Disabeling the auto headlight feature??

1st new GMC · January 15, 2005

Is it possible to have a tech "decode" the trucks' computer to kill the auto headlight feature? It just drives me nuts- I don't need a computer to turn on lights for me. I'm completely capable of turning the d**n switch all by myself.

PELICAN · January 15, 2005

depends on what model year you have back when I had my 99 stepside I saw online an after market gizmo that was suppose to make the headlights manual but decided to wait and bought an 02 model. now I can turn off/on my headlights when I want to by pressing the dome light 3 times. me personally I can live with that.

budhayes3 · January 15, 2005

I wired an led in place of the photodiode to make mine manual. I did it right at the BCM (under the dash on the driver's side)...took about 5 minutes.

JCedar · January 15, 2005

I wired an led in place of the photodiode to make mine manual. I did it right at the BCM (under the dash on the driver's side)...took about 5 minutes.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Here is a link on how to disable the headlamps!!!

Make sure you read the last one like budhayes3 was talking about, the easiest one without taking apart your dash!!!

Have a good one!!!

GM-Tech · January 15, 2005

Is it possible to have a tech "decode" the trucks' computer to kill the auto headlight feature?

Yes, if we first send a letter from an authorized government agency on their letterhead describing why they need the feature disabled and the specific VIN on which they need this done to Techline, who will then provide us a VCI to recal the body control computer.

So, if the vehicle belongs to law enforcement (FBI, CIA, Police, etc.) and can provide that letter on your agency's letterhead, yes, it can be done through custom programming.

For reqular people like you and me, you'd need to do one of the work arounds mentioned here.

1st new GMC · January 16, 2005

Is it possible to have a tech "decode" the trucks' computer to kill the auto headlight feature?

Yes, if we first send a letter from an authorized government agency on their letterhead describing why they need the feature disabled and the specific VIN on which they need this done to Techline, who will then provide us a VCI to recal the body control computer.

So, if the vehicle belongs to law enforcement (FBI, CIA, Police, etc.) and can provide that letter on your agency's letterhead, yes, it can be done through custom programming.

For reqular people like you and me, you'd need to do one of the work arounds mentioned here.

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Why on earth do I need written GOVERNMENT approval for a PRIVATELY OWNED VEHICLE to disable an annoying General Motors feature????? The G*d D@mn feature isn't even required by the DOT. Does anyone else find this to be extremely arrogant,intrusive, and illegal?? I'm not venting on you, GM-Tech,but rather the entire mind set of GM. I'm the one paying for the vehicle,therefore I should have the RIGHT to decide whether or not I want a computer to turn on my headlights.

Stocklook · January 17, 2005

Its all about lawsuits, say if you drove off in your truck and forgot to turn on your headlights and someone pulls out in front of you and you kill them, it will be your falt because GM has those little so called black boxes that record the last 30 sec before an accedent and they will see where it has been turned off.

I'm not defending anyone but its all about safety. I can't tell you how many times I have had some butt head driving 50-60mph without there lights on and with window tint you will not see them.

GM-Tech · January 17, 2005

Why on earth do I need written GOVERNMENT approval for a PRIVATELY OWNED VEHICLE to disable an annoying General Motors feature?????
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You don't. I think you misunderstood. This is reserved for vehicles owned BY the government, be it local or federal, or some other organization that would be eligible for this disable procedure. They, obviously, would be able to provide said letter on their letterhead. You, as a private vehicle owner, would not.

I would say you probably shouldn't blame GM for this. I have no doubt that there is some intricate legal reason for this.

bowtygie · March 4, 2005

hello,i'm new to this site . i read the procedure on disabling the auto headlights

i was wondering what the resistor does?does it tell the bcm that it is daylight all the time? or,does it overide the system as if you pushed the dome overide button?

also, will the drl's still work if the resistor is in ?or will they be overidden off like

pushing the d o button? thankyou for any info you guys have

budhayes3 · March 4, 2005

hello,i'm new to this site . i read the procedure on disabling the auto headlights
i was wondering what the resistor does?does it tell the bcm that it is daylight all the time? or,does it overide the system as if you pushed the dome overide button?

also, will the drl's still work if the resistor is in ?or will they be overidden off like

pushing the d o button? thankyou for any info you guys have

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It basically fools the bcm into thinking it's daylight, in a sense. You're bypassing the photodiode. The drl's will still work.

Oh yea, almost forgot...Welcome!

budone · March 4, 2005

Is it possible to have a tech "decode" the trucks' computer to kill the auto headlight feature? It just drives me nuts- I don't need a computer to turn on lights for me. I'm completely capable of turning the d**n switch all by myself.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not a permanent fix, but my last vehicle, 2002 Tahoe I would shut off the feature in a half second by pushing the dome light override button halfway twice and it would shut off the DRL and auto headlights.

On the 2005 Silverado, ya just turn the lightswitch to off and let go. The switch bounces back to auto, however the same thing happens, DRL and automatic headlights are no more.

Thing that bugs me with DRL's is it may be foggy or a heavy snow and people see that headlight lit on their dash thinking they can be seen....maybe from the frt but not the back.....

Ric · March 4, 2005

Is it possible to have a tech "decode" the trucks' computer to kill the auto headlight feature? It just drives me nuts- I don't need a computer to turn on lights for me. I'm completely capable of turning the d**n switch all by myself.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not a permanent fix, but my last vehicle, 2002 Tahoe I would shut off the feature in a half second by pushing the dome light override button halfway twice and it would shut off the DRL and auto headlights.

On the 2005 Silverado, ya just turn the lightswitch to off and let go. The switch bounces back to auto, however the same thing happens, DRL and automatic headlights are no more.

Thing that bugs me with DRL's is it may be foggy or a heavy snow and people see that headlight lit on their dash thinking they can be seen....maybe from the frt but not the back.....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

yes, what he said , that's what I do on my 05 and did on my 02

redvett · March 4, 2005

Thing that bugs me with DRL's is it may be foggy or a heavy snow and people see that headlight lit on their dash thinking they can be seen....maybe from the frt but not the back.....

At least you can see someone coming at you. Too many people drive in fog or rain and wont turn on there lights. In a lot of states it a law that the lights must be on at dusk and anytime the wipers are used.

firstruck · March 4, 2005

A quick funny story about how I learned of the auto headlight override feature on my 2001. 5pm Dallas Texas, buy truck in the dark, jump in and start driving east into the night.... several hours later bored out of my skull I start fiddling with all the neat new buttons in my neat new to me truck... Dome override eh? what's that? press it..nothing, press it again, can't seem to find what it does, start poking at it in amusement when BAM! NO HEADLIGHTS! at 70 mph on a dark texarkana hiway! WTF I'm thinking I blew something up, start poking at the dome sw more and bloop, on come the lights! Needless to say I did a little reading up on that feature the next day...... Nearly sh@t myself when the lights went out.

bowtygie · March 4, 2005

Has anyone checked to see if the '03 and newer headlight switches will inter change with the earlier models (99-02) ? I have the helm books for the 01 but not the 03. So i cannot see if the plug will match up or any internal schematics of the 03 switch. If anyone has a copy of the schematic i would appreciate if you could send it to me somehow thanks