Jump to content

Disable Amber Cab Lights

JTRACKER
 Share

Recommended Posts

JTRACKER New Member

JTRACKER

Posted
Posted

I have searched this forum and Googled myself to death and have not found the right words to get any results to suggest which relay or fuse is used disable the amber cab marker lights.

 

I would like to put a separate relay or simply a switch in series with the fuse to be able to darken all the amber marker (mirrors included if possible).

 

California says it's illegal to run these cab markers and want to be able to selectively turn them off.

 

I have not been able to simply identify the relay which controls the markers at dusk, suggesting a relay is in the circuit somewhere and controlled by one of the computers.

 

If anyone has any information how to do this it would be appreciated.

 

Thanks,

 

JT

gemarsh Senior Enthusiast

gemarsh

Posted
Posted

Can't help you out.

Are you saying CA won't allow the factory installed roof markers?

eyaniv Enthusiast

eyaniv

Posted
Posted

Yes - in CA, you can't have amber, red or blue lights on top of the cab. as far as I know, mirrors are ok.

 

can you change the LED to white instead?

unit Enthusiast

unit

Posted
Posted

I appears that the OP is correct - CA does not allow them.  Trucks built for the CA market have the clearance lights deleted.  I think the easiest way to switch the lights would be to loosen the headliner, cut the hot wires to the lights just under the roof and install a switch between the severed ends.  The switch wire could be long enough to locate the switch in a convenient location on the dash.  It's relatively simple to lower one side of the headliner and reach in to the center of the roof.

NWStever Enthusiast

NWStever

Posted
Posted

Only if you are a conservative!  It is afterall the "People's Republic of California" ! 

JTRACKER New Member

JTRACKER

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks guys for the reply, but was looking for a solution to turn them off when necessary but not permanently.

 

It seems odd that there is little reference in the manuals or schematics referencing a fuse or relay for these things.

 

The come on at dusk when auto is selected so there must be a relay connected to them, or at least a fuse that can be pulled.

 

In the schematic "Sierra 2500HD Body Builder" there is a reference to a relay KR53 but I do not see this referenced in any fuse/relay box.

 

Oh well, I will keep digging until I find it.

  • Like 1
newdude Senior Enthusiast

newdude

Posted
Posted (edited)

If you wanted them off all the time, pull the driver A pillar trim and unplug it.  The roof lights are on their own harness.  

 

Here's the schematic:

 

rood.thumb.png.48dc940cdea2f2a256681f9eee4344eb.png

 

 

If you wanted your mirror markers to work correct still and just disable the cab markers, you'd have to control off of pin H3 circuit 709 or down the line of it or those two connector points along circuit 709.  Perhaps you could tie in a switch at the A pillar connector area for the roof marker harness?

Edited by newdude
  • Like 1
Another JR Senior Enthusiast

Another JR

Posted
Posted (edited)

The two fuses for all of the marker lights (i think minus the mirror markers) are labeled on the inside of the cover of the fuse box under the hood. If you only occasionally want to change whether they operate you could just pull those fuses when you want to disable them.  It will disable the fender flare markers as well as the roof markers. On mine, the roof markers are powered with the left fender markers on one of the two circuits. 
 

Have you thought about just covering them so you don’t eliminate the other markers?  
 

Finally, as I think somebody asked above, why?  If you are an out of state licensed truck they don’t expect you to alter your lights when you enter the state.  Your vehicle was legally sold and licensed in another state with those lights, there is no switch to turn those lights off, and states are required to honor the licensing of visiting vehicles.  It’s like the no front plate thing. You can’t get ticketed in a two plate state for driving a vehicle licensed in a one plate state. 

Edited by Another JR
unit Enthusiast

unit

Posted
Posted

Generally, if you're legal in your home state you're legal anywhere in the nation.  There are some exceptions mostly related to maximum payloads on commercial trucks.  I don't think I'd worry about a truck with clearance lights ever being mistaken for a public safety vehicle.

  • Like 1
Another JR Senior Enthusiast

Another JR

Posted
Posted

Yeah, the whole thing about CA equating DOT required roof marker lights to a light bar is absurd. They obviously take themselves seriously because they apparently prohibit sales of vehicles with marker lights. However, the difference is visually obvious. I will occasionally travel into CA with my roof marker equipped truck and don’t plan to worry about it one bit. They won’t ticket you, and if they did it would be thrown out simply by you sending a letter citing the state to state reciprocity. requirement.  In general at least the state police know this and won’t ticket you. 

nards444 Senior Enthusiast

nards444

Posted
Posted
4 hours ago, Another JR said:

Yeah, the whole thing about CA equating DOT required roof marker lights to a light bar is absurd. They obviously take themselves seriously because they apparently prohibit sales of vehicles with marker lights. However, the difference is visually obvious. I will occasionally travel into CA with my roof marker equipped truck and don’t plan to worry about it one bit. They won’t ticket you, and if they did it would be thrown out simply by you sending a letter citing the state to state reciprocity. requirement.  In general at least the state police know this and won’t ticket you. 

 

I live in NY and I think its bad.  I just dont know people in CA do it,  I really dont. 

RugbyRef Enthusiast

RugbyRef

Posted
Posted (edited)

@JTRACKER - You could most definitely simply replace the lights with white lights (LED).  Recon Truck Accessories has them - Recon Cab Lights.  I do not know what year your truck is, so you'll have to make the selection accordingly.  

 

Just in case anyone is interested:

 

CALIFORNIA VEHICLE CODE - VEH

DIVISION 12. EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES [24000 - 28160]

CHAPTER 5. Other Equipment [27000 - 28160]

ARTICLE 5. Fenders, Ornaments, and Television [27600 - 27607]
27606.  

(a) No person shall own or operate a motor vehicle which is equipped with a light bar, or facsimile thereof, to resemble a motor vehicle used by a peace officer or traffic officer while on duty within that jurisdiction for the primary purpose of enforcing Division 10 (commencing with Section 20000) or Division 11 (commencing with Section 21000) pursuant to Section 40800.

(b) For purposes of this section the following definitions apply:

(1) A “light bar” means any light or device affixed to or mounted upon the roof of a vehicle and extending the width of the roof, or a substantial portion thereof, which emits amber, red, or blue, or any combination of those lights.

(2) A “facsimile of a light bar” is any device designed or contrived to resemble a light bar regardless of the degree of light emission or lack thereof. - Not sure if this is a catchall.

(c) This section shall not apply to a vehicle, if all of the following conditions are satisfied:

(1) The vehicle is possessed by a federal, state, or local historical society or museum that is open to the public.

(2) The vehicle is secured from unauthorized operation.

(3) The vehicle is not operated on any public road or highway, unless one of the following applies:

(A) The vehicle is being operated within a temporary street closure for the purposes of celebrations, parades, local special events, and other purposes when the operation is approved by local authorities having jurisdiction over the street closure.

(B) The vehicle is of a model year of at least twenty-five years prior to the year of operation.

Edited by RugbyRef
KCJackson1 Enthusiast

KCJackson1

Posted
Posted

Based on that definition posted, I don't know of anyone who has mistaken roof marker lights for a police-style light bar.  The roof markers do not meet the definition of "extending the width of the roof, or a substantial portion thereof" - they're just 5 small lights.  Nor is it a facsimile of a police-style light bar.  No one mistakes them as a police-style light bar on a vehicle that requires them.  If they're 100% legal on a dually that requires them, how are they illegal on a SRW truck? 

nards444 Senior Enthusiast

nards444

Posted
Posted
11 minutes ago, KCJackson1 said:

Based on that definition posted, I don't know of anyone who has mistaken roof marker lights for a police-style light bar.  The roof markers do not meet the definition of "extending the width of the roof, or a substantial portion thereof" - they're just 5 small lights.  Nor is it a facsimile of a police-style light bar.  No one mistakes them as a police-style light bar on a vehicle that requires them.  If they're 100% legal on a dually that requires them, how are they illegal on a SRW truck? 

Yeah I agree.  I think people are mistaken what the definition says.  There are yellow bars out there,  tow truck, plows etc.  The cab lights are not a bar and do not take a majority of the roof.  I dont think this thinking is true.  GM sells a lot of vehicles to CA, and would make sure of this..

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Forum Statistics

    250.5k
    Total Topics
    2.7m
    Total Posts

  • Member Statistics

    342,951
    Total Members
    8,960
    Most Online
    Afennell19
    Newest Member
    Afennell19
    Joined

  • Who's Online   2 Members, 0 Anonymous, 955 Guests (See full list)

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • Grumpy Bear
      The Peckish Synapse

      By Grumpy Bear · Posted

      Breaking News!    I'm going to tell you that I'm going to tell you.  Then I'm going to tell you what I'm going to tell you.  Then I'm going to tell you.  Then I'm going to tell you what I told  you.  Then I'm going to tell you what I'm about to tell you on the other side of the break.  Then we're going to break. Then I'm not going to tell you what I told you I was going to tell you.  But I'll tell you something else that is Breaking News just coming to the desk that everyone reported on yesterday.  Then I'll tease a human interest telling I'll get to on the other side of a larger break. Then I'll tell you one item in 20 seconds and go back to an even longer break. Longest break of the night.  Then I'll tell you a fluff piece that takes 10 seconds and sign off into a three minute break while you wait for the next 30 minutes of rinse and repeat on the local news.    In al you'll get about 12 minutes of something, 5 minutes of which is worth hearing in a 30 minute show and 18 minutes of advertising at a sound level twice as loud as the news.    Of course you can switch to cable news and hear 12 different people tell the same four stories in much the same format as the Network News for 20 hours of which the majority will be advertising.  And four hours of late night Specials about things you wonder why you stayed up to listen to. Half of which will be repeats.....   OR you can go for a drive  
    • Afennell19
      Audio Dampening and quiet

      By Afennell19 · Posted

      Did you ever figure this out? My 2022 Trail Boss, and now my 2026 LT did this from time to time.  I believe it was more connected to Android Auto and my phone being the cause. Maybe try going for a drive, sans cell phone.... and see if it happens? 
    • Afennell19
      2026 Sierra 1500 Denali - Sound upgrade?

      By Afennell19 · Posted

      I have a 2026 Silverado LT, the non bose as well.  Upgrading the door speakers is pretty straightforward. You could honestly go to walmart, or Auto Zone/ O Reilly and get a set of 6x9s for the front, and 6.5s for the rear. You do also have to get some adapters for each, but they are like $10 a pair on Amazon. Then some plug and play harnesses that are about $10 a pair on Amazon as well.  And I would also suggest a 10 pack of the Amazon Basics sound deadening. Slap that all around the speakers and on the open metal of the inside of the door. And your golden.   I am currently doing this with my Silverado. Although I am having a bit of trouble because I am snooby I guess and bought some Alpine S2 S69c's which are 2 way components and I am having to wire from the door up to the dash....  Having never installed speakers before, its taking me just a bit to get everything correct. But if you dont buy expensive component speakers, and just some $40-$50 door speakers. You will DRASTICALLY improve the sound over these stock paper cone junk speakers. I thought my Silverado had an issue with the radio/ sound for a while.  Come to find out.  The stock speakers are just THAT SH*TTY   I cannot wait to have some decent sound in the truck   What did you end up doing?
    • newdude
      Parking Brake - Automatic Engagement Questions

      By newdude · Posted

      Its all automatic based on yaw sensor data.  If enough incline is detected, it engages.   My recommendation though would be to disengage it before driving off and not let it auto disengage by touching the gas pedal.  The HD trucks use the same setup as prior years, the drum in hat park brake.  But now with an electric actuator.  If you drive off repeatedly over time, it can torque the park brake shoes and can also prematurely wear them out.           Electric console shift will set the park brake on flat ground too.  Pretty sure they've got it programmed to activate every time.  
    • riddler
      Supercharger (whipple)

      By riddler · Posted

      Anyone install a a supercharger on your 6.6L L8T? Talk to me...

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...