Having a problem with the daytime running lights not working, and the headlight indicator on the dash blinking. the wiring diagram shows a relay in front ot the radiator, which I changed, no help. Also both the low and high beams work. I want to see if anything is unplugged at the Body Control Module, since I just got the car and perhaps the previous owner did something to it to disable the lights. Where is it located? 96 Cav LS 4 dr sedan, auito, 2.2L....
I just went through fixing this exact problem on my 96 Sunfire.
The blinking dash DRL indicator indicates there is a fault in the system.
The system consists of the 2 lamps, the relay (already replaced) , the column switch, the dash microprocessor, and the wiring.
As you have already replaced the relay - the blinking light likely means you have the exact same fault that I did.
If both hi and low beam work correctly (no dim lights) , then the lamp wiring and grounds are likely good.
Remove the relay you just replaced. Look carefully at the connectors and locate connector pin 30. It should be a dark blue wire into the connector. Jump this to ground. The headlights should come on in DRL mode. The dash indicator may or may not indicate correctly.
You are bypassing the dash microprocessor. This is where the fault was with my car.
On my fault - The DRL indicator would blink slowly for a few seconds, then blink rapidly thereafter and forever unless the headlights were switched on.
I had to replace the dash microprocessor, and unfortunately this is part of the dashboard circuit board. I went to an auto wreck yard and bought an entire dash fro a 96 Surefire. You need to make sure it is from the correct model (Sunfire/Cavalier), year, auto3 or 4/manual and engine type. You can then replace the entire dash (you then get the mileage on the dash from that car) or, as I did, just replace the circuit board, keeping your own dash and mileage. You can undo the screws on the back and pull off (unplugging the connections) the circuit board. The remove your dash and do the same. You will also need to remove all the dash light bulbs before you remove the circuit board.
Good Luck,
Mike
Please note - either way - you will need to do the theft lock training procedure - as the car will start then stall due to theft lock activation, as the dash circuit board is part of the theft lock system as well.
Good luck.
Some good information here. My 97 Cavalier has done this for about 5 years -- I've just trained myself to flip the headlights on. I might finally try to source the problem some day.
Shop Manuals, Brochures:
www.kenmcgeeautobooks.com
Thanks, I will try that procedure.. This Cavalier has a mechanical odometer, so the mileage is not stored in any computer... What is the theft lock training procedure? Is that something I can do, or only a dealer?
Look in FAQ if you have some time you can do it no problem.
I grounded pin 30 on the relay, and the DRL came on.. So I know the relay and headlight wiring is fine... I found on a wiring diagram that the DRL control wire is green w/ a black stripe... I pulled the connector at the instrument panel and at the DRL relay (the other end). It seems that the wire is open, which would explain the problem. I am wondering how many connectors this wire goes through.. I don't see a problem at the 2 ends I checked.. I also noticed what looks like a large connector under the air filter box, does anyone know if that is where this wire would go through? I have to think there is a corrosion problem someplace under the hood here....
FYI, I decide to run a separate wire to bypass the bad one, and soldered it in at both ends.. Now the DRL works fine! I just unwrapped the wiring harness a bit at each connector to expose the wire, cut it and attached my bypass wire.. Thanks for the insight into how this was wired up...
