Automatic Lights Problem

[ComputerPerson]

When it gets dark, the headlights come on automatically, but the dash lights and parking lights and tail lights don't.

Everything works OK if the lights are manually turned on from the headlight switch.

The daytime running lights work OK. (they transition from dark to light except for the dash/tail/parking lights problem) and work properly in daylight.

They were working fine, but one day there was a loud buzzing from under the hood when the car was started, and since then the buzzing no longer happens but she (mrs. ComputerPerson)now has the lights problem.

I noticed 3 relays on the passenger side under the hood near the air intake cowl, and another wierd looking realy thingy attached to the radiator frame right in the middle under the hood latch where I THINK the buzzing noise was coming from. They all seem to be in the lighting system from hte looks of the wiring, but I have no idea how to test them or what they do for that matter.

Can anyone help? At 90 bucks an hour I really don't want to take it to the dealer.

I have looked at the wiring diagram, but I still don't know which parts are where, or which part (or spliced in diode) may be at fault.

[ccarr8705]

Have you thought about turning the little wheel type thing by your foglight switch?

[ComputerPerson]

Thanks for the thought, but the little thingy by the fog lamp switch doesn't turn on the parking and tail lamps, it just dims the dash lights.

Like I said before, everything works when using the light switch, it's just the auto mode that doesn't work properly.

[ccarr8705]

my bad then. I thought you meant the interior lights.

[rixGAphx]

I think it's all related to the Daytime Running Lights (DRL).
I *think* there's a separate relay for this system, and I *think* it's located in the side panel of the front passenger footwell.

Do a search on this BB for 'DRL', there have been several articles about bypassing/disabling this system.

-Rick

[ComputerPerson]

Actually I found the DRL module, its behind the radio.

I did a search and read all the threads on the DRL on the site before I posted. They deal with disabling the DRL. I don't want to disable the DRL, its a great safety feature and I wouldn't want to be without it.

The problem is in the automatic lights that turn on by themselves after dusk. "Twilight Sentinal" was the old name for it as I recall.

Anyways the headlights turn on properly, just the dash tail and marker lights don't. And the DRL works properly, so I don't want to mess with it.

There is a tail-lamp relay in the wiring diagram that I suspect, or maybe a diode or the auto-lamp relay. I just can't identify them to test them out and I don't know where they are located.

I can find a bunch of relays but I don't know which is which or what reading I am supposed to get on a voltmeter.