Bad headlight module?
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 336
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Bad headlight module?
Hey all,
So, this is me getting back to an old issue on my car. I had issue of the headlights on my Firebird only wanting to pop up some days, and not others. Now, they don't seem to pop up at all. Both of the motors are good (when they did pop up w/the flick of the switch, neither had any issues w/moving up or down, and one of the motors is rebuilt), and the lamps both turn on.
I remember hearing that the module on the firewall that controls the lights flipping action can sometimes go bad. How would I go about diagnosing this? Only thing I really have that might come in handy here is a multi-meter, other than tools I could use to swap in another unit. Is there a relay/fuse I should check first? Thanks for any help!
So, this is me getting back to an old issue on my car. I had issue of the headlights on my Firebird only wanting to pop up some days, and not others. Now, they don't seem to pop up at all. Both of the motors are good (when they did pop up w/the flick of the switch, neither had any issues w/moving up or down, and one of the motors is rebuilt), and the lamps both turn on.
I remember hearing that the module on the firewall that controls the lights flipping action can sometimes go bad. How would I go about diagnosing this? Only thing I really have that might come in handy here is a multi-meter, other than tools I could use to swap in another unit. Is there a relay/fuse I should check first? Thanks for any help!
Supreme Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,341
Likes: 10
From: Mooresville NC
Car: LOWERED ♦ CRIMSON METALFLAKE
Engine: ► 400 KUBES ◄
Transmission: 765R4
Axle/Gears: EATON POSI 4.56
Door Prize
In addition to the fuse located here:
There are two circuit breakers in the fuse block which look like two little oblong cans.
Using a voltmeter or test light (the type for testing for voltage, not a continuity tester) probe the headlight module terminal 1A yellow wire, then 1C brown wire, to see if they get power when you turn the headlights on.
The prong on the module is the same one that sends power to the lamps is the same one that sends power to the door module.
Because they open sometimes there is an intermittent connection which you need to find.
Wire up a small 12 volt bulb (a side marker bulb works best).
Connect one lead to ground and the other lead to pin 1A yellow wire on the module.
Make the wires long enuff to bring it into the cockpit.
The next time the doors don’t open observe if the bulb is illuminated.
If it is, you will know that control power is getting to the module therefore test or replace the module.
If the test bulb is not illuminated, you will know that control power is not getting to the module there you merely have to restore that one connection.
◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙
Happy Racing!
◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙
How Come Some Drivers On The Street Don’t Know How To Make A Turn In One Direction Without Starting By Turning In The Opposite Direction?
.
There are two circuit breakers in the fuse block which look like two little oblong cans.
Using a voltmeter or test light (the type for testing for voltage, not a continuity tester) probe the headlight module terminal 1A yellow wire, then 1C brown wire, to see if they get power when you turn the headlights on.
The prong on the module is the same one that sends power to the lamps is the same one that sends power to the door module.
Because they open sometimes there is an intermittent connection which you need to find.
Wire up a small 12 volt bulb (a side marker bulb works best).
Connect one lead to ground and the other lead to pin 1A yellow wire on the module.
Make the wires long enuff to bring it into the cockpit.
The next time the doors don’t open observe if the bulb is illuminated.
If it is, you will know that control power is getting to the module therefore test or replace the module.
If the test bulb is not illuminated, you will know that control power is not getting to the module there you merely have to restore that one connection.
◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙
Happy Racing!
◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙
How Come Some Drivers On The Street Don’t Know How To Make A Turn In One Direction Without Starting By Turning In The Opposite Direction?.
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,928
Likes: 1
From: Georgetown TX
Car: Base 91 'bird
Engine: 3.1 v6
Transmission: 4L60
Axle/Gears: 9-bolt 3.27 & PBR
Re: Bad headlight module?
Before you go buying another module check your ground connections. Especially up under the driver side front near the battery (at least that's the layout on '91 3.1). Mine had the same symptoms before they gave out completely. I bought a replacement module which didn't fix the problem. Cleaning the ground wire did.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Norman, OK
Car: 1988 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: V6
Transmission: Automatic
Re: Bad headlight module?
I have a similar problem and keep seeing this picture posted of these fuses. My firebird is an 88. Are there fuses in the same place on my car? If not, do you know where they might be? I'm headed to get a Haynes/Chilton book and hope that might answer might question too. But, I trust people more than books.
Also, anyone know where to get a replacement module cheap. I've read on here of people having them for $20, but I can only find them for upwards of $75.
Thanks.
Also, anyone know where to get a replacement module cheap. I've read on here of people having them for $20, but I can only find them for upwards of $75.
Thanks.
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