Head Lights Turn On Automatically in cold weathe

[mariposa37]

For the past two years the headlights on our 2003 Vibe turn automatically when the temperature gets below 20. Of course this drains the battery. That did not help at all. Most really cold mornings, even if the headlights have not turned on the engine won't start.We have had the battery checked and installed a new one. How can we fix this problem?BTW whaat is the phone number for GM USA?Thank you.Mariposa

[06pvibe]

Why did you wait so long to ask?The best and easiest way I know would be to disable the automatic headlights. You would also lose the DRLs (Daytime Running Lights) which is an option many of us here seem to like.Its as simple as cutting one wire under the dashboard, or as complicated as installing a switch in between to have the option to turn them off or on.I'm at work now so I don't know where the thread(s) are, but if you do a search here fordisable AHL/DRL and you should find it.

[Sputnik]

I haven't seen this problem posted in a very long time, but I'm sure its been talked about on here before. Here's a link to another thread with a link to another thread. http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=39668

[mariposa37]

It only started happening in last winter's bitter cold following Christmas Thanks for the response.mariposa 37

[mariposa37]

I am, Mariposa, a gray haired 73 year old grandma and have had no luck searching the site for information RE: headlights turning on automatically in very cold weather and running the battery down. Please help me.BTW I called General Motors Pontiacs help line--yes they still have one. It is located somewhere where our US jobs have been outsourced. The tech person told me that they have no such problem in there data base.Of course GM is not going to help me. Can someone here give me some workable advice?Thank you.Mariposa

[joatmon]

This problem was experienced in early Toyota Matrix vehicles, and has been experienced in a few Pontiac vibes (they are mostly the same car)It is an uncommon problem, and the problem has been attirbuted to the turn signal lever. It's a multipurpose switch, some versions must have some internal problem that makes them susceptiple to cold. The long term solution is to have the turn signal lever replaced.The short term solution was to push the turn signal lever forward, into hi-beam mode, after you turn off the car. Turn off the headlights if you turn them on manually, or let them go off if you use the automatic headlights feature, but when you leave the car, put the hi-beam selector into hi-beam position. For some reason, that keeps the headlights from coming on due to cold.All that being said, keep in mind that the turn signal lever/multipurpose switch has been the problem for previous vehicles with the problem, and odds are good that's the problem with your car, but there is always a possibility it is something else. With car forums, there's never any absolute guarantee, but if it were my car, I'd definitely try the turn signal lever first.I would go ahead and replace (or have someone replace) the turn signal lever. You can probably get by using the hi-beam trick, but if it were me, I'd forget to do that once, and I seriously hate coming out in the cold to a car that won't start. I have not priced the turn signal lever, and don't know how much it might cost in labor to have someone replace it, but since your car is seven or eight years old, it seems unlikely that GM would pay to fix it. Any auto repair shop could do the replacement for you, or you could go to a GM dealership, or even a Toyota dealership.After some more research, attached is the Toyota Technical Support Bulletin (TSB) related to the problem:

Attached files T-EL003-03.pdf (24.4 KB) 

[epcIII]

Happened to me this morning. I'm right outside of Nashville and was around 7 degrees this morning. Just glad my car still started! I'll try the high beam trick till the temps warm up. Also a 2003 model.

[mariposa37]

Pushing the headlight lever to bright after turning off the car works like a charm for us! This car has to last--an d last---and last.

[msu90]

Yes, I've had the same problem and it's a 2003 as well. I've just learned to put the headlights on high beam when it gets cold. Though after the first cold this year, I forgot my car was on high beams and was driving around the daytime with the brights on! Nobody even flashed me to tell me, and I happened to see the blue light on my dash.If anyone decides to get this fixed, please post the cost and where you got it done. I may be interested in doing it, but I have a feeling it will cost a lot.

[mariposa37]

We followed the suggestion to push the light control forward to the "bright" position after shutting the car down and have had no more problem. Thanks to whoever suggested that fix.Mariposa in St. Louis MO

[epcIII]

It seems as long as the temps stays above the teens it doesn't happen. I know I'm going to forget to turn the high beams on one of these cold nights and wake up to a dead battery.

[msu90]

I know there have been times that I forgot and had to run to the car in the middle of night. The car should be OK for one night since the lights will turn off eventually and I wonder if it's because the lights heat up the car a bit.I did take it to a Pontiac dealership years ago and they had no idea what was wrong with it and would not work on it unless they saw it happen.Oh and do any of you that have the problem notice that your lights will go out (more specifically, go into daytime running mode) when you use your left turn signal when it's cold out? This only happens within the first 10-15 minutes of driving. Doesn't happen when I signal right.