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For 1990-2009 cars only

Daytime Running Lamps Malfunction w/o TT6

Diagnostic Instructions

    • Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
    • Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
    •  Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open/High Resistance

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

HDM Relay Fuse B+

2

2

--

--

Low Beam Headlamp Control

2

2

2

--

HDM Relay Control

B2575 00

B2575 00

B2575 00

--

Ambient Light Sensor Signal

B2645 00

B2645 00

B2645 00

--

Ambient Light Sensor Low Reference

1

B2645 00

1

--

HDM Relay Ground

--

2

--

--

Left Low Beam Headlamp Ground

--

2

--

--

Right Low Beam Headlamp Ground

--

2

--

--

1. Daytime Running Lamp Malfunction

2. Headlamp Malfunction - Low Beam

Circuit/System Description

The ambient light sensor is a light sensitive transistor that varies its voltage signal to the body control module (BCM) in response to changes to the outside (ambient) light level. When the BCM receives this signal it will either turn on the daytime running lamps (DRL) through the HDM using the reduced output or the headlamps at full intensity for auto headlamp operation. Any function or condition that turns on the headlights will cancel the daytime running lamps operation. The daytime running lamps (DRL) are the low beam headlights at a reduced intensity. With the headlight switch in the OFF position, the headlights will either be turned ON or OFF, after an approximate 8 second delay depending on whether daylight or low light conditions are sensed. When the BCM signals the HDM for DRL operation in daylight conditions, the HDM illuminates the low beam headlights at a reduced intensity. The DRL will operate when the ignition switch is in the RUN position, the gear selector is not in the PARK position and the parking brake is released. When these conditions have been met and the ambient light sensor indicates daytime conditions, the DRL will illuminate.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Headlights/Daytime Running Lights (DRL) Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Description and Operation

Exterior Lighting Systems Description and Operation

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Connector Repairs
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Wiring Repairs

Scan Tool Reference

Control Module References for scan tool information

Circuit/System Verification

  1. Ignition ON, observe the scan tool Ambient Light Sensor parameter voltage while carefully supplying sufficient light to simulate daylight conditions to the ambient light sensor, then covering to simulate darkness. The voltage reading should change from approximately 1.75 to 4.9 volts.
  2. If the reading does not change between light and dark, refer to the Ambient Light Sensor Malfunction.
  3. Ignition ON, command the Daytime Running Lamps ON and OFF with a scan tool. The Daytime Running Lamps should turn ON and OFF.
  4. If the daytime running lamps do not turn ON and OFF, refer to the Daytime Running Lamps Malfunction.

Circuit/System Testing

Ambient Light Sensor Malfunction

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the ambient light sensor.
  2. Ignition OFF, test for less than 5.0 ohms between the low reference circuit terminal C and ground.
  3. If greater than the specified range, test the low reference circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
  4. Ignition ON, verify the scan tool light sensor parameter is greater than 4.5 volts.
  5. If less than the specified range, test the signal circuit for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
  6. Install a 3A fused jumper wire between the signal circuit terminal D and the low reference circuit terminal C. Verify the scan tool Light Sensor parameter is less than 1.0 volt.
  7. If greater than the specified range, test the signal circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
  8. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the ambient light sensor.

Daytime Running Lamps Malfunction

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the HDM relay.
  2. Test for less than 5.0 ohms between the ground circuit terminal 6 and ground.
  3. If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  4. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp does not illuminate between the control circuit terminal 4 and ground.
  5. If the test lamp illuminates, test the control circuit for a short to voltage.
  6. Verify that a test lamp illuminates between the B+ circuit terminal 2 and ground.
  7. If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the B+ circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, and the B+ circuit fuse is open, test the control circuit terminal 4 for a short to ground.
  8. Disconnect the harness connector at the inoperative low beam headlamp.
  9. Test for less than 5.0 ohms between the low beam headlamp ground circuit terminal D and ground.
  10. If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  11. Connect the harness connector at the low beam headlamp.
  12. Connect a 15A fused jumper wire between the B+ circuit terminal 2 and the low beam headlamp control circuit terminal 4. Verify the low beam headlamps are illuminated at full intensity.
  13. If the low beam headlamps do not illuminate at full intensity, test the control circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the inoperative low beam headlamp.
  14. Connect a test lamp between the relay control circuit terminal 5 and the relay ground circuit terminal 6.
  15. Command the Daytime Running Lamps ON and OFF with a scan tool. The test lamp should illuminate at low intensity and go out when changing between the commanded states.
  16. If the test lamp is always ON, test the control circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
    If the test lamp is always OFF, test the control circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
  17. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the HDM relay.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Ambient Light Sensor Replacement
    •  Headlamp Bulb Replacement
    •  Control Module References for BCM replacement, programming, and setup

Daytime Running Lamps Malfunction w/ TT6

Diagnostic Instructions

    • Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
    • Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
    •  Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open/High Resistance

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

HAZRD Fuse B+

1

1

--

--

Ambient Light Sensor Signal

B2645 00

B2645 00

B2645 00

--

Left Front Turn Signal Control

1

1

1

--

Right Front Turn SIgnal Control

1

1

1

--

Ambient Light Sensor Low Reference

2

B2645 00

2

--

Left Front Turn Signal Ground

--

1

--

--

Right Front Turn SIgnal Ground

--

1

--

--

1. Turn Signal Malfunction

2. Daytime Running Lamps Malfunction

Circuit/System Description

The ambient light sensor is a light sensitive transistor that varies its voltage signal to the body control module (BCM) in response to changes to the outside (ambient) light level. When the BCM receives this signal it will turn on the front turn signal lamps at full intensity. Any function or condition that turns on the headlights will cancel the DRL operation. With the headlight switch in the OFF position, the headlamps will either be turned ON or OFF, after an approximate 8 second delay depending on whether daylight or low light conditions are sensed. When the BCM signals the turn signals for DRL operation in daylight conditions, the turn signal/hazard flasher module illuminates the turn signal lamps. The DRL will operate when the ignition switch is in the RUN position, the gear selector is not in the PARK position and the parking brake is released. When these conditions have been met and the ambient light sensor indicates daytime conditions, the DRL will illuminate.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Headlights/Daytime Running Lights (DRL) Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Description and Operation

Exterior Lighting Systems Description and Operation

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Connector Repairs
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Wiring Repairs

Scan Tool Reference

Control Module References for scan tool information

Circuit/System Verification

  1. Ignition ON, observe the front turn signal lamps while the hazard switch is ON.
  2. If none of the lamps flash normally, refer to Hazard Lamps Malfunction
    If one of the front lamps flash normal, refer to Turn Signal Lamps and/or Indicators Malfunction
  3. Ignition ON, observe the scan tool Ambient Light Sensor parameter voltage while carefully supplying sufficient light to simulate daylight conditions to the ambient light sensor, then covering to simulate darkness. The voltage reading should change from approximately 1.75 to 4.9 volts.
  4. If the reading does not change between light and dark, refer to the Ambient Light Sensor Malfunction.
  5. Ignition ON, command the Daytime Running Lamps ON and OFF with a scan tool. The low beam headlamps should turn ON and OFF.
  6. If the low beam headlamps do not turn ON and OFF, refer to the Daytime Running Lamps Malfunction.

Circuit/System Testing

Ambient Light Sensor Malfunction

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the ambient light sensor.
  2. Ignition OFF, verify that a test lamp illuminates between the low reference circuit terminal C and B+.
  3. If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the low reference circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
  4. Ignition ON, verify the scan tool Light Sensor parameter is greater than 4.5 volts.
  5. If less than the specified range, test the signal circuit for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
  6. Install a 3A fused jumper wire between the signal circuit terminal D and the low reference circuit terminal C. Verify the scan tool Light Sensor parameter is less than 1.0 volt.
  7. If greater than the specified range, test the signal circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
  8. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the ambient light sensor.

Daytime Running Lamps Malfunction

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the X2 harness connector at the BCM.
  2. Igntion ON, connect a fused jumper wire from the DRL signal circuit terminal E10 to ground.
  3. If the front turn signal lamps are not illuminated, test the DRL signal circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the turn signal/hazard flasher module.
  4. If all circuits test normal, replace the BCM.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Ambient Light Sensor Replacement
    •  Hazard and Turn Signal Flasher Replacement
    •  Park/Turn Signal Lamp Bulb Replacement
    •  Control Module References for BCM replacement, programming, and setup