Auto Dimmer?

Topic: Auto Dimmer? (Read 1578 times) previous topic - next topic

Auto Dimmer?

June 16, 2009, 12:40:35 AM

I would like to use my "1 free Dumb Question" card now...

So as you guys know I am new to the Fox Thunderbirds and I have a 1988 Sport model. My question is how would I know if my car has the auto-dimmer option? If it doesnt I must have a short in my wiring somewhere. But tonight on the way back from dinner and a movie night with my girl (I know, cheesy, But it has to be done! lol) my lights cut off driving down the high way. Still had my tail lights and parking lights. Around here their are lights above the highway that are pretty bright but I dont think they are bright enough to turn the lights out. The lights have never gone completely out on me before but sometimes the bright lights wont stay on and sometimes its the opposite. Maybe I just have a wiring issue somewhere....any input would be greatly appreciated. And if my car does have this option, can I disconnect it?

Auto Dimmer?

Reply #1 – June 16, 2009, 02:12:33 AM

well,,
shorts blow fuses or at worst, arch and spark.

"OPENS" remove power which is in your case.
thats the smart a$$ in me coming out but its true.

in the center of your dash there may be a plate to remove and if it has slotted vents, That is a photo diode (aka light sensor, dusk to dawn sensor, contraption). This devices looks to the sky and sees dark / light for instructions.

In conjunction with the dash sensor there is a device on the rear view mirror that looks forward. This device comes on duty when it gets night time instructions from the dash mounted device. When it is on , it senses on coming traffic and flips lights from high to low (if you hae high selected all the time.)

If you have these parts, then you (no insult intened) may not be operating it properly. You have to do a few steps in order to make the system work.

First off, on the left lower part of the dash there should be your headlamp switch.

(insure your headlamps are not pointed to a flat surface that could reflect back to you)

with key on engine running
turn on your headlamp switch
turn on your high beams
now turn your auto lamp thumbwheel to mid range
now turn your auto dim thumbwheel to mid range

now turn off your car and wait
your headlamps and interior should go off on thier own.

now start car
if in the daytime, the headlamps will not come on even though you have the headlamp switch on.
If night time, your headlamps will come on as soon as you start.
remember you also have your high beams on from your previous setting so leave the high beam alone.
when cars approach you, your high will flip to low and return to high when the car passes.

there are fine adjusments to the auto dim / auto lamp.

Auto lamp- detects the sunshine or lack of. since you say there are bright street lights, making fine adjustments to the auto lamp thumb wheel will increase or decrease the sensitivity.

Auto Dim- detects cars coming at you vie the device on the rear view mirror.

I wont get into diconnecting it with you now until you determine its defective after you have gone through the steps.

thanks

scott

Auto Dimmer?

Reply #2 – June 16, 2009, 02:18:07 AM

That answers my question! lol
I only have one panel dim wheel and a headlight switch. I thought the cars with this option had the extra wheels. I do however have what you mentioned on the dash which is what made me decide to ask. Guess I need to check some wires in the morning.

Sorry for the dumb question but thanks Scott

Auto Dimmer?

Reply #3 – June 16, 2009, 02:40:43 AM

Quote from: Live Fast;277972

That answers my question! lol
I only have one panel dim wheel and a headlight switch. I thought the cars with this option had the extra wheels. I do however have what you mentioned on the dash which is what made me decide to ask. Guess I need to check some wires in the morning.

Sorry for the dumb question but thanks Scott

I think i did not explain another part.

ALL of the dashes came with a provision for the auto lamp. the provision without vents is an empty void underneath so you wont have the auto lamp system perse'.

Having only a dash dimmer thumbwheel tells me you dont.

So,,,,, your problem is electrical (momentary open circuit) or loose connection if the lights go out or malfunction with the headlamp switch itself if highs flip on and off without you doing so.

In my minds eye, i see a headlamp relay contact bouncing inside its little box or a malfunction with the headlamp switch.

Inside the headlamp switch there is a "circuit breaker" fuse. It works just like the silver canisters you see in your fuse box layout. These things generally overheat and open the circuit and upon cooling will re-apply power to the circuit. Well, inside the maing light switch,,,,,,,,,,(THANKS TO CougarSE debating this with me cause i never knew about it a couple years ago), this thermal switch may be heating and cooling dending on what bump you hit and what loose connection happens to draw more power as a result of that bump ect.(just speculating.)

I like the thremal fuses in the fuse box because you can put one of those buggers in line with a circuit that keeps blowing fuses in order to troubleshoot. You dont have to resort to using up all your fuses, it resets itself. I have one haning on my wall as a tool to troubleshoot faulty dc circuits.

Auto Dimmer?

Reply #4 – June 16, 2009, 02:49:50 AM

How does one man know so much? lol

Thanks alot man you have been really helpful. I will check it out in the morning.

Auto Dimmer?

Reply #5 – June 16, 2009, 03:20:24 AM

well, im sure there is something in there that i have siad which is not 100% but good nuff. Trying to do some inverter layouts (work stuff) now and usually keep this site open as well while i work.. i keep odd hours lately.

Im sure whatever your wiring issue is, it isnt going to be anything we havent seen before. Get a cheapy meter if you dont have one, thats going to be the next thing up.

just warning you.

Auto Dimmer?

Reply #6 – June 16, 2009, 03:32:21 AM

My hours are pretty weird since my accident and having to stay in the bed so much. I sleep alot off and on during the day so im usually up late.

I have a meter, I will do some checking tomorrow and I will let you know what I come up with. Thanks again man!

Auto Dimmer?

Reply #7 – June 16, 2009, 12:55:14 PM

A less common issue is the high-beam switch failing. My 83's headlights would turn off if I ran the brights for more than about 10 minutes. Turn off the brights and the headlights would come back on in a minute or so. I replaced the headlight switch, and the problem went away. Then, one day they shut off and wouldn't come back on at all. I put the old switch back in, still nothing. If I hold the brights lever in the middle, all 4 lights light. Click it all the way on, lights go back off. The only way to get lights was to hold it in the middle. I assume the high beam lever was the culprit. I was pressed for time, so I just stuck a relay on the parking lights wire to trigger the headlights, heh. It's still that way :hick:

CoogarXR

Auto Dimmer?

Reply #8 – June 16, 2009, 04:27:35 PM

That sounds like what mine are doing

Auto Dimmer?

Reply #9 – June 16, 2009, 07:57:05 PM

Quote from: CoogarXR;278045

A less common issue is the high-beam switch failing. My 83's headlights would turn off if I ran the brights for more than about 10 minutes. Turn off the brights and the headlights would come back on in a minute or so. I replaced the headlight switch, and the problem went away. Then, one day they shut off and wouldn't come back on at all. I put the old switch back in, still nothing. If I hold the brights lever in the middle, all 4 lights light. Click it all the way on, lights go back off. The only way to get lights was to hold it in the middle. I assume the high beam lever was the culprit. I was pressed for time, so I just stuck a relay on the parking lights wire to trigger the headlights, heh. It's still that way :hick:

CoogarXR

Pulling the dimmer switch half way is the "flash to pass".
This is a separate circuit to the high beams that bypasses the main headlight switch.
You have a bad headlight switch or a bad connection on the switch that is overheating or both.

Auto Dimmer?

Reply #10 – June 16, 2009, 10:13:09 PM

also the fuseable links that go to the head lights, I belive. My car did the same thing after I acidentally put my battery in backwards.

Auto Dimmer?

Reply #11 – June 17, 2009, 12:01:54 AM

X2 on the headlight switch. I've seen this problem before and it was usually fixed with a new switch.

Auto Dimmer?

Reply #12 – June 17, 2009, 12:12:58 AM

New switch installed! Drove the car to my Grandmothers tonight and the headlights seem to work fine.