2001 SLS Seville Headlamp and Corner Lamp Insanity

[marksnet]

I have a 2001 SLS. The headlights appear to be very dim but everyone we have taken the car to says the voltage and ground is fine. Upon doing my on troubleshooting I discovered that my turn signal cornering Headlamps do not work.

I tested voltage and they are getting voltage.
I installed new lights just to be certain they were not bad even though the ohm test passed for continuity.
The lightbulb seat is passing current yet the light bulb will not burn when the turn signal is activated.

Can anyone tell me if this is a deeper problem. The fuses are all good.

Maybe a relay, computer issue, something

Any and all suggestions are appreciated. Maybe this is why my headlamps appear to be dim as well. The courtesy turning lamps appear to have a dual light inside as in a low/ or always on and then a brighter setting when the turn signal is activated???

thanks

[submariner409]

You need a Helm/GM Factory Service Manual or a subscription to www.allsatadiy.com in order to find and clean all the ground connectors associated with the system.

If you have an underhood fuse/relay box, find the lamp associated relays and remove them one by one and reinsert. They are TIGHT ! Many electrical problems have been solved by cleaning dirty relay pins.

[marksnet]

okay, i went under the hood and unseated each fuse and relay.. still no dice..

I see no fuse or relay for courtesy cornering lamp or any variation of the name. The owners manual does have a section on lamps and to make sure the twilight sentinal is in the correct setting etc.......but the cornering lamps on either side do not work...

I am guessing the ground may indeed be the last resort.

I also looked thru older post and some suggested the turn signal switch but that does not apply to an 01 sls seville but, let me know if this is a possibility as well.

Also could anyone tell me what i am going to pay for any type of aftermarket replacement headlight assembly kit.......non-oem

[submariner409]

No such thing as an aftermarket headlight assembly - it's either a nationwide dealer search or www.car-part.com.

[zonie77]

Test the ground with an ohmmeter, from the lamp base.

My understanding is halogen bulbs dim with age. When I've changed one side the other old bulb would be much dimmer so I wind up changing both.

[marksnet]

I have replaced all bulbs,,,
The low beams with zenon
The high beams with zenon

These were about 50 bucks a pair at my local advance auto parts

When i discovered the cornering lamps,,not burning i changed those also..

I will check the ground with the ohm meter. Thank you another good tip!!

If anyone has a repair tip on how to locate all the grounding problems associated with headlights dimming and cornering lamps not working please email them to mark.odom@att.net

All help is very appreciated, this is my mothers car and she has taken it to 2 dealers with no luck and that is why I have gotten involved with it. Just want mom safe!!
thanks again!!

[marksnet]

changed all bulbs any direction on verifying the ground points without having to buy a manual to locate all of them

[marksnet]

bump

[submariner409]

One ground box is on the fender skirt just in front of and below the underhood fuse box. A black box with ring terminal, 5 or 6 black wires go into it. Disassemble the box and check the connectors inside. May be another on the driver's side strut tower, below the main underhood wiring harness connector. Trace back the harnesses from the headlight assemblies themselves.

[marksnet]

WOW, , thank you so much! I will check this and post results. As I recall I was not getting a good ohm reading on the neg. terminal of the corner courtesy lamp? So this may be the ticket!!