GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Exterior Lamps

The exterior lighting system includes the following components:

    • Headlamps (high and low beam)
    • Front fog lamps
    • Rear fog lamps
    • Front park/turn signal lamps
    • Front position lamps
    • Side repeater lamps
    • Taillamps
    • Rear turn signal lamps
    • Front sidemarker lamps
    • Rear sidemarker lamps
    • High-mounted stoplamp
    • Backup lamps
    • License lamps

This system also includes all wiring controls and related hardware required for the operation of these lamps.

Headlamps

Low Beam Operation

The headlamp switch is used to operate the low beam headlamps. The headlamp switch is located on the left side of the instrument panel. Pulling the knob of the headlamp switch out to the furthest position will turn ON the low beam headlamps.

A warning tone will sound as a reminder to turn OFF the headlamp switch, when the ignition switch is in the OFF, LOCK or ACC positions and the driver's door is opened.

High Beam Operation

The turn signal/multifunction switch is used to operate the high beam headlamps. The turn signal/multifunction switch is located on the LH side of the steering column. Pulling the lever of the turn signal/multifunction switch toward you until the rear detent position can be felt and then releasing the lever, will cause the headlamp operation to switch between low and high or high and low beam, depending upon the starting point.

High Beam Indicator

During operation of the high beam headlamps, the high beam indicator located on the instrument panel cluster will be illuminated.

Flash-to-Pass Operation

The turn signal/multifunction switch is also used to operate the high beam headlamps in the flash-to-pass mode. Pulling the lever of the turn signal/multifunction switch toward you slightly will activate the high beam headlamps. Holding the lever in this position will maintain high beam headlamp operation for as long as needed. When the lever is released, the previous headlamp operation will resume. Flash-to-pass may be used whether the headlamps are ON or OFF.

Automatic Headlamps

The automatic headlamp system has two primary components; an automatic headlamp control module, (located in the instrument panel) and an ambient light sensor, (located on the top of the instrument panel upper trim plate along the base of the windshield).

The automatic headlamp system operates the low beam headlamps along with the park/sidemarker/license lamps and instrument panel lamps, when the following conditions exist:

    • The ignition switch is ON
    • The headlamp switch is OFF
    • The park brake is released

To temporarily disable the automatic headlamp system while idling the vehicle, if necessary:

  1. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF or LOCK position.
  2. Set the park brake.
  3. Start the engine and allow it to idle.

The automatic headlamp system will remain disabled until the park brake is released.

Low Light Operation

When the ambient light sensor detects that low lighting conditions exist outside the vehicle, the automatic headlamp control module will operate the low beam headlamps, the park/sidemarker/license lamps and instrument panel lamps.

Fog Lamps -- Front

The front fog lamps are located in the bumper fascia beneath the headlamp assemblies. The front fog lamp switch is located below the headlamp switch on the left side of the instrument panel. Pressing the front fog lamp switch button will turn the front fog lamps ON, as long as the parking lamps are on. When the front fog lamps are ON, an indicator on the front fog lamp switch will illuminate. Pressing the switch again will turn the front fog lamps OFF.

Fog Lamps -- Rear

The rear fog lamps are located in the rear compartment lid applique, next to the back-up lamps. The rear fog lamp switch is located below the headlamp switch on the left side of the instrument panel. Pressing the rear fog lamp switch button will turn the rear fog lamps ON, as long as the parking lamps are ON. When the rear fog lamps are ON, an indicator on the rear fog lamp switch will illuminate. Pressing the switch again will turn the rear fog lamps OFF.

Turn Signal Lamps

The front turn signal lamps are made up of the front park/turn signal/sidemarker lamps located on the outboard ends of the headlamp assemblies and the front side repeater lamps located on the side of the front fenders, below and forward of the outside rearview mirrors. The rear turn signal lamps are located in the tail lamp assemblies. The front turn signal lamps flash with the rear turn signal lamps when a turn is initiated through using the turn signal/multifunction lever. The front turn signal lamp and the front side repeater lamp will flash in unison if the park lamps are OFF, but the lamps will flash alternately if the park lamps are ON. The turn signals will operate only with the ignition switch in the RUN position and will not operate during hazard flasher operation.

Position Lamps

The position lamps are located outboard of the low-beam headlamps in the headlamp assemblies. The position lamps operate when the headlamp switch is in either ON position.

Side Repeater Lamps (Front)

The front side repeater lamps are located on the side of the front fenders, below and forward of the outside rearview mirrors. The front side repeater lamps will operate with the turn signal lamps when a turn is initiated through using the turn signal/multifunction lever. The front side repeater lamp and the front turn signal lamp will flash in unison if the park lamps are OFF, but the lamps will flash alternately if the park lamps are ON.

Park/Sidemarker Lamps

The front park lamps are made up of the front park/turn signal/sidemarker lamps located on the outboard ends of the headlamp assemblies. The rear park lamps are located in the tail lamp assemblies. The headlamp switch is used to operate the park lamps. The headlamp switch is located on the left side of the instrument panel. Pulling the knob of the headlamp switch out to the middle position will turn ON the park lamps.

A warning tone will sound as a reminder to turn OFF the headlamp switch, when the ignition switch is in the OFF, LOCK or ACC positions and the driver's door is opened.

Stoplamps

There are stoplamps incorporated into the tail lamp assemblies as well as a high-mounted stoplamp, located on the rear shelf, centered along the lower edge of the rear window. The stoplamps operate whenever the brake pedal is depressed.

Backup Lamps

The backup lamps are located in the rear compartment lid applique. The back-up lamps operate when the ignition switch is in the RUN position and the transaxle range selector lever is in REVERSE.

License Lamps

The license lamps are located in the rear compartment lid applique, and are in operation whenever the headlamp switch is in either ON position.

Interior Lamps

The interior lighting system includes the following components:

    • Instrument panel cluster/controls/switch illumination lamps
    • Dome lamp
    • Side rail lamps
    • Rearview mirror (reading/courtesy) lamps
    • Vanity mirror lamps
    • Instrument panel compartment lamp
    • Ashtray lamp
    • Rear door cigar lighter lamps
    • Rear compartment lamp

This system also includes all wiring controls and related hardware required for the operation of these lamps.

Instrument Panel Cluster/Controls/Switch Illumination Lamps

The instrument panel cluster, the radio and HVAC controls and the interior switches illumination lamps (with illumination provisions), are in operation whenever the headlamp switch is in either ON position. The brightness level or dimming of these lamps is controlled by the instrument panel dimmer switch, which is incorporated into the headlamp switch.

Dome Lamp

The dome lamp is mounted to the headliner, above and slightly rear of the front seats. The dome lamp is activated whenever a door is opened or whenever the IP dimmer lamp switch (headlamp switch) is rotated past the maximum brightness setting to the next detent position.

Side Rail Lamps

The side rail lamps are integrated into the rear assist handle assemblies, mounted to the headliner. The side rail lamps are activated whenever a door is opened or whenever the IP dimmer lamp switch (headlamp switch) is rotated past the maximum brightness setting to the next detent position. The side rail lamps may be operated individually by depressing the button on the side rail lamp.

Rearview Mirror (Reading/Courtesy) Lamps

The rearview mirror lamps are integrated into the underside of the rearview mirror housing. The rearview mirror lamps are activated whenever a door is opened or whenever the IP dimmer lamp switch (headlamp switch) is rotated past the maximum brightness setting to the next detent position. The rearview mirror lamps can also be activated and utilized individually as reading lamps, by depressing the appropriate lamp switch (located on the mirror housing).

Vanity Mirror Lamps

The vanity mirror lamps are integrated into the mirror housing on the sunshade assembly. The vanity mirror lamps are activated whenever the mirror cover is opened.

Instrument Panel Compartment Lamp

The instrument panel (IP) compartment lamp is integrated into the IP compartment lamp switch, which is located in the rearward, upper edge of the IP compartment opening. The compartment lamp is activated whenever the IP compartment door is opened.

Ashtray Lamp

The ashtray lamp is located on the underside of the ashtray bracket, just above the ashtray drawer. The ashtray lamp is activated whenever the headlamp switch is in either ON position.

Rear Door Cigar Lighter Lamps

The rear door cigar lighter lamps are located in the trim ring around the base of the door cigar lighters on the armrest of each of the rear doors. The rear door cigar lighter lamps are activated whenever the headlamp switch is in either ON position.

Rear Compartment Lamp

The rear compartment lamp is located on the underside of the rear shelf support. The rear compartment lamp operates whenever the rear compartment lid is raised.