auto lights stopped working, please help :(

[1996BLKBauer]

On my 96' Eddie Bauer my Auto lights had just stopped working all together. At first it was very delayed, I started it at work once and it took 20 seconds for the lights to kick on. now they don't turn on at all. no matter how long I wait, I have waited 10 Minute for them to turn on, and nothing.

It's not really a problem, but I always seem to leave the lights on now. I have to use the manual switch. I am used to the lights staying on for a little while, and then shutting off. I usually catch it after I go inside, walk past the front door and see my headlights still on. but It is still very annoying.

anybody have an idea where to start, if this is a problem you have seen before? I could start by breaking out schematic, and get out my multimeter, but I would just be going in blind.

 

[00meangreenXLT]

When the lights are supposed to be on, does the little green light on the rear view mirror next to the autolamp control light up at all? Have you tried messing with the little slider switch on the bottom of the mirror? Sometimes on my friend's 99 limited if you just touch the slider it will cause the lights to turn off or on cause it's kind of loose...that's where I would start.

 

[1996BLKBauer]

I will try that tonight after work. should be dark enough to try it around then. I will report back with what happened after that. It would be nice if it was that easy to fix, I got some DeoxIT that I use on dirty switches on old amps. if it starts to work I will spray some of that in there, and work it in.

 

[bobflood]

When the lights are supposed to be on, does the little green light on the rear view mirror next to the autolamp control light up at all? Have you tried messing with the little slider switch on the bottom of the mirror? Sometimes on my friend's 99 limited if you just touch the slider it will cause the lights to turn off or on cause it's kind of loose...that's where I would start.

+1 on this. Get some electrical contact cleaner and spray it in the slot where the slider is, then move the slider back and forth a few times.

 

[1996BLKBauer]

I messed with the slider for about 10 minutes tonight, it didn't do anything. they did not turn on once. Yes the light is on for the auto light feature. I am thinking, is there a relay for this by chance?

 

[budwich]

Yes... the autolamps uses a lamp relay (in the relay module) to "bypass" things so that you get power where it is needed without touching the headlight switch.

 

[00meangreenXLT]

Yes... the autolamps uses a lamp relay (in the relay module) to "bypass" things so that you get power where it is needed without touching the headlight switch.

+1 definitely check that relay then, since it sounds like the part inside the mirror is working normally

 

[1996BLKBauer]

I will check it out tomorrow after I am done with my classes. I will do the tap the screwdriver trick my dad taught me to see if anything happens... I may even bring it into my autos class because we are going over faults in automotive wiring. I love when my truck makes a good test bed for my class. saves me money, and I learn a lot.

 

[1996BLKBauer]

OK so on Saturday I was going to mes with the relay, I looked up the lights relay in the power distribution box, just to find out that the "Relay" was a 30amp Maxi Fuse? So is there another spot where the relay is hiding? The fuse was fine. Maybe I am looking in the wrong spot?

 

[1996BLKBauer]

On more research there is a "Relay Module" Behind the dash, with a "Headlamp" Relay in it. By the diagram provided by AllData It sees to be tucked away behind the dash to the leaft hand side of the radio, maybe a little bit lower. So is there a easy way to get to this without ripping out the dash?

 

[yavapaires]

On more research there is a "Relay Module" Behind the dash, with a "Headlamp" Relay in it. By the diagram provided by AllData It sees to be tucked away behind the dash to the leaft hand side of the radio, maybe a little bit lower. So is there a easy way to get to this without ripping out the dash?

Don't "ripout the dash", just remove the bezel and the radio.

 

[1996BLKBauer]

Don't "ripout the dash", just remove the bezel and the radio.

I didn't mean it literally. it just looks tucked away in there.

 

[1996BLKBauer]

A little update on this, I was able to find what I believe is the relay/GEM Module. I got a schematic from Shopkey5. I was able to exclude the 5 fuses (3 in the cab, and 2 in the power distribution box.) that are tied in with the auto light circuit. All where fine. the mirror also works just fine, I cover up the sensor, and the light turns on, uncover it to daylight, and it turns off. so the mirror is good.

The Relay/GEM module I found is next to the headunit, with I believe is 3 or 4 plugs going into it. it has a part number of F67B-14B205-BA... I did not take it out yet. but it seems that all 3 connections that are tied into the headlamp circuit are going to the one box, with the exception of the RAP Module.

Before I take this module out I just want to make sure I am taking out, and checking the right thing. Also are the relays even replacable? Since I don't know what the inside of the module looks like...

 

[Joe Dirt]

Just be warned- if you mess with the GEM module, it controls just about everything in and on your truck both directly and indirectly... I wouldn't poke around inside or mess with it unless you have a spare handy, needs to be the same part number.

 

[budwich]

You need to look into the headlamp relay not the GEM. Find out what happening to that relay and you will likely find your solution. Get a meter and check it out.

 

[sport97]

I don't trust the auto lights. I used mine for 2 years, then one night I crossed over a set of tracks and the bumps caused my lights to cut off for a second. Since that day I have used the regular light switch. I don't trust it with my safety at night.

 

[1996BLKBauer]

The relay for the auto lamp function is in the GEM module, or that is what AllData, and ShopKey5 say. I have checked all other fuses, and the relay for the head lamps, the head lamps still, turn on when i use the switch, but they will not turn on with the auto lamp.

my Teacher said i should find the color wire coming from the Mirror, back probe them, and see if I am getting power in, and then do the same for the wires going out to turn the lights on, if nothing goes in, then it is the mirror, if nothing goes out, then it is the GEM, or something in it, Maybe the relays? if they actually live in there?

 

[budwich]

Hopefully, someone will search thru the schematics but from my memory, the headlamp relay is a relay and it is in the relay module... not the GEM which is a totally different beast. From memory, the autolamp sensor "throws" a ground onto "said relay" to cause it to operate which in turn sends the voltage needed to run your lights. The light switch DOES NOT use the headlamp relay as far as I know/remember.... hence, the reason why your lights work from the switch.

 

[bobflood]

Hopefully, someone will search thru the schematics but from my memory, the headlamp relay is a relay and it is in the relay module... not the GEM which is a totally different beast. From memory, the autolamp sensor "throws" a ground onto "said relay" to cause it to operate which in turn sends the voltage needed to run your lights. The light switch DOES NOT use the headlamp relay as far as I know/remember.... hence, the reason why your lights work from the switch.

Looking at the schematic, it appears that the headlight relay is involved no matter how the headlights are activated - autosensor, RAP for flash w alarm, flash to pass via MFS, or manually turned on via headlight switch. There is only one wire in the entire headlamp circuit going to the GEM - I believe that is for the timer to turn off the headlights to avoid killing the battery. I still believe that it is the switch in the mirror or the autolamp light sensor itself that is causing the OPs issue.

 

[budwich]

well.... not quite... depends what you mean by "involved". It IS connected to the circuit but it doesn't necessarily operate depending on whether there is a ground coming from the "auto stuff" which it does work with. IF you track the head light switch, you will see that it powers the lights "directly" (ie thru the MFS) and doesn't need or use the headlamp relay. That's my read on the circuit with wonderful links provide by Bob in other posts... I am looking at this thru a "challenged screen" but I think if you look closer, you will see this operation.

Anyways, since the headlight switch method works and the auto function (headlamp relay) doesn't, one needs to confirm the conditions (electrical states) in and around said relay.... in my opinion.