Headlights/Daytime Running Lights (DRL) Circuit Description Chevrolet and Pontiac Canadian
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
The Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) module is designed to automatically
operate the exterior lights depending on the outside light conditions.
The DRL module operates in 2 modes:
| In the day mode, the DRL module turns on the low beam headlamps at a
reduced intensity when the DRL ambient light sensor detects daylight under
the following conditions: |
- | The ignition switch is in the RUN position. |
| In the low light mode, the DRL ambient light sensor detects darkness,
turning on the low beam headlamps to full intensity through CKT 10. |
| Additionally, the DRL ambient light sensor turns on the following lamps
through CKT 9: |
- | The tail/stop/turn lamps |
If the engine stalls with the DRL module in the low light mode, the
DRL module turns off the headlamps while the engine is being cranked.
The DRL module turns on the following lamps while the engine is being
cranked:
• | The tail/stop/turn lamps |
The following lamps operate in the usual manner:
• | The instrument panel lamp dimmer switch |
The DRL module receives voltage from the following fuses:
• | The TAIL LPS fuse through CKT 240 |
• | The TURN B/U fuse through CKT 141 |
The following lamps may be operated manually at any time by using the
headlamp and the instrument panel lamp dimmer switch:
The DRL module does not operate if the system voltage is less than 9 volts
or greater than 18 volts.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) Ambient Light Sensor
The DRL ambient light sensor is a light sensitive variable resistor.
The DRL ambient light sensor's resistance decreases as the outside light intensity
increases. The DRL module performs the following functions:
• | Measures the voltage drop across the DRL ambient light sensor. |
• | Determines whether the DRL ambient light sensor should operate
in the day mode or the low light mode. |
Park Brake Input
The DRL module will not operate any headlamps or exterior lamps if the
park brake is applied before the ignition switch is turned to the RUN
position. This allows the driver to start the vehicle and keep the headlamps
OFF, as long as the park brake is applied. The DRL module activates
the headlamps when the park brake is released with the ignition switch
in the RUN position. This feature functions only when the park brake
is applied before the ignition switch is turned to the RUN position.
The headlamps will not turn OFF, if the park brake is applied after
the ignition switch is turned to the RUN position.
Headlights/Daytime Running Lights (DRL) Circuit Description Pontiac Domestic
The Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) module is designed
to automatically operate the exterior lights depending on the outside light
conditions. The ambient light sensor is replaced by a jumper.
The DRL module operates when the following occurs:
• | The ignition switch is in the RUN position. |
The DRL module applies voltage to the front turn signal bulbs. Whenever
the left or the right turn input is received at the DRL module, the front
turn signal bulbs operate normally. When the park lamps or the head lights
are on, the DRL removes voltage from the front turn bulbs.