Dear Tom and Ray:

We own a 1989 Cadillac Seville. The car is equipped with a "twilight sentinel" system, which automatically turns the headlights on and off. Our problem is that our headlights go out while driving at night. We had been operating the headlights manually, but, without warning, they would go out. We are now operating the lights only under the sentinel system, which has a 180-second delay before the lights go out. And sometimes the driver information center intermittently flashes the 180-second delay and runs up and down through the numbers. Our local Cadillac dealer has had the car twice and can't seem to locate the problem. They say the only thing they can do is start replacing parts one at a time until they fix it. -- Al

Tom: Well, I'd be suspicious if they say they want to start with the transmission or the trunk lid, Al. But if they're willing to start with the sentinel unit, I'd let 'em have a shot at it.

Ray: On cars without a twilight sentinel, this sort of problem is usually caused by a bad headlight switch. But in this car, I believe the headlight switch and the sentinel are all part of one unit, so you're going to have to replace the whole thing.

Tom: It'll probably cost you about 150 bucks, Al, but I'd be willing to bet that solves your problem.

To buy or not to buy -- options, that is. Are options worth what you pay for them, or are you better off just going with the basics? Order Tom and Ray's pamphlet "Should I Buy, Lease, or Steal My Next Car?" to find out. To order, send (check or money order) to Ruin, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. You can also order online.

© 1998 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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