Headlights, Auto or manual?

[Ozark Marauder]

Just a question, Why would my headlights be brighter when switched on manually verses using the automatic function? Not extremely brighter, but noticeable. Is there separate circuits in the headlight circuit one for manual, and one that uses the auto function, creating more resistance? Just curious.

[martyo]

The same.


..

[Ozark Marauder]

Thanks Marty..........:D I guess my eyes are deceiving me....

[Blk Mamba]

Are your fogs on, that could draw amperage away from your headlights, mine only work in auto.

[RF Overlord]

The internal relay and the output wiring from the LCM are the same regardless of whether the circuit is energized by the manual switch or the auto feature, so there *should* be no difference. Make sure the headlight switch is pushed in when you're comparing the two so the fog lights don't come on.

[Ozark Marauder]

I'll check it tonight..........

[jstevens]

hey, not to hijack, but whats everyone's preference.

Do you leave it in auto or operate it manually?

[fastblackmerc]

hey, not to hijack, but whats everyone's preference.

Do you leave it in auto or operate it manually?

Mine's been in the auto position since I picked her up brand-new!

Even with the HIDs I keep it in auto.

[SC Cheesehead]

Mine's been in the auto position since I picked her up brand-new!

Even with the HIDs I keep it in auto.


Same here. The only time I switch to manual is if I'm in a MM convoy and we're running the fog lights during the day.

[capt512]

I keep mine on Auto W/Fogs on 99% of the time, but my light sensor isn't near as sensitive as I would like, so I have to turn them on manually when its really cloudy or dusk, as my Auto doesn't come on but at dark.

[Ozark Marauder]

I'll check it tonight..........

Checked it with a friend last night, we agreed that the manual position appeared brighter than the auto position. :confused:

Next step: Called a photographer friend and will check with a light meter.

Some will say, Geez, what the big deal, who cares, why waste your time with something as insignificant as this..............

I blame it on all the science classes......:D

[Billy]

Your lights come on automatically with your wipers, right? Any idea if non-marauder lcm could be modified to do that? I think it works in other panthers because I recall a member on here saying that when he put his marauder lcm into his MGM, it activated that function.

[Ozark Marauder]

fastblackmerc is the guy to ask..........

[ImpalaSlayer]

i always used mine manually, i dont like the auto function

[screamn]

+1 on manual operation.

[guspech750]

Manual for me. I do not need any help to determine when I need my headlights on.


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[capt512]

Anybody else notice if you go from Auto to Off, your lights still stay on?? I have to go Auto, Off, Parking, Off to get them to go off...wierd.

[fastblackmerc]

Anybody else notice if you go from Auto to Off, your lights still stay on?? I have to go Auto, Off, Parking, Off to get them to go off...wierd.

The headlights are working as designed.

Autolamp control:

The autolamp system provides light sensitive automatic on-off control of
the exterior lights normally controlled by the headlamp control.
The autolamp system also keeps the lights on for a predetermined period
of time after the ignition switch is turned to OFF.

To turn autolamps on, rotate the control counterclockwise to the next position from OFF.

To turn autolamps off, rotate the control clockwise past OFF to the parking lamp position , then back to OFF.

The headlamps will turn on under the following conditions:
1. Headlamp switch is turned to the “headlamps on position”
2. With the ignition in run or start, wipers turned on and the headlamp
switch in the autolamp position.

Need to read the owners manual.

[capt512]

Good to know, never had an autolamp vehicle that did that before so it seemed wierd. Works for me though. Read through the owners manual when I got it but like I remember half of the stuff in there...

[fastblackmerc]

Your lights come on automatically with your wipers, right? Any idea if non-marauder lcm could be modified to do that? I think it works in other panthers because I recall a member on here saying that when he put his marauder lcm into his MGM, it activated that function.


fastblackmerc is the guy to ask..........

You need an LCM with that function. If you needed to modify an LCM for that feature, it would out weigh the cost of an LCM with the feature.

[Chevyguy]

IIRC 2001 up panthers have the wiper on headlights. My 2001 Vic had this feature!!

[Billy]

IIRC 2001 up panthers have the wiper on headlights. My 2001 Vic had this feature!!
Adam said his 04 GMQ LS didn't have this feature, but with a Marauder LCM it did.
Was yours a P74 or something? Or maybe it's a thing that was decontented for other panthers in 03+... My 2002 P71 doesn't do it and neither of my 03s do it.

[jstevens]

Anybody else notice if you go from Auto to Off, your lights still stay on?? I have to go Auto, Off, Parking, Off to get them to go off...wierd.

Mine does that too. I thought it was just me.

[fastblackmerc]

Mine does that too. I thought it was just me.

See post #18.

Working as designed.

[TFB]

Both my Grand Marquis are set to auto, I manually operate the Marauder...

LCMs in CV & GM are same as the Marauder...

[GetMeMyStogie]

Just a question, Why would my headlights be brighter when switched on manually verses using the automatic function? Not extremely brighter, but noticeable. Is there separate circuits in the headlight circuit one for manual, and one that uses the auto function, creating more resistance? Just curious.

Could it be that you're seeing the daytime running lights operate when the switch is in automatic mode? Perhaps the 'automatic' function isn't working as it should, or is adjusted way too insensitive. IIRC, the owners manual details how to adjust when and for how long the headlights stay on.

Is there any difference in headlight intensity when switching from Off to Auto? I'm assuming your car has DRL.

[Ozark Marauder]

I don't have DRL, unless it's a function that is turned off. It's not that much brighter, but noticeable. Doing a light meter test soon. I'll check the manual, as you said.

[MrBluGruv]

At least the auto function seems (seemed for me at least) to work sensibly in the Marauder.

In my Camaro, the headlight switch is rather redundant; if it's dark where you are and the parking break is disengaged, regardless of any kind of setting on the light control switch, the headlights are ON. Honestly, not a huge fan of it, it conditions me to not think to switch on my lights and I DON'T like that.

[ctrlraven]

I turn mine on manual especially after installing my HID kit. Having the lights on already (AUTO) and then starting the car over time will wear on the ballast. Which is why with most OEM HID systems it's usually the ballast that goes up before the bulb.

[ChiTownMaraud3r]

Mine's been in the auto position since I picked her up brand-new!

Even with the HIDs I keep it in auto.

Isn't this bad for the HID ballast, when you start over the car when the lights are on from unlocking the car when in auto?

Because of this, I always do manual.

EDIT....^^^ whoops sorry ctrlraven didn't see your post...that's exactly what I was thinking.

[fastblackmerc]

Isn't this bad for the HID ballast, when you start over the car when the lights are on from unlocking the car when in auto?

Because of this, I always do manual.

EDIT....^^^ whoops sorry ctrlraven didn't see your post...that's exactly what I was thinking.

What is the difference if I start the car with my remote start and the headlights come on, I turn on the headlights when I'm driving or the headlights come on by themselves when it's dark enough outside? I'm still supplying the same 12volts to the relay(s) / ballast(s) :shake: :shake: :shake:

[ctrlraven]

What is the difference if I start the car with my remote start and the headlights come on, I turn on the headlights when I'm driving or the headlights come on by themselves when it's dark enough outside? I'm still supplying the same 12volts to the relay(s) / ballast(s) :shake: :shake: :shake:
With having an aftermarket HID kit or factory, with the lights on before the vehicle starts it sees 12+ volts when you go to crank the voltages drops 1,2, or 3 volts and then jumps back up after the alternator kicks in, it's this drop and spike back up that wears on hid ballast over time.

[ace7]

With having an aftermarket HID kit or factory, with the lights on before the vehicle starts it sees 12+ volts when you go to crank the voltages drops 1,2, or 3 volts and then jumps back up after the alternator kicks in, it's this drop and spike back up that wears on hid ballast over time.

I just installed my hid kit on my 03 MM. THE LIGHTS WORK fine but after I start the car with the switch in Auto the lights go out then I have to cycle the switch for the lights to come back on. How do I fix this?

[fastblackmerc]

I just installed my hid kit on my 03 MM. THE LIGHTS WORK fine but after I start the car with the switch in Auto the lights go out then I have to cycle the switch for the lights to come back on. How do I fix this?

Check your other 3 or 4 posts about the same thing for responses.

[justbob]

Control freak here. Manual since day one 10/04. I did however adjust the inside temp to 72 that very same day and let that just do its thing.

[ByronRACE]

My 03 just had the LCM recall performed. Before the module-swap, the headlight switch in the auto position would result in the headlights automatically turning on in the dark, and off in the light. Now, with the new module, they are always on if the switch is in the auto position. Is this the LCM, or an unrelated problem?

[fastblackmerc]

My 03 just had the LCM recall performed. Before the module-swap, the headlight switch in the auto position would result in the headlights automatically turning on in the dark, and off in the light. Now, with the new module, they are always on if the switch is in the auto position. Is this the LCM, or an unrelated problem?

Sounds like it's related to the new LCM.

There is a different part number for the new LCM's. I suspect they have added functions that don't play nice with the 2003 - 2004 Marauders.

Basic P.D. - When a problem appears after you have work done... always... ALWAYS look at the last work done first.

[Davco]

My 03 just had the LCM recall performed. Before the module-swap, the headlight switch in the auto position would result in the headlights automatically turning on in the dark, and off in the light. Now, with the new module, they are always on if the switch is in the auto position. Is this the LCM, or an unrelated problem?

I had the recall done a few months ago and I do not have that problem. I agree with FBM about checking with the last work done. Did they install a faulty LCM?

I must also ask the question, is there something covering the sensor on the dash? I only ask because I noticed my lights on durning the day (I stay in auto) and initially was concerned until I realized I left a cleaning rag on the dash. It had covered the sensor....I had my own personal "duh" moment.

[GetMeMyStogie]

hey, not to hijack



And yet, despite claiming you wouldn't, that's exactly what you did.

[ByronRACE]

Sounds like it's related to the new LCM.

There is a different part number for the new LCM's. I suspect they have added functions that don't play nice with the 2003 - 2004 Marauders.

Basic P.D. - When a problem appears after you have work done... always... ALWAYS look at the last work done first.

Unfortunately, they swapped in yet another LCM and it still doesn't work, and others with the same part number don't have this problem. So, either they killed something during the swap, or it was broken before and I'm now just noticing. Either way, the auto function is dead. The headlight timer works correctly and shuts the lights off after you leave the car off for a minute. It appears to be light sensor related. I may just live without this function; I'm caring less as time goes on.

[RF Overlord]

The little "bubble" in the defroster grille (not the red flashing PATS lamp) is the photocell that detects ambient light for the autolamps. There is an amplifier mounted directly underneath. It's possible this is the issue...if there's no output, the LCM thinks it's dark out so the lights stay on all the time.

[fastblackmerc]

The little "bubble" in the defroster grille (not the red flashing PATS lamp) is the photocell that detects ambient light for the autolamps. There is an amplifier mounted directly underneath. It's possible this is the issue...if there's no output, the LCM thinks it's dark out so the lights stay on all the time.

It's possible that the sensor is disconnected.