Disable Amber running lights

Mike1220 · January 30, 2015

For the Sierra you'll have to pull the headlight out to make this a lot simpler. DangerDick is correct, you have to cut the GREEN wire on both sides as that is your running light wire.

I have some wiring running back into the cab now that allows me to turn the ambers on and off when the running lights are on so if I ever want them on, I just have to flip a switch [emoji4]

Here's a picture of my harness:

I have the VLED V3 triton. I really like how this set up works because it makes the blinker much more noticeable (well, mine is easily noticeable without the disabling mod cause it's so damn bright!)

You will NOT get a hyperflash and NO OTHER FUNCTIONS WILL BE AFFECTED. The only thing that will happen is you will no longer have amber running lights [emoji106] as I said, turn signals and hazards still work just fine.

Just a few more pictures to show what it looks like

Here's a video I made of being able to turn the Amber running lights on and off on demand. It also shows that none of the other functions are affected by this mod:

The wiring that you will have to cut is what comes back out of the headlights and goes to the turn signal bulb. You will NOT cut any wires that run to the headlight computer in the larger wiring plug on the bottom of the headlight. So like I said, the wires you will cut are what plug directly into the amber turn signal/running light bulb!

BowHunter1 · January 30, 2015

Nice write up Mike! Will be doing this Mod as soon as I'm off work today

newdude · January 30, 2015

Do you need amber running lights working for state inspection? Any state that does safety inspections will 99% require them to be operational.

Mike1220 · January 30, 2015

Do you need amber running lights working for state inspection? Any state that does safety inspections will 99% require them to be operational.

I don't think so. In LA i see a lot of people without amber running lights but they still have current safety inspection stickers. Either way I installed a switch in the cab to allow me to turn them on and off whenever I want. If you don't want to put in a switch like I did you can always just set up some bullet connectors or quick disconnects and just connect them so they work when you go for safety inspection.

Mike1220 · January 30, 2015

Here's some more info on this that I just pulled from my build thread

Look like you're good to me.

§309. Color of clearance lamps, identification lamps, side marker lamps, backup lamps and reflectors

A. Front clearance lamps, identification lamps and those marker lamps and reflectors on the front or on the side near the front of a vehicle shall display or reflect an amber color.

B. Rear clearance lamps, identification lamps and those marker lamps and reflectors mounted on the rear or on the sides near the rear of a vehicle shall display or reflect a red color.

C. All lighting devices and reflectors mounted on the rear of any vehicle shall display or reflect a red color, except the stop light, which must be red, or other signal device, which may be red, amber or yellow, and except that the light illuminating the license plate shall be white and the light emitted by a backup lamp shall be white.

Acts 1962, No. 310, §1. Amended by Acts 1974, No. 292, §1.

Here's where I mounted the switch.

newdude · January 30, 2015

I don't think so. In LA i see a lot of people without amber running lights but they still have current safety inspection stickers. Either way I installed a switch in the cab to allow me to turn them on and off whenever I want. If you don't want to put in a switch like I did you can always just set up some bullet connectors or quick disconnects and just connect them so they work when you go for safety inspection.

Yea but if you turn your headlight switch to park or full on, ambers come on the vehicle. If they have DRL or no auto lamps, then there will be no marker lights. I guess really, as long as they function at the time of inspection (the inspectors turn all the lights on to check them) then its cool.

roadblock · January 30, 2015

Totally doing this! Mike1220 do you have any pics of how you wired your switch?

Mike1220 · January 31, 2015

Totally doing this! Mike1220 do you have any pics of how you wired your switch?

I do not have any pictures of how it is wired. I have power coming from the running light outputs, and they that runs into the cab where the switch is mounted, running back away from the switch is the now live wire that will carry the power through to hit the lights. I will try to get some pictures tomorrow if I feel better. I feel like hell tonight and really don't feel up to going out and taking pictures of everything. Sorry

K2jer · January 31, 2015

~~Why not just break off the wire terminal on the bulb so you aren't cutting your truck harness and then install a new blub when you need to go back to amber?~~

hutch08 · February 4, 2015

Has anyone done this on a Canadian truck? Not sure if it makes a difference with our mandatory Daytime Running Lights.

I hate the huge orange bulging signals... Especially how they come on with DRL's.

I'd really rather not cut any wires, do you think it's just possible to unpin the connector or cut the tab off the bulb so it's not as "permanent"?

Edit** After looking up the bulb type it's a 7443 Dual Filament, I wonder what would happen if you used a Single Filament 7440 in it's place?

Mike1220 · February 4, 2015

~~Why not just break off the wire terminal on the bulb so you aren't cutting your truck harness and then install a new blub when you need to go back to amber?~~

I think that doing a set up like mine is one of the best ways to go, honestly. I'm not just saying that just because its what I did, but because to change the bulbs you have to remove the headlights, to remove the headlights you have to remove the grille and painted trim. Just starts to become a hassle just to change a bulb out. The way I have it set up where I have it wired to a switch, all I have to do is open my center console and flip the switch instead of having to take apart the front end.

Has anyone done this on a Canadian truck? Not sure if it makes a difference with our mandatory Daytime Running Lights.

I hate the huge orange bulging signals... Especially how they come on with DRL's.

I'd really rather not cut any wires, do you think it's just possible to unpin the connector or cut the tab off the bulb so it's not as "permanent"?

Edit** After looking up the bulb type it's a 7443 Dual Filament, I wonder what would happen if you used a Single Filament 7440 in it's place?

You can just break off a pin on the bulb if you'd rather, you could even possibly remove the wire from the plug. I just think cutting it is easier than trying to remove the wire. Also as far as changing to a 7440 I didn't think of it, you could give it a try and let us know if it works. But keep in mind that you have to pull apart the front end whenever you want to change back to having amber lights

As far as Daytime running lights, the ambers don't even turn on, I don't think they come on no matter what trim level your truck is. I think, but could be wrong, that if you have an SLE or Silverado only the headlight comes on, as for SLTs or Denalis, they have the LED DRLs which during the day, only the bottom strip comes on. So disabling your ambers is more of a night time mod.

hutch08 · February 4, 2015

I think that doing a set up like mine is one of the best ways to go, honestly. I'm not just saying that just because its what I did, but because to change the bulbs you have to remove the headlights, to remove the headlights you have to remove the grille and painted trim. Just starts to become a hassle just to change a bulb out. The way I have it set up where I have it wired to a switch, all I have to do is open my center console and flip the switch instead of having to take apart the front end.

You can just break off a pin on the bulb if you'd rather, you could even possibly remove the wire from the plug. I just think cutting it is easier than trying to remove the wire. Also as far as changing to a 7440 I didn't think of it, you could give it a try and let us know if it works. But keep in mind that you have to pull apart the front end whenever you want to change back to having amber lights

As far as Daytime running lights, the ambers don't even turn on, I don't think they come on no matter what trim level your truck is. I think, but could be wrong, that if you have an SLE or Silverado only the headlight comes on, as for SLTs or Denalis, they have the LED DRLs which during the day, only the bottom strip comes on. So disabling your ambers is more of a night time mod.

My Sierra is the All-Terrain Plus package, which includes the LED top/bottom strips like yours. Here in Canada the lights are different from U.S models. I cant turn off my lights at all unless it's actually in Park no matter if it's day or night. My old 06 Denali was imported from Idaho and I used to be able to completely turn off my headlights at night while driving or just run the fog lights if I wanted.

I'll have to double check in the daytime but I'm pretty sure my LED strips and orange lights both come on as DRL's.

Nothing wrong with chopping the wire, just thought swapping the bulb to a 7440 would be as easy and simple to reverse if I decided to sell the truck, etc...

roadblock · February 4, 2015

I'll have to double check in the daytime but I'm pretty sure my LED strips and orange lights both come on as DRL's.

I know its just the lower strip during the day, no amber, at night I think you're right, it's both strips and amber. Now I can't be sure though.

Mike1220 · February 4, 2015

NOTICE FOR CANADIAN RESIDENTS IN THE ALBERTA PROVIDENCE.

(For some reason I cannot add this to the first post, if a moderator sees this and can move it there, it would be appreciated)

This mod is technically illegal where you live. Member Morrislee who has done this mod is in this providence and looked up the local laws and has discovered that any vehicles over 2.05 meters wide are required to have amber running lights.

Just wanted to give a heads up to those in that area who may be interested in doing this mod

hutch08 · February 4, 2015

NOTICE FOR CANADIAN RESIDENTS IN THE ALBERTA PROVIDENCE.

(For some reason I cannot add this to the first post, if a moderator sees this and can move it there, it would be appreciated)

This mod is technically illegal where you live. Member Morrislee who has done this mod is in this providence and looked up the local laws and has discovered that any vehicles over 2.05 meters wide are required to have amber running lights.

Just wanted to give a heads up to those in that area who may be interested in doing this mod

Excerpt directly from the Alberta Vehicle Equipment and Regulations:

40(1)\A motor vehicle that is 2.05 metres or more wide, including

its load, must have 2 amber clearance lamps on the front.

(2)A motor vehicle that is 2.05 metres or more wide, including its

load, must have 2 red clearance lamps on the rear.

(3)Subsection (2) does not apply to a truck tractor.

(4)A trailer that is 2.05 metres or more wide, including its load,

must have 2 amber clearance lamps on the front and 2 red

clearance lamps on the rear.

(5)The clearance lamps on a vehicle must be controlled by a

circuit that is independent of the circuit that controls the headlamps

and tail lamps of the vehicle.

(6)The clearance lamps on a vehicle must

(a) be located as close as practicable to the top of the vehicle,

(b) be in a horizontal row symmetrically about the vertical

center line, and indicate the width of the vehicle, including its load.

(6) A motor vehicle that is 2.05 metres or more wide, including

its load, must have 3 amber identification lamps on the front.

Pretty sure that's talking about roof mounted cab lights... clearance lights can't flash like signals and also according to GM specs the overall width of a Sierra 1500 is 2.032m (80") which is narrower than the required 2.05m(80.7"). They also require a minimum of 3 amber identification lamps if you're wider than 2.05m...

Then in regards to the actual applicable regulations for DRL's.

Daytime Running Lamps

(12)The daytime running lamps on a motor vehicle may emit

amber or white light.

Which is fine because of the white LED strips on the front. The ONLY thing the law enforcement could possible get you with is Side Marker Lamps:

Side Marker Lamps

37(1)A motor vehicle or trailer must have the following:

(a) one amber side marker lamp on each side and as close to

the front, excluding a trailer tongue, as is practicable;

(b) one red side marker lamp on each side and as close to the

rear as is practicable;

side marker lamp at or near the midpoint.

But I'd put money on the fact that 80% of law enforcement doesn't even know those vehicle equipment regulations and you would never get a ticket for no amber side marker lights. Besides there too busy looking for guys with window tint, "widened exhaust systems", and tires sticking out halfway past the fenders.