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Home >> Chevrolet >> 2012 >> Camaro LS, Standard Trans >> Repair and Diagnosis (Single Page) >> Accessories & Equipment >> Headlights >> Lighting System >> Description and Operation >> Exterior Lighting Systems Description and Operation >> Exterior Lamps

Exterior Lamps

The exterior lighting system consists of the following lamps:

Headlamps 

The headlamps may be turned ON in 2 different ways. First, when the driver places the headlamp switch in the HEADLAMP position, for normal operation. Second, with the headlamp switch placed in the AUTO position, for automatic lamp control (ALC).

Headlamp ON/OFF control is determined by the body control module (BCM) by a signal on the headlamp switch on input circuit when the headlamp switch is in the HEAD position. When the headlamp switch is in the AUTO position, the BCM determines headlamps ON/OFF by the voltage from the ambient light sensor.

If the headlight switch is left in the ON position, the inadvertent power control feature will turn OFF the headlights approximately 10 seconds after the ignition switch is turned to the OFF position. If the driver places the headlight switch in the ON position after the ignition switch has been turned OFF, or if the ignition switch is in the ACCY position, the headlights will remain ON until turned OFF or the battery runs flat.

The high beam indicator is illuminated when the instrument cluster receives a GMLAN serial data message from the BCM that the high beams are illuminated.

The BCM will also command the low beam headlamps ON during daylight conditions when the following conditions are met:

When the BCM commands the low beam headlamps ON, the operator will notice the interior backlighting for the instrument cluster and the various other switches dim to the level of brightness selected by the instrument panel dimmer switch.

High Beams 

The high beam headlamps receive voltage from the headlamp high relay located in the underhood fuse block. The BCM controls the relay on the headlamp high beam relay control circuit. High beam control is determined by a signal on the headlamp dimmer switch high beam signal circuit from the turn signal multifunction switch. When the headlamp dimmer switch signal circuit is grounded, the BCM grounds the headlamp high beam relay control circuit, illuminating the high beam headlamps. The right and left high beam circuits are independent and are fused independently in the underhood fuse block.

Low Beams - Standard 

The low beam headlamps receive voltage from the headlamp low beam relay located in the underhood fuse block. The BCM controls the relay on the headlamp low beam relay control circuit. Low beam control is activated when the headlamp switch is placed in the headlamp ON position grounding the headlamp switch headlamps on signal circuit to the BCM. The right and left low beam circuits are independent are fused independently in the underhood fuse block.

Fog Lamps 

With both the ignition switch in the RUN position, and the park lamps ON, the fog lights will illuminate when the driver depresses the fog lamp switch. The BCM receives the park lamp ON signal from the interior park lamps supply voltage signal circuit. With the headlamp switch in either the park or headlamp position, and the fog lamp switch is in the ON position, the BCM will ground the fog lamp relay control circuit causing the relay to energize. The current flows from the fog lamp relay to both front fog lamps. The state of the fog lamps will remain the same until the fog lamp switch position is changed, or the ignition switch is cycled OFF and ON. Fog lamp operation will be cancelled whenever the park lamps are turned OFF or the high beam headlights have been selected.

Park, Tail and Marker Lamps 

The park, tail and marker lamps, including the license lamps, are turned ON when the headlamp switch is placed in the PARK or HEAD position or anytime the headlights are requested. The underhood fuse block supplies battery positive voltage to both the park lamp relay switch contacts and the park lamp coil circuit. The BCM provides a ground or control circuit to the park lamp relay coil circuit. When the park lamps are turned ON, the BCM energizes the park lamp relay. If the headlight switch is left in the ON position, the inadvertent power control feature will turn OFF the park, tail and marker lamps approximately 10 seconds after the ignition switch is turned to the OFF position. If the driver places the headlight switch in the ON position after the ignition switch has been turned OFF, or if the ignition switch is in the ACCY position, the park, tail and marker lamps will remain ON until turned OFF or the battery runs flat.

Turn Signal/Hazard Lamps 

When the turn signal multifunction switch is placed in either the left or right position, a ground signal is completed from the turn signal switch to the BCM. The BCM then sends an ON-OFF voltage signal through the fuses to the appropriate turn signal and side repeater lamps or to all of the turn signal fuses for hazard operation. An audio chime is also activated when the turn signals are ON. The instrument panel cluster (IPC) receives the signals to activate the turn signal indicators over the GMLAN serial data system. The hazard flashers may be activated in any power mode. The hazard switch signal circuit is momentarily grounded when the hazard switch is pressed. The BCM supplies battery voltage to all turn signal lamps in an ON and OFF duty cycle. When the hazard switch is activated, the BCM sends a serial data message to the instrument panel cluster requesting both turn signal indicators to be cycled ON and OFF.

Stop Lamps 

When the driver presses the brake pedal, the a variable voltage signal from the brake pedal position sensor (BPPS) is supplied to the BCM. The BCM then supplies voltage to stop lamp supply voltage circuit applying power to the stop lamps and center high mount stop lamp (CHMSL). The BCM also supplies voltage to the transmission control module (TCM), and powertrain control module (ECM) through a dedicated circuit.

Backup Lamps 

The backup lamp request signal is sent from the ECM to the BCM on the GMLAN serial data system. This signal is based on the park neutral position (PNP) switch signal. The BCM supplies voltage to the backup relay and to the automatic day/night mirror when the vehicle is in reverse. The backup relay supplies a voltage on the backup lamp supply voltage circuit to the backup lamps.

Cargo Lamps 

The cargo lamp is controlled by the trunk ajar control circuit. There is not a separate switch to turn the cargo lamps ON and OFF.

Electrical Connections 

Overloading the vehicles electrical system may damage the vehicles accessories. Do not overload the vehicles system by having unnecessary accessories at the same time.

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