Backup Lamps

The backup lamps turn on when the ignition is ON and the shift lever is moved to reverse. The park/neutral position switch controls the backup lamps.

High Mounted Stoplamp

The high mounted stoplamp is in the center of the rear panel shelf. The high mounted stoplamp operates with the rear stop lamps but does not light during turn signal or hazard system operation.

Daytime Running Lamps

Daytime running lamps are standard equipment on Oldsmobile and Buick models. This system works in conjunction with the twilight sentinel feature in order to control the headlamps. The low beam headlamps turn on at a reduced intensity when the vehicle shift lever is moved out of PARK and at normal intensity during night conditions.

Fog Lamps - Oldsmobile

The fog lamps turn on when the park lamps or the low beam headlamps are turned ON and the fog lamp switch is set to ON.

Front Cornering Lamps

Cornering lamps are an integral part of the sidemarker lamps. On Oldsmobile models, the cornering lamp assemblies are located in the front bumper fascia. On Buick models, the cornering lamp assemblies are located toward the outside of the headlamp assemblies.

Sidemarker Lamps

The sidemarkers are amber in color. The sidemarkers turn on whenever the park lamps are ON. The sidemarker lamp assemblies are located in the front bumper fascia.

Front Park/Turn Signal Lamps

The park/turn signal lamps on Oldsmobile are an integral part of the headlamp assemblies located at the inner edge. The lamp consists of a clear lens, a park bulb, and a dual park/turn signal bulb.

The park/turn signal lamps on the Buick are an integral part of the front sidemarker lamps and are located in the front bumper fascia. The lamp consists of an amber lens, a park bulb, and a dual park/turn signal bulb.

Hazard Flasher

Depressing the hazard warning button energizes the hazard flasher. The hazard flasher operates regardless of the ignition switch position. The turn signals do not work with the hazard flasher on.

When the hazard flashers are operating, the turn signal indicator lamps, and all front and rear turn signal lamps flash. The front side marker lamps also flash. All of the signal lamps will light continuously if the brake pedal is depressed while the hazard flasher is turned on.

Headlamps

Each composite headlamp consists of one halogen low beam bulb and one halogen high beam bulb. The bulbs are not interchangeable. The headlamps are assembled to the headlamp housing panel. The headlamps are adjusted by using the screen/wall method. Refer to Headlamp Aiming . The headlamps are controlled by the head/park lamp switch and the twilight sentinel.

License Plate Lamp

The license plate lamp is located in the license pocket. The lamp illuminates whenever the head/park lamp switch is in the ON position.

Rear Component Lid Lamp

The rear compartment lid lamp is mounted to the rear of the rear compartment lid. The lamp operates whenever you raise the rear compartment lid.

Rear Sidemarker Lamps

The rear side marker lamps are located on each side on the rear bumper fascia. The lamps operate in conjunction with the taillamp circuit. The lamps are activated when the head/park lamp switch is in the ON position.

Taillamps

The taillamps activate when the head/park lamps are turned ON. The stop lamp function increases the illumination of the taillamps when the brake pedal is depressed. The turn signal function is activated when the multi-function lever is moved up or down.

The taillamps consist of a red lens and three bulbs (Buick) or two bulbs (Oldsmobile).

Turn Signal Operation

The turn signal lamps are combined with the parking lamps in the front and with the stop lamps and the taillamps in the rear. The ignition switch must be in the RUN position in order for the turn signal lamps to operate.

With the multi-function turn signal lever in neutral position, stepping on the brake pedal illuminates the rear stop lamps on both sides and the high mounted stop lamp. With the lever operating either turn signal, stepping on the brake pedal turns on the high mounted stop lamp and the stop lamp on the side that is not flashing. The flasher that is used in the circuit controls only the turn signal.

The lane-change turn signal feature is standard equipment. The driver has the option of moving the multi-function turn signal lever to a detent stop when making a partial turn, such as when changing lanes. The signal lamps flash as long as the driver holds the lever in the detent stop position. The signal lamps cancel automatically when the driver releases the lever. Use the detent position in order to signal a shallow turn to change lanes. Move the multi-function turn signal lever past the detent position to the travel limit in either direction in order to provide the conventional turn signal operation.

Twilight Sentinel

The twilight sentinel is a feature which provides for the automatic ON-OFF control of the headlamps in response to the level of ambient light. The twilight sentinel also keeps the lamps ON for a preselected time period after the ignition is turned to the OFF position. The headlamps turn OFF automatically after the preselected time period elapses.

The system consists of a light sensitive photocell sensor, a lamp control module, and a time delay control with an ON/OFF switch. The automatic twilight sentinel circuit parallels the regular head/park lamp switch such that the head/park lamp switch must be OFF for automatic control.

The photocell sensor is mounted with the light sensitive surface face up, in the instrument panel defroster grille, exposing the photocell to the skylight through the windshield. The lamp control module is mounted behind the left hand side of the instrument panel, next to the steering column.

When the ignition switch is on, the head/park lamp switch is off, and the twilight sentinel control is on (any position except at OFF), the system turns on the headlamps whenever road illumination becomes necessary. As daylight increases in the morning and illumination is no longer needed, the system turns the headlamps off.

A time delay circuit in the lamp control module reduces the probability of the headlamps switching on or off while the vehicle passes under items such as viaducts, trees, bright lights, etc. This time is normally 10-30 seconds. The time cannot be adjusted. The variable twilight sentinel control adjusts only the time delay period during which the headlamps remain on after the ignition is turned off. The time delay may be adjusted from a few seconds to 4 minutes.

Setting the twilight sentinel system control to the OFF position allows normal headlamp operation using the head/park lamp switch. If the head/park lamp switch is moved to the ON position , the headlamps remain ON after the ignition is turned OFF, regardless of the setting on the twilight sentinel control. A warning chime sounds when the anyone opens the driver-side door. This chime is a reminder to turn off the head/park lamp switch.

Underhood Lamp - Buick

The underhood lamp lights whenever you raise the hood while the head/park lamp switch is in the ON position.

Ashtray Lamps

The ashtray lamp is located on the top center of the ashtray. The ashtray lamp lights when the park lamps or the headlamps are turned ON.

Courtesy and Reading Lamps

The courtesy lamps and reading lamps are located on the rear outer edge of the headlining module. Push in the switch in order to turn the lamps on and off. The lamps also light when a door is opened or by turning on the interior lamps.

Courtesy Lamps

The courtesy lamps are located beneath the outer ends of the sound insulators. The courtesy lamps light when you open either door or when you turn on the interior lamps.

IP Compartment Lamp

The IP compartment lamp lights when you open the door to the IP compartment and turns off when you close the door.

Lighted Vanity Mirror

The lighted vanity mirrors are located in the center of each sunshade. The lamps turn on and off by opening and closing the vanity mirror cover.

Rear Courtesy Lamp

The rear courtesy lamps light whenever you open any door. The rear courtesy lamps also light by turning on the interior lamps.

The head/park lamp switch is located in the instrument panel to the left of the steering wheel (Buick) or on the multi-function lever at the left of the steering wheel (Oldsmobile). The head/park lamp switch controls the headlamps, taillamps, park lamps, side marker lamps, instrument panel lamps, and courtesy lamps. Automatic on/off exterior lighting control is available with twilight sentinel. An audible alarm warning is wired into the headlamps control system. The audible alarm warning sounds a chime if the head/park lamp switch is on and the ignition key is turned to OFF, LOCK, or ACCY.