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Pesky Headlamp non function problem...NEED ADVICE

S

Synergy LS

New member
:th_nervous: I hope someone can give me some tips...my daughter-in-law's 2006 Grand Prix has a continuing intermittent electrical problem with the headlamps. It is a long story so to try to keep it short:

Replaced DRL relay about 9 months ago when at first her daytime running lights would not turn off when the car was turned off

About 3 months later the new relay fried (actually melted) and also burned the fuse block at the location it plugs into. I attributed that to a chinese made relay bought from NAPA and had to replace the whole fuse block. Purchased one form a local scrap yard...relays and all and installed it.

About 6 weeks ago she called me to tell me daytime running lights were not on while driving, and then actually no headlamps at night. I bought a GM DRL relay from a Chevy dealer and put it in...all worked fine.


2 weeks later she calls again..my lights are out. I had her plug in the old relay for kicks and they came back on.


That has now happened at least twice more, so she gave me the car to drive a few days.


Last night it did it to me, so I had the chance to work the headlamp switich and no matter what I did the low beams would not come on...only high beams. I didn't get home until late last night so I will look at it again later.

Right now I suspect some connector loose, but I am wondering if anyone has any other suggestions, or has experienced this and can give me some other ideas of what to look at?

Thanks!!!
 


While this isn't the tech advice you are looking for... determine what the input to the relay should be from the car. Some of the systems will use a ground, while others use power to kick on relays. Once you know that.. next time it does it, see if that input is missing from the relay. Also, since the relays are frying, that would make me think bad grounding. Check the grounds to the headlamps and relay both.
 
No headlights is a common problem with the hdm solid state relay/module under the hood fuse box.

I've also seen a lot of burnt plugs at the bulb.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2
 
I'd say sand your grounds shiny, bolt them back up, and coat in Permatex to keep from rust/oxidation.

Also, check your wiring harness for rubbed wires. Electronics burn up nice when they have intermittent power from damaged wires.
 
Thanks for comments so far...does anyone have an idea where the grounds would be at for this model? I know cars have various areas where ground wires are clustered and assume that would be the case here.
 
Grounds for the headlights will be attached to the frame right behind the headlights. Just pull the housing out.
 


Ok, Today I finally had the chance to work on the car. DRL lamps were working before I started. Pulled headlamps and throroughly cleaned grounds. I sanded frame area to clean bare metal, sanded both sides of the connection to a shinny copper color, and even used star washers on both sides of the connector to make sure I had a good contact when I torqued down the bolt. I had to check fluids so I had the car running and lights were on. As I was checking fluids (about 5 minutes later) the DRL's went off...just like that! I worked the light switch on the turn signal stalk, and even swapped out the DRL relay with a new one. No Change, lights were still off...and are right now. I should say that one thing I noticed is that it did get dark during the time I described above. Also just tried them now and still no headlamps...

ANY IDEAS of what to do next??
 
Well...the saga continues....changed the I/P light sensor over the weekend (new GM part) I started car at night and all things worked welll for 5 minutes. As car was idling and engine warmed up the headlamps went OFF!! Then NOTHING worked in any position. I pulled the DRL relay and checked with a test light and did have hot into the relay, but it was getting late so I did not have time to try a jumper wire in the fuse block. Plugged relay back in and turn off car...went into house. Went outside 1/2 hour later, started car and all light functions normal. This is the 3rd time now that lights went out as engine warmed and came back on when it cooled down. I am stumped as to what to do next. 2 different new DRL relays, replaced fuse block (used) when first relay fried the box, cleaned headlamp grounds and now new I/P light sensor. Don't know what to try next....any new thoughts from anyone???
 
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