Headlights coming back on once car is parked and off.
Asked by alfusionleader May 18, 2015 at 02:39 PM about the 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
My 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix headlights turn back on after parking the car. They will be
off as normal, then sometimes (Minutes or even hours later) when I look outside the lights
are on. This car has the "auto" feature for the headlights but no "off" on it. What could
cause this issue?
18 Answers
Try turning off the exterior lighting delay and the remote lock feedback in the Personal Programming Mode on the DIC (Driver Information Center) above the radio.
PERSONAL PROGRAMMING MODE: This menu allows you to customize several features on your vehicle. These adjustments can only be made while the vehicle is in PARK (P). Press the set/reset button to display the first screen. Personal Programming Mode Screens Press the options button to access these modes: EXTERIOR LIGHTING DELAY: This screen allows this feature to be turned off or allows the selection of the number of seconds the headlamps, sidelamps, taillamps, fog lamps, and back-up lamps are turned on after the key is removed from the ignition, or the vehicle is unlocked using the remote keyless entry transmitter. If OFF is selected, the exterior lamps will not turn on. If a time delay is chosen, the lamps will turn on for the selected time. The time delay will be cancelled and the exterior lamps will turn on automatically when the key is removed from the ignition, or the vehicle is unlocked using the remote keyless entry transmitter. To program this mode, use the following procedure: 1. Press and release the set/reset button to scroll to the selection to be programmed. Choose from OFF, 15, 30, 60, or 90 seconds. 2. Press the options button again to advance to the next screen. REMOTE LOCKS FEEDBACK: This screen allows selection for this option to be turned OFF, or gives the choice of two methods of verification; LIGHTS or LIGHTS and HORN; that indicate the vehicle’s doors are locked when the LOCK button on the remote keyless entry transmitter is pressed. If OFF is selected, this feature will not be programmed. If LIGHTS is selected, the exterior lamps will flash when the LOCK button on the remote keyless entry transmitter is pressed. If LIGHTS and HORN are selected, the exterior lamps will flash when the LOCK button on the remote keyless entry transmitter is pressed and the horn will sound when the LOCK button on the remote keyless entry transmitter is pressed again within five seconds of the previous command. To program this mode, use the following procedure: 1. Press the set/reset button to scroll to OFF, LIGHTS, or LIGHTS and HORN. 2. Press the options button again to advance to the next screen.
erikmorales1986 answered 8 years ago
I'm having the same problem with she same car. Turning off exterior light delay did not work for me. Any other ideas?
alfusionleader answered 8 years ago
Update: This is actually a recall on this model. I took it in to a dealership, they replaced a part (apologies for not know the part name) and said they will contact me when the permanent replacement part is developed. No cost at all to me. They put in the same factory part that goes out or bad with a warning that it could happen again. I've sold the car as a trade-in 4 months ago so I don't know if the new part has been developed yet.
erikmorales1986 answered 8 years ago
Thanks a bunch for that info. I'll look into it.
yardmuffin62 answered 8 years ago
My lights would randomly turn on after I walked away from my car. I made sure to check lights were off before I walked in to work, only to come out and have a dead battery waiting for me. I followed another post in a Pontiac forum and replaced the HDM low beam relay that is in slot #35 in my 2007 grand prix fuse box under the hood on the left side of the engine. It was part # ar6100 at Napa. Cost me $48.00. So far it is working.
Yardmuffin im having the same problem. Could you email me mrfanion@yahoo.com and let me know your outcome on anything you try. Very frustrating and cant seem to get an actual fix to it just assumtions. Thank you
StenoStarr answered 7 years ago
Thank you for posting this. I called the local GM dealer today; there's actually two recalls for 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix: one is the low beam headlamp relay; the other is the ignition. If you have the same make and model, you may want to check into this. I scheduled an appt. today. I'll let you know if the recall fix resolved the headlamp issues.
I am having the same problem with my 2006 Pontiac Torrent. It just started this week. I yelled at my husband for not locking the car door, thinking someone was messing with me.
I have a 2006 grand prix and have he same problem just called the dealership. They told me that this is NOT a recall and that it would cost me 300$ to find the problem. Then the price of the part which ever it may be. The dealership told me there only has been I recall on the grand prix which was the ignition key roller. So not sure what to do??
Schwartz34 answered 7 years ago
Has anyone found the fix for this. My son's off to college and is having this same issue
StenoStarr answered 7 years ago
This issue is a recall. Contact the dealer and have them check to see if your son's car is a part of the recall. Chances are great that it is. I took my care in, they fixed it for free. I have a 2007 grand prix. Good luck!
Yes it is a recall because I got a letter from GM saying that the headlamp driver module (HDM) may not operate properly in the thermal environment of the underhand electrical center. And that I should call the dealer to make an app. I already got the recall for the ignition fixed from the dealer.
FINAL UPDATE: I received a recall notice in the mail last week for this issue. Contact your local dealer to have it fixed. Also, be careful because before I traded in the car the headlights got worse and started shutting OFF while driving at night. It needs to be taken in asap if your car is having issues.
There is no recall for the headlights at all for a 2006 grand Prix Base. I have personally driven to the dealership and asked. they where very cool about it. For those with the headlight issue where your low beans stay on no matter what you do, i have found a solution. After days of troubleshooting and looking at dead end you tube videos, this is what is found: there is a relay called the DRL relay but its labeled as the HDM module in the fuses box in the engine compartment. This module when it fails, it will either burn completely off or it will burn completely on. in my case its was burned complete in the on position keeping mu low beams on constantly. I pulled it out and took it to auto-zone. its Part Number: 20601 for $32.00. good luck guys.
GoGrandPrix answered 6 years ago
I had the same issue with my lights turning off while driving at night, but my brights worked. I typed in 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix headlight issues and received the same info as Jose. I have replaced the module twice and am now having the issue with the lights staying on. I will replace the module again and hopefully it will fix the issue. I'll re-post if it doesn't.
Jose was exactly right. The guy at my Auto Zone helped me find the old one to remove, and said, that since my relay was hot to the touch, I should keep an eye on it. There may be bad wiring behind the fuse box.
GoGrandPrix, I put my hand on a hot burner and it burnt me. I tried a second time and it burnt me again. Gonna give it a third try. Hopefully it won't burn me again