2001 Pontiac Grand Am Owner's Manual - Page 114

Automatic Light Control (ALC) When it is dark enough outside, your Automatic Light Control (ALC) will turn on your headlamps at the normal brightness along with other lamps such as the taillamps, sidemarker, parking lamps and the instrument panel lights. The radio lights will also be dim. Your vehicle is equipped with a light sensor on the top of the instrument panel under the defroster grill, so be sure it is not covered which will cause the ALC system to be on whenever the ignition is on. The ALC system may also be on when driving through a parking garage, heavy overcast weather or a tunnel. This is normal. There is a delay in the transition between the daytime and nighttime operation of the DRL and the ALC systems so that driving under bridges or bright overhead street lights does not affect the system. The DRL and ALC systems will only be affected when the light sensor sees a change in lighting lasting longer than this delay. To idle your vehicle with the ALC system off, set the parking brake while the ignition is off. Then start the vehicle. The ALC system will stay off until you release the parking brake. As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular headlamp system when you need it. Headlamps Dim to Park (If Equipped) To turn the headlamps off when it is dark outside, turn the headlamp control to the parking lamp position. In this position, the parking lamps, sidemarker lamps, taillamps, license plate lamps and instrument panel lights will be on, but the headlamps will be off. To turn on the headlamps along with the other lamps when it is dark outside, turn the headlamp control to the AUTO or headlamp position. 2-44