Pontiac Vibe DRL Problems

Pontiac Vibe Lighting System

• The Pontiac Vibe daytime running lamp system iworks with the automatic headlamp control system as a single unit. The daytime running lamp, which is installed in the low beam headlamps, emits a white or yellow glow no stronger than 1500 candela above the horizon. They switch on when the vehicle is shifted into Reverse or Drive. They will illuminate when the exterior lamps are off.

  The automatic headlamp control system switches off the daytime running lamps when the vehicle is traveling at dusk or suddenly exposed to a darkened environment for more than four seconds, such as tunnels, garages or a tree-lined section of road.

Fuse

• The daytime running lamps are controlled by the FOG/DRL fuse. The fuse is located in the fuse box, which is under the hood of the vehicle. The daytime running lamp relay is located in the same fuse box also.

Dash Intergration Module

• The Dash Integration Module (DIM) controls the relay by sending commands to it. The DIM grounds the daytime running lamp relay in order to switch on the daytime running lamps. A scan tool is used to check the DIM if proper commands are not sent to the relay. The wiring from the DIM to the fuse box is another item to check when the commands to the relay are not received.

DRL Module

• The daytime running lamp module controls the operation of daytime running lamps and the automatic headlamps. A malfunction in this component will cause the headlamps to not come on automatically at dusk and instrument panel lights to stay on when the manual light switch is in the "Off" position. The module is located above the brake pedal.

Conclusion

• General Motors vehicles have had daytime running lamp units as standard equipment since 1997. In order for daytime running lamps and the automatic headlamps to work seamlessly, extra components are needed. A logical analysis and patience can yield the source of a daytime running lamp problem.