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1997 Pontiac firebird V6. How do you program the courtesy lights to come on when you unlock the vehicle? they come on when you start and stop vehicle and take 20 minutes to turn off? Any ideas?

Submitted: 411 days and 21 hours ago.
Category: Car
Value: $15
Status: AWAITING CUSTOMER ACTION
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Optional Information

1997 Pontiac firebird v6

Already Tried:
tried programming it according the the Haynes manual.

Answer

 

Hello XXXXXXXX,

 

I am going over the operation of your Courtesy Lamps, and I am finding that the extended time that your lamps remain on may be why you are unable to make any changes.

 

There may very well be diagnostic trouble codes associated with your illuminated entry problem. A scan tool capable of reading BCM codes may be necessary to isolate the problem you are encountering.

 

I'll forward you the information that tells us there is a problem.

 

40 seconds is normal. Hitting lock on your remote and interior lights should go off.

 

INADVERTENT POWER CONTROL
The BCM extinguishes interior lamps that are left "ON" inadvertently to conserve battery power. With ignition "OFF," if any interior lamp is left on for approximately 10 minutes, the BCM will deactivate CKT 149. extinguishing the lamp. If any change is sensed by the BCM at any of the interior lamp switch inputs (Door Jamb, Rear Compartment Lid, Courtesy/Reading Lamps, (I/P Dimmer Switch) or any remote functions are used during deactivation, the system is reactivated for another it) minute period. On some vehicles, this feature is defeated with the Ignition in the "ACCY" position and the Courtesy Lamps can he operated for periods longer than 10 minutes.

 

I am feeling that one of the door jam switches may not be functioning properly or a rear hatch/compartment lamp switch problem. The Inadvertent Power Down is a backup system that is there just in case the lights stay on too long. This would be the reason why the interior lamps stay lighted so long, when they should extinguish within about 25 seconds.

 

My suggestion is to have the door switches and rear compartment switches checked to be sure they are functioning correctly.

EXIT LIGHTING
The BCM provides an exit lighting feature, which illuminates Courtesy Lamps for approximately 5 seconds when key is removed from the Ignition Switch. Reinserting key or locking vehicle doors will cancel this process, extinguishing Courtesy Lamps.

 

ILLUMINATED ENTRY
With ignition Switch "OFF," the BCM illuminates Interior Lamps for approximately 40 seconds when doors are unlocked or hatch is released using the Remote Control Door Lock Transmitter. Turning vehicle ignition to "RUN" or "START" will cancel this process, extinguishing Courtesy Lamps.

 

A dimmer switch all the way in the detent position can be the cause of the 20 minute delay as well. Be sure the dash dimmer control that controls the IP dimming is not all the way to the bright into the switch detent.

 

I have searched and searched my database for the proceedure on the turning on and off the delay for interior lighting, and this is some of the info I have come up with.

 

This may help to determine if the system is all functioning correctly.

 

The Body Control Module provides a ground to turn on the Dome Lamp (Coupe) or Rear Courtesy Lamps (Convertible) for illuminated entry whenever a Remote Control Door Lock Transmitter request is received.

With a "Lock" request, the Dome Lamp (Coupe) or Rear Courtesy Lamps (Convertible) are immediately turned off to provide visual confirmation that a lock function was performed.

With an "Unlock" or "Hatch Release" request, the Dome Lamp (Coupe) or Rear Courtesy Lamps (Convertible) are turned on for 40 seconds to provide illuminated entry and hatch area illumination.

The illuminated entry time cannot be extended by pressing the Lock, Unlock or Hatch Release Buttons until it has timed out. Illuminated entry is disabled as soon as the Body Control Module sees an Ignition "ON" input.

 

We must be sure the remote keyless entry system is functioning correctly too.

This feature causes the headlamps, park lamps and backup lamps to illuminate when the vehicle is unlocked with the transmitter. This will provide a well
lighted area around the complete vehicle for personal security for 15 seconds when the vehicle is unlocked with the transmitter.

This feature can be programmed ON or OFF for each transmitter by holding the power door lock switch and pressing the Panic button on the transmitter. The first press keeps the current status. The next press while the power door lock switch is pressed will toggle the status. The horn will chirp feedback while in the programming mode. One chirp means perimeter is enabled. Two chirps means perimeter lighting is disabled. For this feature to be enabled RAY mode must be set at 1, 3 or 5.

 

This allows the vehicle to provide feedback to the driver that the vehicle has received the command from the transmitter. The following modes may be selected by the driver:

ModeUnlock VehicleLock Vehicle
0Turn feature off
1Single flash exterior lampsNo feedback
2No feedbackSingle flash exterior lamps
3Single flash exterior lampsSingle flash exterior lamps
4No feedbackSingle flash exterior lamps and chirp horn
5Single flash exterior lampsSingle flash exterior lamps and chirp horn

The activation feature can be customized to each transmitter by using the following procedure:

  • Hold power door lock switch down - Doors lock.
  • Press TRUNK button on transmitter - RAY mode stays in current mode, horn chirps.
  • Press TRUNK button on transmitter - RAY mode changes to next mode, horn chirps.
  • Release power door lock switch - Customization mode is terminated.

 

TO UNLOCK DOORS

  • Press "UNLOCK" button once and release to unlock driver's front side door, turn on illuminated entry, and disarm the universal theft-deterrent system.
  • Press "UNLOCK" a second time within 5 seconds to unlock passenger's door.

TO RELEASE REAR COMPARTMENT LIFT WINDOW PANEL

  • Press button marked with vehicle symbol on top cover to release rear compartment lift window panel and activate illuminated entry. Vehicle must be in "P" (Park) or the ignition must he "OFF"

TO LOCK DOORS

  • Press "LOCK" button to lock doors, deactivate illuminated entry, and arm the universal theft-deterrent system.

PANIC MODE

  • Press button marked with horn symbol on top cover to activate the emergency panic mode. This mode will activate the horn and parking lights intermittently until the panic mode button on transmitter is pressed again.

When you use the remote to lock the doors, the illuminated entry is deactivated.

 

Let me know if I have covered the information you are after.

 

Take Care

 

Frank

 

 

 

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Expert: GM-Frank
Pos. Feedback: 100.0 %
Accepts: 
Answered: 10/6/2008

ASE Master Certified

37 Years Automotive Diagnosis & Repair. Experience with all makes and models..

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