Headlights won't turn on?

Hey all, I just noticed this evening that my headlights won't turn on in the dark!

I was fumbling around for my cabin lights, car running, but not sure if I was in Park or not, because there was an adult praying mantis flying around my interior! I found him and shooed him out, and realized halfway down my street (it was about 9:30 PM) that my headlights weren't on. I pulled out the control knob to turn them on manually and they still would not turn on!

I made it home with my brights on, but I still cannot figure out what's up with my low beams. I figured maybe I accidentally did that little trick to turn off all exterior lamps while in Park, but when I try to turn them back on, my dash lights, ambers, and taillights turn back on, but my headlights will not. And no matter what, the manual switch will not work.

However my low beams do turn on when unlocking the car in the dark. They just turn off when I insert my key.

Suggestions? Would unhooking my battery reset whatever the heck I maybe did while fumbling for the cabin lights? Or do you think it's just a coincidence?

If I'm understanding you correctly, if you pull the knob the taillights will come on but not the headlights?

Will the taillights come on automatically?

Either way I would check fuses before anything.

Yes, the taillights turn on, but not the headlamps. The fuses appear to be fine.

I just realized the brights are the flood lights that turn on when you unlock in the dark, not the low beams, so it may be possible both of my lamps burned out at the same time... I'll have to check that out in the morning (no illuminated garage for me.... sniffle). I know they always say they "burn out in pairs," but damn.

For me, when I click the fob once (unlocks only the drivers door) it flashes the low beams. 2 clicks (both doors) it flashes both high and low beams.

Hmmm, interesting. I will check that out in the daylight. I never noticed a difference with the headlamps, but I do know mine turns on the reverse lights when I double click unlock.

Quote :

just realized the brights are the flood lights that turn on when you unlock in the dark, not the low beams, so it may be possible both of my lamps burned out at the same time...

I'd almost bet money it's the bulbs. They really do burn out in pairs, usually within a few days of each other. It is unusual they burned out in summer, though.

Kristin, you gotta get those eurolamps or whatever they are called. The bright white ones.

Nows your chance! Been running these for about 18 months and I love them.

http://eurolamps.com/eurolamps/xenon-charged.htm

It is very possible you had one low beam bulb out and didn't notice, and the 2nd bulb went out leaving you in the dark. Many of us have experienced them burning out very close to each other in these cars.

Aaron gets a cookie! It was both of the bulbs! Wild. I've never had both burn out at the same time before, or at least that closely where I didn't notice (I always check my reflection in others' bumpers while driving).  I'm just glad it was the bulbs and not some extravagant electrical issue.

And yes, I am now part of the crazy-bright headlight club! Sylvania SilverStar Ultras are on sale at Auto Zone for $40 a pair.

Now to tackle those god-awful yellowed cornering lenses...

Nice. now let's go race at norwalk tomorrow night!

Ha! Maybe I'll show up sometime if you want a baseline for how a 100% stock Riviera would perform... But I wouldn't use the term "race," haha. I haven't even gotten a K&N high flow air filter yet.

But. On the subject of headlights. Just drove with the new Ultra headlights for the first time last night.

Whyyyyyy did I not switch to these sooner?!