Blinkers and lights started acting up

Tiny
ROGERMM65
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 143,265 MILES
I cleaned grounds, replaced front bulbs headlights wont come on at start of engine not until put in gear. Then no high beams unless I use manual light knob, cover daylight sensor lights come on at start up high beams work but radio light dims. I am still looking for mouse chewed wire causing electrical issues. Will it hurt to put tape over daylight censor? Thanks.
Monday, March 4th, 2019 AT 5:01 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good evening,

No, it will not hurt. The DRL will not work but the rest should be fine.

When you tape it up, does everything return to normal?

Roy
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Monday, March 4th, 2019 AT 5:56 PM
Tiny
ROGERMM65
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I have got it covered with gloves for now radio light dims, when it is dark out everything is okay. So I will tape over it so it thinks its always dark out.
The drl only work when censor is covered or I turn light switch on, they no longer work on high beams
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Monday, March 4th, 2019 AT 7:49 PM
Tiny
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The DRL's wont work when starting the car, not until put in gear then no high beams unless covering light sensor or turning on manually.
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Monday, March 4th, 2019 AT 7:53 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Okay, turn it on manually and they work? That is because you covered up the sensor.

The auto high beams is disabled until the DRL system is corrected.

Roy

Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) are standard on all automobiles sold in Canada and the United States. The daytime running lamps improve the visibility of the vehicle when viewed from the front in daylight. The normal DRL system utilizes low beam headlamps at reduced voltage supplied by a DRL control module located in the engine compartment.

Applying the parking brake before turning the ignition switch ON overrides the DRL feature. With the ignition switch ON and the parking brake off, the DRL's are fully active and unaffected by any further operation of the park brake. A DRL indicator in the I/P cluster alerts the driver to DRL system operation when the ignition is on and the ambient light level is low, such as at dusk.
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Tuesday, March 5th, 2019 AT 2:53 AM
Tiny
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If I don't cover daylight sensor no DRL until I put car in gear. I will try emergency brake.
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Tuesday, March 5th, 2019 AT 4:50 AM
Tiny
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Sounds like a plan.

Roy
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Tuesday, March 5th, 2019 AT 4:56 AM
Tiny
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Emergency brake made no difference unless light censor is covered or turned on manually. No lights upon starting car until put in gear. High beams only work if sensor is covered or turned on manually.
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Tuesday, March 5th, 2019 AT 5:08 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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I attached some diagrams for you to view. Make sure the DRL relay is functioning.

Roy
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Tuesday, March 5th, 2019 AT 5:46 AM

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