Expert: Roland Finston - 6/11/2011

Question
QUESTION: A few nights ago I was driving at through a thunderstorm and the lightening was surreal. During this storm while driving down the highway my head lights just suddenly quit working. I have turn signals, flashers, and running lights and my brights work if I pull and hold the turn signal switch but I have to hold it to keep them on. (that is how I finished driving home)However the headlights will not come on any longer.

I have cleaned the bulb connections and replaced the bulbs but they still will not turn on. I have also been looking for a fuse for the headlights but I cannot seem to find one? Anywhere?

Do you have any thoughts on what might be wrong? Maybe some diagnosing tips?

I really appreciate any advice you can give.

Brandon

ANSWER: Hi Brandon,
I have searched through the manual and am confused about the circuit for the headlamps. It appears to be controlled by the intergrated power module's front control module and the body computer and yet I can find no fuses or description for what goes on inside the front control module. I don't find any fuses dedicated to the headlamps either. There may be a fault code stored in the body computer that would tell you something specific by name, so if you can get a fault code readout (for free at an Autozone parts store or at an independent shop for around $40) let me know the title of the code and I'll see what I can learn. It is very mystifying, I must say.
Roland

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the info. There is not and SES light on however, I will still swing by Autozone and see if there's a code. I'll write back as soon as I do.

I really appreciate your help.

Brandon

ANSWER: Sorry, I am confused by what you meant by "There is not and SES light on however". What is not? and what is SES light? I revised my first answer, so take a look at that too.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I need to better proof check before sending... sorry.

I meant that there is not an SES (service engine soon) light on.

Answer
Hi Brandon,
Good, a readout with a pretty good reader may see a code from the body computer. But do try the alternate position of the headlamp switch as I mentioned in my revision of your first question. It appears that the front module on the integrated power module under the hood is responsible for providing power to the headlamps, based on message it gets from the body computer, and it needs no fuses to do that. The body computer is supposed to 'see' the position of the headlamp switch and respond accordingly.
Roland