04 Headlight Problem

DamonG · December 7, 2006

Hello. First of all it is nice to find a site that is dedicated to our trucks. I've never had a problem with mine untill now and this is going to be a great site to find parts and get advice. I have had two problems pop up just this week. Of all weeks to do it. My head lights are turning off when it is dark out. And my speedometer is going crazy fluxuating to different speeds, getting stuck at a speed and making a noise when you turn off the truck and when you go to start it. Here is how the headlight issue is playing out.

Here is how it plays out.

When I first hit the button on the fob the daytime running lights come on as I have it set for perimeter lighting in my settings. I start the truck and the drl's go out and the headlights kick on. Like normal. I think im out of the woods. Nope, about a half mile down the road the lights cut off again. I pull over. Wait untill the relay resets for the 60 seconds set for perimeter lighting on exit to go out, start the truck again and the lights come back on only to go out again after 20-30 seconds. I play with the dash switch and even in manual mode they do not come (brights work fine) on but after turning it a few times the come on again for about 20-30 seconds and cut off again. I'm furious by now, turn on the fogs that I have installed using my own relay, fuse, and switch and drive halfway home and then all the sudden they come on and then after about 2-3 minutes they cut off again. I sat in the driveway and was able to get them to come back on. I'm leaning towards the switch but something makes me think the sensor on the dash for night and day is the problem. During the day my drl do not work just the yellow parking lights. And at night the lights cut off except for the parking lights. Its just the drl and headlights I am having a problem with. Any thoughts?

And to make matters worse. This morning I looked down and I was going 110mph. But when I stopped I was going 60mph. The dealership said they were having problems with the clusters. GREATTTT!!! My 04 just turned 38k, nice. The service guy said he MIGHT be able to goodwill the repair. He will call me back on Friday when his service manager gets back in. I hope so. My vehicles always like to break down at this time of year.

GM-Tech · December 7, 2006

Cluster problems like you describe are known issue. You need a cluster.

While the low beams are in their not working mode, go under the hood and try moving the UBEC (underhood fuse box) around. It's mounted pretty securely, so you won't get much movement out of it, but it will move some. You could also try smacking it with the palm of your hand to jar it a bit. See if that gets you any response from the lights. If not, trying moving around the harnesses that come out of the bottom of the UBEC.

We have an occasional problem with the low beam connections in the UBEC becoming loose and/or burned from being loose. A little bump may make the lights go on or off and you're trying to simulate that.

I don't see the sensor in the dash being the problem. It may mistakenly think it's light out when it's dark, or vice versa, but you should be able to override any input from that by turning the headlights on manually.

DamonG · December 7, 2006

I bumped the box and whamo!!! The lights came back on. I put the cover on it and they went out. I closed the hood and they came back on. So I went to the dealer and bought the relay but it sounds like that is not the problem. So, are you saying it needs to be taken in or can I secure the connection or check it? Thanks for your response.

GM-Tech · December 8, 2006

If you're not comfortable pulling the underhood fuse block and repairing terminals, taking it in would probably be best. Make sure you point out what you found about moving the box.

Otherwise, pull the box and closely examine all the wiring connectors. Look for a wire that has insulation a little brown from overheating right where the wire is crimped at the terminal. I think it's connector 4, a green colored connector, that is the connector of interest.

DamonG · December 10, 2006

Well. I pulled it. I did not see anything discolored or loose in that green terminal block. I tried to pull it out. I loosed the fastner but it would not slide out. It probably takes some force but I did not want to break anything. I did not however look at anything else. I will try it again tommorrow cause is it happend again tonight. Driving along fine, hit a little bump and out they went. Opened the hood hit the box and they came on and I went about my business. It has to be a connection. I thought it was the relay at first and replaced it but my DRL during the day cut off and just the parking lights will work whenever this connection problem occurs. It is funny cause the parking lights come on during the daytime when the drls cut off and during the night they stay on as well the low beams work. The highbeams are fine as well. Frustrating. I hate electrical gremlins. Espcially in a truck this new and fresh 2800 miles out of warranty.

DamonG · December 13, 2006

Well the dealer replaced the fuse box under the goodwill program along with the speedometer cluster. They are just waiting for the cluster to return from Florida. It was supposed to be back today but did not come. I am impressed with what the dealer got done for me. They could have said well, it is out of warranty. Thumbs up to the dealership. By the way the fuse box terminals were collapsing, that is why I could hit it or jar it and the lights would turn off and on.

GM-Tech · December 13, 2006

Don't forget to tell your story to those that call us "stealership"!

Glad to hear it's fixed and they took care of the cost.

Jeeper90 · April 22, 2007

Hello, I have a 04 escalade ext that is a thieft recovery and the headlight wiring was cut off, could you give me the connector pinout of the headlight connector?

Thanks

Chris