Disable automatic headlights and daytime running lights

[LuvmyChevy]

Not sure if you're a guy or girl but I guess you're not a very patient person then if you can't wait 1 minute for the ambient light sensor circuit to shut them off for you. Personally I find it works perfect the way it is. Meet to many non GM cars at dusk or later with no lights on. Daaaaaangerousssss in my opinion. Please don't take this personally I'm just observing here and just don't understand your need to pull out this spring in the switch. Let a sleeping lion sleep. I pray to GOD you don't hit a biker this summer because he didn't see your lights.

[LuvmyChevy]

I'm with you on this one. What I don't get is with technology today why do we even have headlight switches anyway? It's simple when you start your truck all lights should be on regardless (for safety) when truck shuts of they do too. I can't tell you how many times I've been behind someone even at night were there daylight lights were on in front and nothing on in rear! Dangerous is right!!!

[repairman54]

As a motorcycle rider DRL's have made me less noticeable now. That is a real safety issue, I'm not safely tucked in a steel cage like the average motorist..

Everyone is so used to seeing headlights on in the day they don't notice cycles anymore, for that matter other vehicles either.

Just wait when the Auto braking didn't stop the vehicle in time lawsuit and injury / death onslaught starts.

Driving a vehicle comes with personal responsibility, that includes operating all it's systems properly. Not being complacent automated drones.

If anything needs to be mandated it's better driver education and qualification / demonstration of having the ability and skills required to do it especially in a adverse situation.

[Coby7]

Aren't DRLs mandatory on Bikes? Bikers ( Or as my wife call's them organ donors ) should embrace mandated DRLs on their cycles. Here in Canada it has been a welcomed enforcement. I now see these motorcycles and I have to admit, twice it happened to me cutting off a motor bike because I literally didn't see them, both times were close calls and thanks to to bikers ability I'm not a murderer. Both times I had the shakes for 30 minutes and both times I couldn't figure where they came from. I like DRLs, haven't had an other close call since.

[repairman54]

DRL's have been required on bikes in the US for quite a while now. Over 25 yrs.

It's the optional DRL automotive use that masks the cyclist that bugs me.

[diyer2]

If I turn it to "OFF" then let it spring back to the AUTO position my DRL's turn off. I have done it while in Drive and know it works that way (while sitting in traffic with my foot on the brakes I can see my lights go off in the reflection in the car in front of me). They stay off until I spring the knob to the left again to re-enable auto lights or until I shut off and restart the truck (which re-enables them too).

 

Mine works this way. If I manually turn them off, day or night they are off until a restart or switch is turned. 2012 Sierra.

[Lidd]

That's the way mine worked too diyer2. If you don't want to have to turn off your lights every time you start your truck than the spring mod is for you.

That's the way mine worked too diyer2. If you don't want to have to turn off your lights every time you start your truck than the spring mod is for you.

[Martinooo]

Old thread already but figured i would share my success with getting my 02 automatic headlights to stay off giving me full control and turn them on when i want them on.

Canadian truck, so almost all trucks that i know of have the auto headlights, annoying as f***,

I read a post where resistors were put in place, tried that, no go, tried the pulling the spring out of the headlight switch, no go, so i got to looking around and i remember a thread where people push ebrake in one-2 clicks for them to remain off, i didnt want to engage my ebrake so i looked at the bottom of the pedal when depressed the light goes out, so i unplugged the wire from ebrake assembly, put a spade connector on a wire, pushed it into the wire that plugs into the ebrake assembly, grounded that wire and voila, done.

No more auto headlights, takes 5 mins to do tops.

Edited August 3, 2017 by Martinooo

[diyer2]

Finally got around to doing this today on my 2012 Sierra.

Was as easy as Lidd said.

 

Gently pry switches out of dash.

Unhook wire plugs.

Getting the back off the light switch to remove the spring was the hardest while trying not to damage the circuit board.

Took me 15 mins.

Switch now works like days of old.

 

DRL's are off on start up.

 

Thanks Lidd.

[Coby7]

Why removed a safety option that may save a life is beyond me. Hope the person that doesn't see you coming isn't a relative or a close friend. Never drive faster than your guardian angel can fly.

Edited September 2, 2017 by Coby7

[Wires]

As a motorcycle rider DRL's have made me less noticeable now. That is a real safety issue, I'm not safely tucked in a steel cage like the average motorist..

Everyone is so used to seeing headlights on in the day they don't notice cycles anymore, for that matter other vehicles either.

Just wait when the Auto braking didn't stop the vehicle in time lawsuit and injury / death onslaught starts.

Driving a vehicle comes with personal responsibility, that includes operating all it's systems properly. Not being complacent automated drones.

If anything needs to be mandated it's better driver education and qualification / demonstration of having the ability and skills required to do it especially in a adverse situation.

 

That makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. Ever drive on 2-lane blacktop? You see DRL 2x further down the road than no headlights (hence the reason they are mandated in Canada). I see motorcycle riders with DRL, and it makes 100% difference if you pull out to pass someone. A lot of bikers pick black outfits + black bikes that blend perfectly into the asphalt. no DRL would just be more organ donors for those riders...

[Supreme Pizza]

Would this work on a 2002?

[repairman54]

 

That makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. Ever drive on 2-lane blacktop? You see DRL 2x further down the road than no headlights (hence the reason they are mandated in Canada). I see motorcycle riders with DRL, and it makes 100% difference if you pull out to pass someone. A lot of bikers pick black outfits + black bikes that blend perfectly into the asphalt. no DRL would just be more organ donors for those riders...

DUH

The topic is DRL's on cars/trucks NOT bikes. Do a re-read SLOWLY of the entire post. I'm talking about NOT being seen on my bike due to 4 wheelers with DRL's.

What isn't mandated in the people's republic of Canadia.

[Wires]

DUH

The topic is DRL's on cars/trucks NOT bikes. Do a re-read SLOWLY of the entire post. I'm talking about NOT being seen on my bike due to 4 wheelers with DRL's.

What isn't mandated in the people's republic of Canadia.

 

Sounds like you need to lay down the doobie and actually read. Where was I mentioning 4 wheelers? Nowhere.... I'm talking on driving on a 2-lane highway, meeting motorcycle riders. You CLAIM that DRL on motorcycles makes you less safe. Your words not mine buddy.....

 

I'm still confused why anyone wants to disable safety equipment. You really think GM wastes money engineering lights that turn on with the key because they want less profits? Think about it....

Edited September 2, 2017 by Wires

[Smashdn]

Old thread, old problem, new user, bear with me.

 

I have a Canadian version 2013 Sierra and I need to have the ability to turn off the headlights/DRL's when in gear.  Before certain people get wrapped around the axle I do not plan to drive on the road with them off but need to be able to turn them off when driving into hunting areas and when using a boat ramp in the dark.  It is a courtesy thing and it is a big deal.  You blind the people waiting to put in in some places you return to your rig with the trailer detached or your valve stems removed.  Plus I am not in Canada so not the law to have them and frankly I am freaking tired of changing light bulbs so often. So there is my answer as to why I want to disable them.

 

So, the switch mod will not work that I have read, and yes turning it by hand to the off position does nothing when in gear.  What is the fix, what are the options?  Fuse removal? Jumper wires? Remove something else?