Hi Guys-

I have an 03' Dmax, and it has the auto lights that come on via the sensor on the dash board. This posed a problem recently as it was night time and I could not shut off the auto lights as I arrived at my cabin waking the little ones.

I have tried to just shut them off with the head light knob (on the left side of the wheel) but the knob prevents me from doing this. I do not have the fancy computer feature to do it via my instrument panel and was wondering if there is some type of code or sequence of codes to be able to shut off the lights and turn them on manually.

First post hope it is not a dumb question....thanks for the help too

If you have an '03 you should just be able to turn the switch fully to the left. It's spring-loaded and will return back to the "off" position but the lights will be off. You can then turn the switch to the parking light position and they will come on by themselves.

I've said it a hundred times, the auto headlights are a joke. :badidea: At least in '03 they gave you the option of turning them off with that spring-loaded switch, while in previous years you were hosed unless you did some procedure with the dome override button before you fired the engine....and clicked your heels together three times while saying "I'm not in Russia anymore, I'm not in Russia anymore".......Thanks Big Brother for watching over me. :rant:

If you turn the knob to parking lamps or to to "o" it should shut off the headlamps. You can also try pressing the interior light override lamp button three times fast. That used to shut lights off on 02's and 01's w/ the old dash. You could also try pushing your ebrake down a couple ticks. That shut them off too. Those are just some suggestions on what has worked on some of my other trucks. Hope it helps.

All right guys- I appreciate it. I went out to the garage and tried both of these suggestions, but the spring loaded knob will not let me shut them off or even turn it into the "O" spot. I tried the three times fast and ebrake trick too, but I am S.O.L.

What a stupid option. I was at the dealership on the way home from this trip and the mechanic looked at me funny when I asked him for help. Any further suggestions would be great, or maybe I might just have to deal with it...

Hmmmm.. Do you feel the knob turn into spring pressure? It should turn counter-clockwise until it gets to the 9 o'clock position, and then when released return to the 10 o'clock position via the spring and the headlights should be off. I'm about due for a new spring as much as I turn those damn things off.

Minn Kota- I did that, I was able to get it with spring pressure to that 9 o'clock spot, and then it springs back to the 10 o'clock spot but lights stay on....what gives here?

When my auto lights turn on, I can spring it to the left and they will shut off.. doing it again will turn them on.. I can also turn it to the left as it springs back to turn them off and hit the fog lights to turn the foglights on only at night. Guess GM fixed that issue that you are complaining about.

Minn-Kota, I agree with 100% on how stupid "auto headlights" are. It is a shame you can't pull a fuse some where to de-activate them permanetly. I tried to get to that sensor from under the dash, but the stereo wouldn't come out far enough to get at the wiring. If you unscrew the sensor from the top it only goes down below.

Don't get me started on the auto locking door feature!

Have a good weekend Guys

Minn Kota- I did that, I was able to get it with spring pressure to that 9 o'clock spot, and then it springs back to the 10 o'clock spot but lights stay on....what gives here?

Do you have a Canad..ian Truck ?

Idahofox

Is there any way to disable it, I jusy to turn the darn things on and off manually like it should be. And the stupid dinger too

Is there any way to disable it, I jusy to turn the darn things on and off manually like it should be. And the stupid dinger too

No.

Idahofox

Yes, there is a way to disable the auto headlights. I suppose I shouldn't b!tch so much since I just haven't done it yet, but a consumer shouldn't have to contend with this BS.

You can find the wires to the light sensor at the BCM so you don't have to go through the dash. On my '99 1500 I could get it from the radio opening. On my '02 HD they added a brace behind the radio and I had to find another way so I got it at the BCM. If you have the auto climate control you have to be sure you're after the light sensor and not the solar sensor as that's for the climate control....they added a double element sensor in the dash in '03 for this. It's posted here somewhere how to disable them on the '03+. Just haven't done it yet.

That could be the problem with Toddy's Dmax truck.....Canadian. The resistor/BCM trick will take care of that too. :)

Im pretty sure 2002's and before didnt have auto head lights did they? What was the light sensor used for on pre-2003's??

--Ben

Yep, had them since '99. Pre-03's had the sensor solely for the headlights. 03+ uses it for both headlights and climate control

Do you have a Canadian Truck ?

Idahofox

That would be my thinking too. If the truck came from canada then per the laws regarding lights, the bcm is programmed to not let the lights be turned off. Crappy. Seen several trucks like that... Not cool.

You can always put a resistor in the circuit and have no auto lights ever.

I can't stand all the new computer controlled crap. If some one is too stupid to turn off their head lights manually they deserve a dead battery. How much does all the crap add to cost of the truck, a $20.00 switch replaced with hundreds of dollars worth of computers and sensors is just stupid.

try pressing the dome override 3 times to disable and 3 more to inable

Here is a switch for the 1999-2002 GMT-800 vehicles (no auto lights)...I think the sensor on the dash on those era vehicles was either for the sunload sensor (auto climate control) or to just turn on the instrument panel lights automatically. Maybe only the Denali and Escalade back then had auto headlights? In the ebay auction for that switch it says "fits all GMT-800 vehicles from 2000-2002 except Denali and Escalade"...I also remmeber when my dad got his new Tahoe in 2003 and I was looking at all the cool improvments that were made (versus his old 2002 Tahoe) and I specifically remember his old 2002 (loaded LT) not having auto headlights. Not trying to argue...im just confused...maybe it was something unique to the 1999 MY and then they had problems with it and dropped it?

If you guys hate the auto lights so much why not just cut the wire coming out of the BCM to the low beam headlight relay and run it to a toggle switch?

and I specifically remember his old 2002 (loaded LT) not having auto headlights. Not trying to argue...im just confused...

My 2002 GMC has auto headlights - and I hate them.

Both my '02 2500HD and my wife's '00 Tahoe have auto headlights.

I can't remember the wire colors on the BCM (under the dash, below steering wheel). I just soldered in a 1.5k resistor. No more auto headlights.

My big rant about the auto headlights is that when the sun is setting but it's still way bright outside, the system decides it's night and dims the instrument panel lights. All of a sudden I can't see the PRNDL labels and a few other things. I know I can turn up the dimmer, but sheesh, this computerized crap is supposed to make it easier. Instead you have to perform extra steps to work around its stupid behavior.

And of course the truck and the auto dimming mirror often disagree on whether it's night or day.

My big rant about the auto headlights is that when the sun is setting but it's still way bright outside, the system decides it's night and dims the instrument panel lights. All of a sudden I can't see the PRNDL labels and a few other things. I know I can turn up the dimmer, but sheesh, this computerized crap is supposed to make it easier. Instead you have to perform extra steps to work around its stupid behavior.

And of course the truck and the auto dimming mirror often disagree on whether it's night or day.

PRNDL labels whats that??????????????):h :driver: :stick_out

PRNDL labels whats that??????????????):h :driver: :stick_out

P ark
R everse
N eutral
D rive
L ow

I know we don't have "low", but this is the generic version.

Here is a switch for the 1999-2002 GMT-800 vehicles (no auto lights)...I think the sensor on the dash on those era vehicles was either for the sunload sensor (auto climate control) or to just turn on the instrument panel lights automatically. Maybe only the Denali and Escalade back then had auto headlights? In the ebay auction for that switch it says "fits all GMT-800 vehicles from 2000-2002 except Denali and Escalade"...I also remmeber when my dad got his new Tahoe in 2003 and I was looking at all the cool improvments that were made (versus his old 2002 Tahoe) and I specifically remember his old 2002 (loaded LT) not having auto headlights. Not trying to argue...im just confused...maybe it was something unique to the 1999 MY and then they had problems with it and dropped it?


Sorry my '02 and my wifes '02 yukon have that switch and they are both auto. Oh and my dads '01 sierra too.

I posted this about a year ago and got laughed at but it works even though it sounds cheesy. This works on Non Export trucks 03 and newer.
Remove the dash top, unhook the plug that goes to the sensor and cut a standard (not the big one) paper clip into a U shape. Insert this into the wires going to the sensor and tape up so that it won't short out. Reinstall the dash top and Golly Gee the headlights only work when I turn the switch on. I disabled the stupid Daytime running lights also. I did this by clipping the external wires off of the bulbs and then reinstalled them back into the sockets. Now they don't work at all, Just like I planned,:exactly:
Jim

I posted this about a year ago and got laughed at but it works even though it sounds cheesy

Yes that would work as the paper clip is changing the resistance in the circuit from the sensor. The sensor (if it si like the one on my headlight modulator on my motorcycle) is an IR sensor - when it does not detect IR light it creates a change in resistance and this is the trigger for the lights to come on. You coud do that OR, cut the wires coming out of the sensor, put a meter on them and cap your hand over the sensor and get resistance reading - shine a flashlight on the resistor and get reading - whatever value you get, solder a resistor of that value between the wires. The resistor would take the place of the sensor (the sensor is not hooked back up). The lights would operate with the dash switch.

Come to think of it - I may do this to my truck and just leave the sensor installed so it doesn't have a hole in the dash.

NOTE - my truck is an 02 and does not use the sensor for any other systems that I know of. If anyone knows otherwise PLEASE post the info.

I beg to differ. The paper clip is there to complete the circuit. And you leave the sensor in the dash. There is no hole to fill.
Jim

02 works different than the 03, because the 03-up have a different wiring system. I tried the clip trick on an 02-older truck and it wouldn't work, but I know it will on newer ones.On the 02-older ones I always read about putting a specific resistor in it. Do a search and you will find it I am sure.

If your already driving, don't you know you are in "D".

Just kidding. :muahaha:


Please don't be mad at me. I couldn't help it

Mark

I guess I'll be the one nutcase who likes GM auto lights! At least in my '03 it seems to be set just about perfect. Cool to never have to mess with the lights, in my opinion.

I guess I'll be the one nutcase who likes GM auto lights! At least in my '03 it seems to be set just about perfect. Cool to never have to mess with the lights, in my opinion.

You won't be alone, I promise to be a nut case with you, I love them, I don't know how I got along without them before.

Here is a switch for the 1999-2002 GMT-800 vehicles (no auto lights)...I think the sensor on the dash on those era vehicles was either for the sunload sensor (auto climate control) or to just turn on the instrument panel lights automatically. Maybe only the Denali and Escalade back then had auto headlights? In the ebay auction for that switch it says "fits all GMT-800 vehicles from 2000-2002 except Denali and Escalade"...I also remmeber when my dad got his new Tahoe in 2003 and I was looking at all the cool improvments that were made (versus his old 2002 Tahoe) and I specifically remember his old 2002 (loaded LT) not having auto headlights. Not trying to argue...im just confused...maybe it was something unique to the 1999 MY and then they had problems with it and dropped it?

Yep, you are correct, that is the headlight switch for the '99-'02 trucks, but they still have auto headlights. In '03 they added the springloaded "4th" position to manually override them without monkeying around with the dome override button.

02 works different than the 03, because the 03-up have a different wiring system. I tried the clip trick on an 02-older truck and it wouldn't work, but I know it will on newer ones.On the 02-older ones I always read about putting a specific resistor in it. Do a search and you will find it I am sure.

The resistive value is different for the '03s+, therefore you are finding it works for those and not the '99-'02. I've bypassed my '99 and '02, but haven't done the trick to my '03 YET, although someone did find the correct resistor value that works for these newer generation electrical systems w/auto headlights.

As mentioned before, if you do get the urge to clip wires and insert a resistor you must correctly identify the ambient light sensor leads, and not the solar sensor leads (if you have auto-climate control). Previously ('99-'02) there were just two wires coming from the sensor to the BCM, now there are four ('03+).

Hey what happened to you Toddy, is your truck Canadian? I seem to remember they cannot be overridden.

Do you have a Canad..ian Truck ?

Idahofox


I do have a Canadian made Silverado I purchased here in WA. It's a 2001.
It doesn't have the "all-the-way-to-the-left" knob and you cannot simply
tap the interior dome button to override the auto headlights. GM here says that GM Canada has to provide the code, but GM Canada refuses to.
I'm so pissed off with this BS safety feature. :mad:

I do have a Canadian made Silverado I purchased here in WA. It's a 2001.
It doesn't have the "all-the-way-to-the-left" knob and you cannot simply
tap the interior dome button to override the auto headlights. GM here says that GM Canada has to provide the code, but GM Canada refuses to.
I'm so pissed off with this BS safety feature. :mad:

i know people have said to hit the dome light over ride button before but i think you might be pushing it in too fast. try pushing in on and off every second for 3 seconds. this should make it work. if you do it too fast it does not regester in the computer that any change was made to the position of the switch.

I fish bass tournaments and everyone puts thier boat in the lake while it's dark out. The guy backing down the dock gets blinded by the guy waiting to go next. The trick is to step on your e-brake 1 click. Not enough to engage the brake but it turns off all your lights. I haven't done this in my 05 but I know it still works in a buddys 04. Minn-Kota, you gotta know this!

Minn-Kota, you gotta know this!


Yep, I know about that situation quite well and always try to remember that my damnned auto-headlights are probably annoying the hell out of the guy in front of me so I'll shut them down to the parking lights. This is the reason for my crusade to disable this worthless, so-called "feature". Same goes for the winter while out icefishing. A little before you are about to leave it's normal to let the truck warm-up for a bit so it's nice and toasty when you hop in. Well, guess what? You've just lit up half the lake with those POS auto-headlights once again. :rant:


I'd rather just have full control over my light switch than worry about if my e-brake is still on and whatnot. When I'm ready to fire up the headlights, I'll do so when I'm damn good and ready, not when the computer thinks it should. I'm just happy they finally realized how stupid the '99-'02 design was and included the "off" position to override the light sensor. I still need to mod mine yet to give me full control. I guess I've just been too busy blinding everyone at the boat ramps this summer. :eek: