1972 Cadillac Eldorado Twilight Sentinal Delay

I got this information from the CLC forum in the spirit of disemination of information.

The amount of delay is controlled by a rheostat at the headlamp switch. The higher the resistance, the longer the lights stay on. This controls the amount of "bleed off" in a capacitor that feeds the base of a transistor that keeps the lights on.

Knowing this, if there is no delay, then there will be little or no resistance in the control circuit, the capacitor is defective. or the transistor that it contols is defective. The capacitor and transistor are part of the controller under the das and are not servicable. You can check the wiring to the switch for grounding, the rheostat in the switch, but most common cause for failure is the controller. Before you do this, though, make sure the power and grounds are OK.

The proper shop manual is the best bet here for diagnosing the system.

Mike CLC # 19861

I looked under the dash, and just below the light switch is a white, plastic box marked Twilight sentinal. This is the box that holds the rheostat and capacitor. I need to replace this one and it should work. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Randall:

Suggest if you are not already a member, join the Cadillac-La Salle Club. I was a member for many years - found they have a well-organized "net" for assisting people with technical problems. Many of their members, and much of their "focus" is on the post "classic era" cars - that would probably be the most productive source of info. for you on non-classic Cadillacs.

Perfidious

Already done....that is why I have my CLC member number in the footer of my messages.

So far nothing on where to get them...but I have sources all over the net so I should be able to find one.