Help Enabling Daytime Running Lamps 01 Tahoe

[Fatboy2]

I have an 01 Tahoe (well my wife drives it ) that was originally purchased through fleet sales. It does not have DRL's that function nor do the lights come on at dark (automatically).

 

Were both features available as standard equipment on the 01 Tahoe?

 

Where would I look to enable the features?

 

I had been told earlier that it was a programming feature at the factory. I was told that it was programmed through the body control module and the only way to enable the DRL was to purchase a new BCM and have it reprogrammed???

 

The only thing I know for sure is the lights were not enabled or functioning when the vehicle was new. I believe it came from the factory that way.

 

I realize this can be a heated debate at times, as to use DRL or auto light. My intent is not to stir or start a debate or cause hard feelings. I just want to try to get some answers to see what it will cost me to activate the feature if we choose to.

 

Any help or direction that can be provided will be appreciated.

 

Thanks,

Jerry

[GM-Tech]

Can't say I've seen an '01 that didn't have DRL's. Do you have a spot in your underhood fuse box for a DRL relay and for a DRL fuse? Should be listed on the cover. Do you actually have the DRL light part of the parking light assembly? These are separate lights, they don't use the headlights.

[Fatboy2]

Thanks. I will check when my wife gets back with the vehicle this evening. It appears to have the lights in the parking assembly.

 

Is the DRL a separate activation/deactivation than the DRL? I see the black dome in the center of the dash.

 

This unit was sold originally as an administrative law enforcement unit. Not sure if that has a bearing on what may or may not have been done at the factory???

 

Thanks again,

Jerry

 

Can't say I've seen an '01 that didn't have DRL's.  Do you have a spot in your underhood fuse box for a DRL relay and for a DRL fuse?  Should be listed on the cover.  Do you actually have the DRL light part of the parking light assembly?  These are separate lights, they don't use the headlights.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

[GM-Tech]

Is the DRL a separate activation/deactivation than the DRL?

 

Sorry, I don't understand that question.

 

This unit was sold originally as an administrative law enforcement unit. Not sure if that has a bearing on what may or may not have been done at the factory???

 

My guess is that you have everything you need hardware wise and it just needs to be enabled through programming. There is a programming option to DISABLE DRL's, though it needs a special calibration number that we can only get from GM for "qualified vehicles". That's probably what your vehicle has had done to it, though if sold originally to law enforcement, it was probably built with that calibration.

 

Since you have the ambient light sensor and probably the DRL's in the parking light assemblies, you just need to check for the relay, fuse and then consider programming.

 

I can't say 100% for sure if you will need to replace your BCM, but you probably will. Most BCM's lock out further programming after 50 key cycles, for whatever reason. I've had techs in our shop replace a BCM and forget to enable keyless entry. The guy comes back two weeks later, but we can no longer program the BCM but have to replace it just to enable that option. That's been the case on cars. Not positive on trucks, but it's probably the same.

[MS3DALE]

You can order a truck without DRL's,Its option code T62. We've ordered a few here. (And I believe it also disables the automatic headlamps but I'm not sure on that one)

If you PM me with your VIN I can run it on GM-DealerWorld and get all your codes and tell you what special options it may have since you said it was a law enforcement unit,I sure that has something to do with the DRL's and headlamps not coming on.

[Fatboy2]

Sorry for the confusion. Prior to DRL I had operated some vehicles that had I guess, the best way to describe it would be -dusk to dawn lights. They had the sensor that automatically turned the lights (regular headlights) on when it sensed darkness as opposed to daytime running lights. Prior to DRL on those vehicles with the "dusk to dawn"I could cover the sensor and the lights were on when the engine was running. I wasn't sure if the Tahoe had both systems... One running DRL and one operating "dusk to dawn" headlamps??? I hope I didn't make that more confusing.

 

Is the DRL a separate activation/deactivation than the DRL?

 

Sorry, I don't understand that question.

 

This unit was sold originally as an administrative law enforcement unit. Not sure if that has a bearing on what may or may not have been done at the factory???

 

My guess is that you have everything you need hardware wise and it just needs to be enabled through programming. There is a programming option to DISABLE DRL's, though it needs a special calibration number that we can only get from GM for "qualified vehicles". That's probably what your vehicle has had done to it, though if sold originally to law enforcement, it was probably built with that calibration.

 

Since you have the ambient light sensor and probably the DRL's in the parking light assemblies, you just need to check for the relay, fuse and then consider programming.

 

I can't say 100% for sure if you will need to replace your BCM, but you probably will. Most BCM's lock out further programming after 50 key cycles, for whatever reason. I've had techs in our shop replace a BCM and forget to enable keyless entry. The guy comes back two weeks later, but we can no longer program the BCM but have to replace it just to enable that option. That's been the case on cars. Not positive on trucks, but it's probably the same.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

[Fatboy2]

You can order a truck without DRL's,Its option code T62. We've ordered a few here. (And I believe it also disables the automatic headlamps but I'm not sure on that one)

If you PM me with your VIN I can run it on GM-DealerWorld and get all your codes and tell you what special options it may have since you said it was a law enforcement unit,I sure that has something to do with the DRL's and headlamps not coming on.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

Thanks I sent the PM your way

[MS3DALE]

Got it! I'll PM you in the mourning with all the details! But I can tell you real quick that the truck does not have DRL's or the auto headlamp feature. (It has RPO Codes-T62;DRL Delete and T78;Auto.Headlamp Delete.)

[mcreyaufmiller]

As GMTech said, even if there was a delete, there should be all of the hardware avaiable in the truck to enable them. all the bulbe, plug everyrything in and replace or reprogram the BCM. No auto lights, but you should get the DRL's.

[Fatboy2]

Thanks Guys

I will look for it Thursday.

[Fatboy2]

MS3DALE,

Thanks. Got the PM. I sent PM with address.

 

Now that you have cofirmed the auto headlight was deleted (T78;Auto.Headlamp Delete) does anyone have suggestions as to the next step if I want to activate only the Auto headlights?

 

Or should I start a new Thread for help Turning on Auto headlight?

 

Thanks Again,

Jerry

[Fatboy2]

It is a program feature. I did not need to replace the BCM. The Tech was able to program both DRL and Auto lamps.

Thanks again.