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Turning off Automatic headlights

Zimmski_Bud
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Zimmski_Bud Enthusiast

Zimmski_Bud

Posted
Posted

Been tirelessly searching the internet on ways to turn off my automatic headlights in my 03’ sierra.

 

I want it to be manual, I realize this sounds pointless but hear me out, I ordered some switchback LED headlights that are white but if i turn my headlights off and on again they come on yellow for fog, snow, dust, etc.


Now during the day I can freely choose whatever setting I like but once the sun sets the autos turn on and nothing I do can change it. on my control panel there is an off, auto, park lights, and on. However the “off” position is spring loaded and bounces back to auto, I have yet to figure out what it’s for. It literally does nothing. 
 

I have tried the dome override button trick, it does not work. Now does my “off” position just not work and the problem is on my end? Or is the only way to turn these things off achieved by rigging it? 


Any suggestion helps, thanks.  

BC29C91E-B91C-40F2-8ACD-45FCD0EBB280.jpeg

davester Senior Enthusiast

davester

Posted
Posted

Yup, my trucks the same.  I don't really mind it, but it'd be nice to not flash the neighbors windows when I get home late at night.

  • Like 1
casey.mikl Enthusiast

casey.mikl

Posted
Posted

The off portion can be used when the truck is turned on. You can switch it down to off and they will stay off until you turn the knob back down and they will go back to auto. My 2011 is the same way.


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  • Like 2
diyer2 Senior Enthusiast

diyer2

Posted
Posted

On my 2012 I removed the switch.

Took it apart.

Removed the spring.

Now a manual switch.

:)

 

  • Like 1
Formulabruce Enthusiast

Formulabruce

Posted
Posted

yup , the spring or lift the dash pad and remove the sensor and cheat it to always daytime

davester Senior Enthusiast

davester

Posted
Posted
6 hours ago, casey.mikl said:

The off portion can be used when the truck is turned on. You can switch it down to off and they will stay off until you turn the knob back down and they will go back to auto. My 2011 is the same way.


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It might depend on the specific programming the truck gets, but for mine, turning the switch to off does nothing (either momentarily or holding it in the off position).

 

I've considered putting a switch inline with the dash sensor, but I'd be prone to leaving it disconnected, and in general I like that the lights go on/off automatically.

Zimmski_Bud Enthusiast

Zimmski_Bud

Posted
  • Author
Posted
12 hours ago, casey.mikl said:

The off portion can be used when the truck is turned on. You can switch it down to off and they will stay off until you turn the knob back down and they will go back to auto. My 2011 is the same way.


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 So there has to be some way to make the headlights think the truck is only turned “on” so that i can change these lights at will? Whatever that may be ?

Zimmski_Bud Enthusiast

Zimmski_Bud

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Posted
10 hours ago, diyer2 said:

On my 2012 I removed the switch.

Took it apart.

Removed the spring.

Now a manual switch.

:)

 

That may have worked for your year of truck, but the spring isn’t the thing stopping me from turning off my headlights. While the truck is running that “off” position does nothing. 

Zimmski_Bud Enthusiast

Zimmski_Bud

Posted
  • Author
Posted
6 hours ago, Formulabruce said:

yup , the spring or lift the dash pad and remove the sensor and cheat it to always daytime

I saw someone talking about if the sensor isn’t functioning properly that it reverts to a manual setting. But i don't know if this is true. 
 

07HD Enthusiast

07HD

Posted
Posted

On my 07 that sprig loaded position turns the headlights and all lights OFF'

Zimmski_Bud Enthusiast

Zimmski_Bud

Posted
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29 minutes ago, 07HD said:

On my 07 that sprig loaded position turns the headlights and all lights OFF'

You have the next gen, I really wish it was that simple for me. ?

jake111 Enthusiast

jake111

Posted
Posted

I'm not positive about our trucks, but for most (all?) vehicles just disconnect the light sensor on top of the dash.  Yes, I know "just disconnect" might not be the easiest thing to do . . . unless you're willing to burn your bridges and destroy it from above.

  • Like 1
StinkyCheese Senior Enthusiast

StinkyCheese

Posted
Posted

Interesting that turning it to off does nothing.  My 01, 06, and 09 all turn(ed) the lights off when I push(ed) the switch to off and stayed off until I reset them.  I think maybe because you're in Canada you're SOL.  Much like people trying to kill the DRLs on later generations, Canada trucks you couldn't turn the DRLs off.

  • Like 1
Zimmski_Bud Enthusiast

Zimmski_Bud

Posted
  • Author
Posted
I'm not positive about our trucks, but for most (all?) vehicles just disconnect the light sensor on top of the dash.  Yes, I know "just disconnect" might not be the easiest thing to do . . . unless you're willing to burn your bridges and destroy it from above.

[emoji23] just might have to burn that bridge bud, thanks!


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