Where is the automatic headlight sensor in a 1983 Lincoln Continental mark vi--is it not the hi-beam sensor behind the grille?

Answer 1

It's the same unit, and the cause of my headlights flickering when I drive under street lights. I disconnected it for this reason. Actually, the automatic headlight sensor (aka the "autolamp" sensor) is located under the dashpad. If you look toward the middle of the dashpad, near the base of the front windshield, you will see a small honeycomb pattern approximately 1.5 inches in diameter. The autolamp sensor is located directly below this (if you're trying to get to this sensor, you'll obviously have to remove the pad -- two screws in each defrost vent, one of each side, and several screws under the front lip -- pull the entire pad up and toward the back of the car and voila). Make sure to NEVER place anything over the autolamp sensor area, as it will block ambient light and activate the headlamps unnecessarily.

There is also a high beam sensor located in the front grille. This sensor basically sees the headlights of oncoming cars and switches your headlights to low-beam accordingly. If you are having issues with it flickering under streetlights, my first suggestion would be to take a soft cloth and clean its lens very well. Then, use the right wing of the headlight switch to adjust the distance sensitivity. If you don't want it to work at all, turn it all the way toward the up position, then pull the high-beam switch stalk toward you to disengage the high beams. Otherwise, move the right wing of the headlight switch downward and it will increase the distance before the lights flick from high to low beam.