GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Object Number: 810571  Size: A2

The exterior lamp control buttons are located to the left of the steering column.

(Parking Lamps): Press this button to turn on the parking lamps, together with the following:

    • Sidemarker Lamps
    • Taillamps
    • License Plate Lamps
    • Instrument Panel Lights
(Headlamps): Press this button to turn on the headlamps, together with the previously listed lamps and lights.

Wiper Activated Headlamps

This feature turns on the low-beam headlamps, instrument panel cluster backlighting and taillamps when the Twilight Sentinel is in day mode and after the windshield wipers have been in use for about six seconds.

To operate the wiper activated headlamps, the Twilight Sentinel must be on. If the wiper activated headlamps are on and the ignition switch is turned to RUN, the wiper activated headlamps will continue. When you turn the key to OFF, the wiper activated headlamps will immediately turn off. The wiper activated headlamps will also turn off if you turn off the Twilight Sentinel or the windshield wipers.

Headlamps On Reminder

If you leave the exterior lamp buttons for the headlamps or parking lamps on, remove the key from the ignition and open the driver's door, you will hear a continuous warning chime. The chime will turn off when the lamps are turned off.

Daytime Running Lamps

Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for others to see the front of your vehicle during the day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the short periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully functional daytime running lamps are required on all vehicles first sold in Canada.

A light sensor on top of the instrument panel monitors the exterior light level for the operation of DRL and Twilight Sentinel, so be sure it is not covered.

The DRL system will make your high-beam headlamps turn on at reduced brightness in daylight when the following conditions are met:

    • The ignition is on.
    • The exterior lamp button for the headlamps is off.
    • The transaxle is not in PARK (P).

When the DRL are on, only your high-beam headlamps will be on. The parking lamps, taillamps, sidemarker and other lamps will not be on.

When it is dark enough outside, your low-beam headlamps will come on. The other lamps that turn on with your headlamps will also turn on. When it is bright enough outside, the regular lamps will go off, and your high-beam headlamps change to the reduced brightness of DRL.

To turn off all exterior lighting at night when you are parked, turn off the headlamps and move the Twilight Sentinel lever all the way toward OFF. The exterior lamps will turn back on automatically when you move the transaxle out of PARK (P).

As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular headlamp system when you need it.

Cornering Lamps

If your vehicle has this feature, the cornering lamps come on when the headlamps or parking lamps are on and you signal a turn with the multifunction lever. They provide more light for cornering.

Twilight Sentinel®

Twilight Sentinel turns your headlamps on and off by sensing how dark it is outside.


Object Number: 810555  Size: A3

The lever for this feature is located to the left of the steering column.

To operate it, leave the exterior lamp button off.

If you slide the lever all the way to MAX, your headlamps will remain on for about three minutes after you turn off your engine. As you slide the lever toward OFF, the headlamps will turn off more quickly. You can change this delay time from only a few seconds to three minutes.

The exterior lamps can be completely shut off while the vehicle is in PARK (P) by sliding the Twilight Sentinel lever all the way to OFF. To turn the exterior lamps back on, slide the lever toward MAX again, or shift out of PARK (P).

Park Lamp Override Feature

If the Twilight Sentinel lighting is active, it can be disabled by turning on the manual parking lamps. The lighting will be disabled until the ignition is moved from RUN or until the outside light level becomes daylight. The outside light level changing to daylight will cause the Twilight Sentinel feature to deactivate. The wiper-activated headlamps will override the twilight disable feature.

Light Sensor


Object Number: 810558  Size: A2

Your Twilight Sentinel and DRL work with the light sensor located on top of the instrument panel.

Do not cover it up. If you do, the sensor will read "dark" and the Twilight Sentinel lighting will turn on.

Exterior Lighting Battery Saver

If the exterior lamp button has been left on, the exterior lamps will turn off about 10 minutes after the ignition is turned to LOCK and a door has been opened. This protects against draining the battery in case you have accidentally left the headlamps or parking lamps on. If you need to leave the lamps on for more than 10 minutes, use the manual control to turn the lamps back on after the ignition is turned to LOCK and any door is opened. To delay the lamps from turning off, see "Twilight Sentinel" under Exterior Lamps .