Short story.. Stored the car for 4 months as I always do, every year. But this time, when I started her up, the headlights wouldn't pop-up (or down).

Everything else behaves as it should (light sensor works properly, as does the switch, and of course the bulbs work fine (albeit they shine into the engine, lol)). I have to manually "open" them, and since I don't want to do this daily, I drive with them in the "open" position at all times. This is annoying as I really love my cars look with the lights down!

Since both went at the same time, it leads me to rule out the motors (each headlight has its own motor right?). Could it be something simple like the fuse? Does anyone know where it is located, and if this fuse controls anything else besides the headlight motors? If not the fuse, what else could it be?

Thanx in advance. I searched the forums, but all topics are very old and none really satisfactory, besides, I have a second inquiry!

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This question is even more important then the above problem:

Is it possible to bypass the headlight sensor completely? I really don't like automatic lights, I'd like to control them completely manually, with the inside headlight switch. My mechanic told me he has no clue, and GM dealer told me it was impossible, but this is hard to believe.

If it is impossible or very hard, I would be happy with "fooling" the sensor to think its always bright outside. I've done this manually already, but its not a good long-term solution. Basically, an artificial light is always shining on the sensor (but is very localized so its not noticable, and it takes minimal power), which keeps the lights "off" at all times except when I turn them on manually. So, if its impossible to remove the sensor all-together, is there a way to fool it to think its always daylight outside WITHOUT having to shine a light on it at all times?

 

Well, all earlier Firebirds didn't have that daylight sensor. I've acually never seen that option on a 'Bird before but you have a GTA and I'm not too familiar with the 91-92 luxury options. You could get a wiring diagram for your car from a Chilton or Hayes manual and use it to trace the wiring from the sensor to where the dash switch is. Then disable it by cutting it and nicely taping off the ends with quality electrical tape. I'd rather have a competent Pontiac Head Service Tech fix it, 'cuz they can look up how to repair it properly and then if it causes grief, you can make 'em fix it under the warrantee.

It does have a normal light switch right?

 

If it does, it might be faulty from moisture/ usage. I know you said the lights work. Yes, both lights have their own respective motors. The odds of both going at the same time is not likely...possible, but not likely. Hacking the electrical system is never a good idea. Another possibility is that a mouse or chipmunk chewed some of the headlight wiring harness and it is shorting out the circut for the motor relay, or the motor relay is bad. I dunno which one it is exactly, but there's several mounted on the inside of the rad support, next to the radiator. little black boxes, 2 on the pass side, 1 on the drivers? Again Chilton or Hayes manual.

 

Brother Al has good ideas. Like he, I am not as familiar with anything newer than a 1990, but you may want to check the transducer on the firewall next to the brake booster. That is, if the relay leads go nowhere. My lights wouldn't go up or down, but the bulbs themselves worked. Transducer was bad. $5 at the junkyard. Requires no tools for removal/installation. Disconnect green/white wire connector (4 wires) and it simply slides out along the firewall. Just another lead to go on if all else fails...

 

I'll apply some of your solutions to the pop-up problem today and let you know how it goes. In the meantime, if anything more comes up, let me know.

As far as the sensor goes, I am just worried that cutting the wires and bypassing it will actually do the reverse of what I want, meaning it will assume its always "dark", which would be a disaster!

 

I think you missed part of my second post. I don't recommend cutting anything electrical, "Hacking the electrical system is never a good idea", but if you did, tape up the cut wiring with quality electrical tape.

It can be disabled, everything can be. I like to use my BFH to disable a lot of things , but that route won't solve your problem...Seriously tho, go to a Pontiac Dealer and ask to speak with their head tech. Don't call, go there and speak in person. You may have spoken with the shop's parts person or the Service Manager. They wouldn't know much about it and just pass you a line of BS. If they supposedly can't do it, check with another Pontiac dealership. Just don't take it to a car audio/electrical shop! They know radios and alarms, not Pontiac wiring systems.

Yeah, KCGTA, I think you might have hit the nail on the head. That's definately something to check on Trypt. Good luck with your problem.

 

when i first got my 87 t/a, the lights wouldnt come up, come to find out it was the biodegradable bushings that pontiac thoughtw as a good idea to put in there, i replaced them with the ones from hawks and it works fine...i dont know ifthis is your problem, maybe jsut faulty wiring into the headlight, i dont know, i just thougth i'd throw in my 2 cents

 

here's a brutally simple idea for disabling the headlight sensor. Find it, mount it in it's own box and install some sort of LED light right next to it. That should trick it into thinking it's day time all the time. Just wire the light to the ignition switch so it turns on and off with the car.