Stereo & Electronics - WTF is this part? Someone must know!




phantomzer0
03-04-2009, 05:51 PM
http://armorysound.com/lightpiece.gif

My headlights plug into it. For the last year or so, my headlights have been 'overheating' and blowing the bulbs and melting the harness'. It's like the headlight wires are shorting out and overheating from the positive and negatives touching.

Now, The headlight motors are fused in the main fuseblock. However, the actual power going to the headlight bulbs does not have a fuse. The only other place the headlight wires run to is this block. I think it must be some sort of relay or something. There is a circuit board inside it, but there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with it. I've checked everything else possible and this is the only thing left.

Anywho, I'm hoping someone can identify to me what this is and does and where I can find a replacement, aside from a junkyard.


homerunhtr21
03-04-2009, 06:22 PM
Looks to be some sort of guide :secret2:


(sorry Im wondering to)

BKDZ28
03-04-2009, 06:28 PM
LOL:rotflmao:


RsSean
03-04-2009, 11:38 PM
I would think since it does not look factory and it keeps blowing bulbs adn melting wires it is a transformer. In car terms it is like a coil for you spark plug. It take the 12 volt source and amplifes it to emit more light from the stock bulbs. Won't last long. You should try to find a wiring schamatic and I bet that is not supposed to be there. But that is my two cents.

wssix99
03-05-2009, 07:42 AM
Not sure, but I think that may be the headlight door module for a Firebird.

phantomzer0
03-05-2009, 08:07 AM
I would think since it does not look factory and it keeps blowing bulbs adn melting wires it is a transformer. In car terms it is like a coil for you spark plug. It take the 12 volt source and amplifes it to emit more light from the stock bulbs. Won't last long. You should try to find a wiring schamatic and I bet that is not supposed to be there. But that is my two cents.

It's definitely supposed to be there. I took a peek in my brothers 94 formula and he has one too.

WhiteBird00
03-05-2009, 08:12 AM
That's right - it's the headlight door control module (#2 in the drawing):
http://www.fl1v.org/ls1/headlightdoormodule.gif
It is part number 16525685... $236 at the dealer.

ghettocruiser
03-05-2009, 08:17 AM
Ditto on the control box. All firebirds from around 87 - 02 had that module. Earlier birds used relays to control the pop-ups. This box should only control the up and down motion for the most part.


Are these stock lights with stock harness and all? You wouldnt happen to be running higher wattage bulbs off the stock harness would you?

J.

phantomzer0
03-05-2009, 09:31 AM
Ditto on the control box. All firebirds from around 87 - 02 had that module. Earlier birds used relays to control the pop-ups. This box should only control the up and down motion for the most part.


Are these stock lights with stock harness and all? You wouldnt happen to be running higher wattage bulbs off the stock harness would you?

J.

Nah, I don't think so, just whatever autozone sells for stock replacement. I never bought any crazy shit, just the direct replacement.

Ok, so that part is not the culprit then I suppose. Dammit.

RsSean
03-05-2009, 04:56 PM
I stand corrected. Well I hope you find your issue with your lights

phantomzer0
03-05-2009, 06:58 PM
Thanks!

Flaring Afro
03-05-2009, 08:55 PM
why not put a cheap fuse in that people get for power lines to amp? not exactly a direct problem solver but will save you the bulbs...

phantomzer0
03-06-2009, 09:14 AM
why not put a cheap fuse in that people get for power lines to amp? not exactly a direct problem solver but will save you the bulbs...

Well sure, but then i'll be blowing fuses left and right instead of bulbs. Granted the fuses are cheaper but it's not the answer to the real problem. I thought about throwing a fuse in myself aswell.

slow
03-06-2009, 09:22 AM
you most likely need to replace the headlight harness connector, That module is probably not the problem. (also, the power for the headlights themselves do not go through that module) you can disconnect both connectors and the headlights still function. (they just do not go up/down)

Ryan

fast01z28
03-06-2009, 11:50 AM
it might be your BCM (body control module), or like whats been said, headlight wiring harness.

WhiteBird00
03-06-2009, 03:33 PM
it might be your BCM (body control module), or like whats been said, headlight wiring harness.It could be your BCM... except that the BCM has absolutely nothing in common with the headlight circuit. :poke:

For that matter, it could be your DRL module except that Firebirds don't have automatic headlights so the DRL module doesn't have anything in common either.

Flaring Afro
03-06-2009, 03:38 PM
Well sure, but then i'll be blowing fuses left and right instead of bulbs. Granted the fuses are cheaper but it's not the answer to the real problem. I thought about throwing a fuse in myself aswell.

yeah just saying i'd rather be buying 10 cent fuses over $15 bulbs. You could try replacing the headlight switch and completely replacing the wiring using your own fuses instead of the fuse box. Not exactly ideal but should be easier than tracking the problem, i think.

phantomzer0
03-06-2009, 06:07 PM
I've cheked over the wires a million times and they seem fine, so maybe I should replace the whole damn harness. I've replaced both headlight motors, replaced all sorts of fuses, you name I've most likely done it.

About the only option left is replacing the entire harness... :(

dragonrage
03-06-2009, 07:18 PM
what voltage are you getting at the lights? worth measuring IMO.

Bad wiring could do it. Bad alternator or control circuit could do it by cutting power in and out, since with light bulbs, turning them on stresses them a lot.

phantomzer0
03-07-2009, 04:53 PM
what voltage are you getting at the lights? worth measuring IMO.

Bad wiring could do it. Bad alternator or control circuit could do it by cutting power in and out, since with light bulbs, turning them on stresses them a lot.
13.x volts. Seem about right?

FrankSS
03-07-2009, 05:33 PM
did u check the headlight fuse to make sure it is the right size? the wrong fuse allowing too much current could blow ur lights too

SparkyJJO
03-07-2009, 07:22 PM
13.x volts. Seem about right?

Yeah that's fine.

Have you noticed any voltage spikes, like the lights get brighter for a moment randomly, gauge twitches up for a moment, etc?

NYTRANSAM
03-12-2009, 01:05 AM
Headlights are over rated who needs them anyway, drive with your fog lights on instead:d