Circuit/System Description

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2019 Buick Cascada, 2018 Buick Cascada, and 2017 Buick Cascada. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Low Beams

The body control module (BCM) monitors three signal circuits from the headlamp switch. When the headlamp switch is in the AUTO position, all three signal circuits are open. When placed in the AUTO position, the BCM monitors inputs from the ambient light sensor to determine if headlamps are required or if daytime running lamps will be activated based on outside lighting conditions. When the headlamp switch is placed in the OFF position, the headlamp switch headlamps OFF signal circuit is grounded, indicating to the BCM that the exterior lamps should be turned OFF. With the headlamp switch in the PARK position, the headlamp switch park lamps ON signal circuit is grounded, indicating that the park lamps have been requested. When the headlamp switch is placed in the HEADLAMP position, both the headlamp switch park lamps ON signal circuit and the headlamp switch headlamps ON signal circuit are grounded. The BCM responds to the low beam request by applying ground to the headlamp relay control circuit which energizes the headlamp relay. With the headlamp relay energized, the switch contacts close allowing battery voltage to flow through the headlamp fuses to the left and right headlamp ballasts illuminating the low beam headlamps.

High Beams and Flash to Pass

The high beam and flash to pass functions are contained within the turn signal/multifunction switch. The BCM provides the turn signal/multifunction switch with two signal circuits, the high beam signal circuit and the flash to pass signal circuit. When the low beam headlamps are ON and the turn signal/multifunction switch is placed in the high beam position, ground is applied to the BCM through the high beam signal circuit. The BCM responds to the high beam request by applying ground to the headlamp relay control circuit which energizes the headlamp relay. With the headlamp relay energized, the switch contacts close allowing battery voltage to flow through the headlamp fuses to the high beam control circuits and on to the left and right high beam solenoid actuators within the headlamp assemblies. Once the high beam solenoid actuators are active, the solenoid shutters open in each headlamp assembly exposing the remaining portion of the headlamp that was covered by the shutters illuminating the high beams at full intensity.

When the turn signal/multifunction switch is momentarily placed in the flash to pass position, ground is applied to the BCM through the flash to pass signal circuit. The BCM responds by applying ground to the high beam relay control circuit which energizes the high beam relay illuminating the high beams for a brief moment or until the flash to pass switch is released.

With CE1

The rain/ambient light sensor module is used to monitor outside lighting conditions. The rain/ambient light sensor module provides a serial data message to the BCM based on outside lighting conditions to determine if outside lighting conditions are correct for either daytime running lamps or automatic lamp control when the headlamp switch is in the AUTO position. In daylight conditions the BCM will command the designated daytime running lamps ON. During low light conditions the BCM will command the low beam headlamps ON. Any function or condition that turns on the headlamps will cancel daytime running lamps operation.

Without CE1

The ambient light sensor is used to monitor outside lighting conditions. The ambient light sensor provides a voltage signal that will vary between 0.2 and 4.9 V depending on outside lighting conditions. The body control module (BCM) provides a 5 V reference signal to the ambient light sensor and the HVAC control module provides a low reference ground. The BCM monitors the ambient light sensor signal circuit to determine if outside lighting conditions are correct for either daytime running lamps or automatic lamp control when the headlamp switch is in the AUTO position. In daylight conditions the BCM will command the daytime running lamps ON. During low light conditions the BCM will command the low beam headlamps ON. Any function or condition that turns on the headlamps will cancel daytime running lamps operation.