PARK LIGHT RELAY TEST.
4. If headlights and exterior lights cycle on and off, go to step 5). If BCM display does not cycle from LO to HI, replace BCM.
5. Select BCM data test BD44. Expose photocell to bright sunlight or a very bright incandescent light. BCM should display approximately "25" or less. If BCM display value is correct, replace BCM. If not, proceed to step 7).
6. Cover photocell with cardboard. BCM should display approximately "90" or more. If BCM display value is correct, replace BCM. If not, proceed to step 7).
7. Turn ignition switch to RUN position, expose photocell to bright sunlight or a very bright incandescent light. Connect voltmeter between BCM White/Black wire connector and ground. Voltmeter should read one volt or less. If not, replace photocell. If voltage is okay, replace BCM.
8. Cover photocell with cardboard. Connect voltmeter between BCM White/Black wire connector and ground. Voltmeter should read 4 volts or more. If not, replace photocell. If voltage is okay, replace BCM.

TWILIGHT HEADLIGHT RELAY TEST

1. Disconnect twilight headlight connector from interior relay center. Enter BCM diagnostics and select BCM output test BO05.
2. Connect test light between Orange/Dark Blue (Black/Orange on Toronado) wire and ground. Test light should come on and BCM displays HI or LO. If not, check low beam circuit breaker No. 21 and wires for open circuit.
3. On Eldorado and Seville, connect test light between Orange/Dark Blue and Yellow wires. Test light should come on and BCM displays HI or LO. If not, check Yellow wire for open circuit.
4. On all models, connect test light between Orange wire and ground. Test light should come on and BCM displays HI or LO. If not, check BCM fuse and Orange wire for open circuit.
5. Connect test light between Orange and Black/Pink wires. If test light does not come on and BCM displays LO, check Black/Pink wire for open circuit. If test light comes on and BCM displays HI, check Black/Pink wire for short to ground.
6. On Toronado, connect a fused jumper between Black/Orange and Tan wires. Headlights should come on. If not, check or repair Tan wire.
7. On all models, if results from the previous steps were correct, replace twilight headlight relay.

TWILIGHT PARK LIGHT RELAY TEST

1. Disconnect twilight park light connector from interior relay center. Enter BCM diagnostics and select BCM output test BO05.
2. Connect test light between Orange wire and ground. Test light should come on and BCM displays HI or LO. If not, check or repair Orange wire.
3. On Eldorado and Seville, connect test light between Orange and Dark Green wires. Test light should come on and BCM displays HI or LO. If not, check taillights fuse No. 15 and Orange wire for open circuit.
4. On all models, connect test light between Orange and Black/Pink wires. If test light does not come on and BCM displays LO, check Black/Pink wire for open circuit. If test light comes on and BCM displays HI, check Black/Pink wire for short to ground.
5. On Toronado, connect a fused jumper between Orange and Brown wires. If park lights come on, check or repair Brown wire.
6. On all models, if all results from the previous steps were correct, replace twilight park light relay.

Eldorado & Seville

Remove windshield defroster grille. Remove photocell and electrical connector. To install, reverse removal procedure.

Riviera

1. Disconnect battery ground. Remove glove box shell and lower right side sound absorbing panel retaining screws to gain access to lower trim panel screws. Remove center trim panel by pulling straight out.
2. Remove right trim panel. Disconnect electrical connector and remove amplifier retaining screws and bolts. Disconnect photocell electrical connector. Pop up and rotate retainer. Remove photocell. To install, reverse removal procedure.

Disconnect negative battery terminal. Remove lower right sound absorbing panel. 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. To install, reverse removal procedure.

WIRING DIAGRAM

Note. Twilight Photocell located on wiring diagram at E 25.

Twilight Photocell. Scheme 1