Parking brake disables headlights

[jhm]

This morning I pulled out of the garage, headlights were on. I went to get something in the house so put it in park and put on parking brake. To my surprise, the headlights stayed on. Unless I am wrong, I thought they went off when the brake got set. Whaaaatssss upppp????

[asepgrad98]

the brake has to be on when you start the truck for the lights to stay off.

[jhm]

the brake has to be on when you start the truck for the lights to stay off.

 

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Thanks, Now that I think about it, I probably never put the brake on while the truck was started in the dark. At least there is nothing wrong.

[71GMC_3/4T]

The parking brake disables the Daytime Running Lights, not the headlights.

 

If the headlights are on via the switch, or automatic headlights, they will not turn off when the parking brake is depressed.

[jhm]

The parking brake disables the Daytime Running Lights, not the headlights.

 

If the headlights are on via the switch, or automatic headlights, they will not turn off when the parking brake is depressed.

 

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I know it disables the headlights because I took the fuse out for the drl's and when my truck is in my garage with the parking brake set and when I start it, headlights dont come on until I release the brake.

[99silveradoz71]

Actually, at least on my 99, the drl's will go out if the truck is put in park. The headlights will be off if you start her up with the parking brake activated.

[jhm]

We are all correct, saying the same thing different ways. The headlights wont come on if the brake is set BEFORE starting. Setting the brake after starting shuts off the DRL's.

[71GMC_3/4T]

Dang!

I learnt something new... I did not know if you had the p-brake set the headlights wouldn't come on (but only when you first start it)! I haven't tried it yet to verify.

Gotta love this board! So much good info!

[MSUChevyMan]

jhm, I have to say respectively I think you are mistaken. 99silveradoz71 said it right, and we have the same year truck.

 

Here's how it works:

Parking brake is depressed prior to starting:

-Headlights will not come on.

-DRL's will not be on as they don't turn on until the truck is in gear anyways.

 

Parking brake isn't depressed until after truck is started:

-Nothing changes.

[jhm]

jhm, I have to say respectively I think you are mistaken.  99silveradoz71 said it right, and we have the same year truck. 

 

Here's how it works:

Parking brake is depressed prior to starting:

-Headlights will not come on. 

-DRL's will not be on as they don't turn on until the truck is in gear anyways. 

 

Parking brake isn't depressed until after truck is started:

-Nothing changes.

 

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You are probably right about the DRL's , mine are disabled so they never come on. We agree about the headlights, they WONT come on if the brake is set prior to starting the engine. When you release the brake they come on.