Auto-headlights dimmer than manual
Solonys
12-11-2006, 03:31 PM
My 98 intrigue's automatic headlights are noticably dimmer than if i turn the switch for the headlights. like, significantly dimmer. Is there a fuse i need to check, or is it something more of a pain in the ass?
panzer dragoon
12-13-2006, 11:32 AM
is this during the day or night that you are looking at your headlamps brightness level.
Solonys
12-13-2006, 07:29 PM
Its at night, up against the garage door, or against the concrete wall across the street, and im not the only one who notices the differance
panzer dragoon
12-15-2006, 10:05 AM
1. If your high beams are on at night:
I think your DRL sensor is bad. You car thinks it's always sunny out = high beams on normally (DRL on) except when you turn on the lights (DRL off).
typical Intrigue:
daytime: highbeams are on (daytime running lights on)
nighttime: lowbeams
your Intrigue:
acts just like the normal daytime Intrigue -only at night.
2. If you are for sure these are only your low-beams and there is a difference in brightness in the same bulb (high and low have seperate bulbs). You have corrosion (resistance problem).
The bulb and wiring should be right at ~3 Ohms and no more. 55W bulbs (sylvania 2006 = low beam) 55Watts = 12.8V x (12.8V/R) some of these bulbs are listed at 51W. 51W bulb = 3.21 Ohms. The higher the resistance = the less current that can gothru the light (voltage constant). Voltage = current x resistance
I think your DRL sensor is bad. You car thinks it's always sunny out = high beams on normally (DRL on) except when you turn on the lights (DRL off).
typical Intrigue:
daytime: highbeams are on (daytime running lights on)
nighttime: lowbeams
your Intrigue:
acts just like the normal daytime Intrigue -only at night.
2. If you are for sure these are only your low-beams and there is a difference in brightness in the same bulb (high and low have seperate bulbs). You have corrosion (resistance problem).
The bulb and wiring should be right at ~3 Ohms and no more. 55W bulbs (sylvania 2006 = low beam) 55Watts = 12.8V x (12.8V/R) some of these bulbs are listed at 51W. 51W bulb = 3.21 Ohms. The higher the resistance = the less current that can gothru the light (voltage constant). Voltage = current x resistance
panzer dragoon
12-17-2006, 09:23 PM
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Headlamps:
Battery voltage is applied continuously to the headlamps through two fuse. The DRL/EXT LAMPS fuse for the left side headlamp and the EXT LAMPS fuse for the right side headlamp. When the headlamp switch is turned to the HEAD position, ground is applied through the headlamp switch to the BCM using the headlamp switch output circuit. When the BCM receives the headlamp switch output signal, it applies a ground to the headlamp relay coil control circuit. When a ground is applied to the headlamp relay coil control circuit this engages the headlamp relay, closing the switch contacts and applies a ground through the headlamp relay to the headlamp relay contact circuit to the headlamp dimmer switch. Depending on the headlamp dimmer switch position the ground circuit would then be applied to either the high beam headlamps or the low beam headlamp turning them on.
DRL:
B+ is applied continuously to both the coil and switch side of the DRL Relay:
In Day Mode: The BCM applies a ground to the DRL Relay coil control circuit to the DRL relay. This energizes the relay and allows B+ to be applied through the high beam DRL feed circuit to the high beam headlamps in series. This illuminates the high beam headlamp at reduced intensity
In Low Light Mode: the BCM removes the ground from the DRL relay coil circuit. This disengages the DRL relay and allows B+ to be applied directly to the high beam headlamp allowing them to be controlled by the headlamp dimmer switch. The BCM then applies a ground to the headlamp relay coil control circuit and turns the headlamps on through the same headlamp control circuit as normal headlamp switch operation.
Headlamps:
Battery voltage is applied continuously to the headlamps through two fuse. The DRL/EXT LAMPS fuse for the left side headlamp and the EXT LAMPS fuse for the right side headlamp. When the headlamp switch is turned to the HEAD position, ground is applied through the headlamp switch to the BCM using the headlamp switch output circuit. When the BCM receives the headlamp switch output signal, it applies a ground to the headlamp relay coil control circuit. When a ground is applied to the headlamp relay coil control circuit this engages the headlamp relay, closing the switch contacts and applies a ground through the headlamp relay to the headlamp relay contact circuit to the headlamp dimmer switch. Depending on the headlamp dimmer switch position the ground circuit would then be applied to either the high beam headlamps or the low beam headlamp turning them on.
DRL:
B+ is applied continuously to both the coil and switch side of the DRL Relay:
In Day Mode: The BCM applies a ground to the DRL Relay coil control circuit to the DRL relay. This energizes the relay and allows B+ to be applied through the high beam DRL feed circuit to the high beam headlamps in series. This illuminates the high beam headlamp at reduced intensity
In Low Light Mode: the BCM removes the ground from the DRL relay coil circuit. This disengages the DRL relay and allows B+ to be applied directly to the high beam headlamp allowing them to be controlled by the headlamp dimmer switch. The BCM then applies a ground to the headlamp relay coil control circuit and turns the headlamps on through the same headlamp control circuit as normal headlamp switch operation.
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