Always on headlights

I have a '99 grand am and the headlights are always on, and i realize that most if not all newer cars have this but is there anyway to make it so i can turn them totally off?

I don't think that there is a way to disconnect the daytime running lights on the car.

I've heard of several different ways to turn them off, one way is to trip your e-brake switch so its always on, that turns them off, and supposedly there is a fuse you can pull, but you need to check your local laws etc to see if you need them on. GM put them there for a reason, it makes it easier for oncoming traffic to see you, do you really want to disable a safety feature?

There's a way to ground out some contacts on the BCM moduel so that it thinks that it's bright out all the time so it won't engage the DRL's. If you think your REALLY want no DRL's, then I can give you more info.

If I'm not mistaken the Daytime Driving Lights are a federal requirement since 1996. I believe that all passanger cars are required to have them and it may be illegal to disconnect them. I recall that when I was selling cars back in the mid 90's that the DRL's had to be on all cars by 99. I'm not positive but I would check with your local state inspection facility before disconnecting. It comes down to a safety issue all of our tax $$ went into a study that said the DRL's save lives. I'm glad the gov't, is looking out for me! Hell I just heard that you are not allowed to smok in your car if you live in NJ. What's next...no picking your nose in your own car?

[QUOTE=Hoags]If I'm not mistaken the Daytime Driving Lights are a federal requirement since 1996. I believe that all passanger cars are required to have them and it may be illegal to disconnect them. I recall that when I was selling cars back in the mid 90's that the DRL's had to be on all cars by 99.QUOTE]

I don't think that's correct. I don't have any proof but There are plenty og new cars on the road that still don't have them.

I dont plan on driving down the highway at midnight with my head lights off, ha. I would like to be able to turn off my lights for example when im pulling in my driveway at night and i dont want to wake any one up. So how do i set it up so my car thinks its bright out all of the time?

The ghetto way would be to engage the barking brake lever one click. Not sure if that'll be enough to engage the brake but it should turn the DRL's off. It shut them off on my other vehicles. I think with the Blazer you can intall a diode to cancel this out. Not sure if it's possible on a GA.

So how do i set it up so my car thinks its bright out all of the time?

Well I accept no responsibility, but if you really want it, here ya go:

http://www.grandamgt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17559&highlight=DRL

Proceed at your own risk - good luck.

I can't wait to find out how to disable them but the sight might be dead.

the site's not dead - it works fine

not working for me

Ok; well try copying this into your browser and pushing "GO".

http://www.grandamgt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17559

If I'm not mistaken the Daytime Driving Lights are a federal requirement since 1996. I believe that all passanger cars are required to have them and it may be illegal to disconnect them. I recall that when I was selling cars back in the mid 90's that the DRL's had to be on all cars by 99.QUOTE]


[QUOTE=muzzy1maniac]I don't think that's correct. I don't have any proof but There are plenty og new cars on the road that still don't have them.


you're right, they are not a federal requirement... Both my 2003 Ford Taurus and my new 2005 Mazda MPV do not have any DRL's


FYI... if you do the E-brake trick, it will turn off your ETC... as the computer won't function that if it thinks the E-brake is pulled (no big loss there though)

I don't see how making the computer think that it's bright all the time will help though.. as the DRL's are on during daylight hours:nono:

I pull the E-brake up one notch, like posted above, when I drive up into the driveway late at night.

Does any one know where to purchase a drl kit for a 99 grand am?

About the Fed. laws on DRL's, go to http://www.lightsout.org They have the skinny on stuff like, the laws. It is not mandatory for them anywhere, but maybe China or some other over populated third world countries. DRL's are a costly saftey feature. I have a 99 GA and I change my bulbs every 30-40 days due to high beam burn outs. I usually send them back to sylvania and get a replacement , but I still pay to ship the bulbs. Now lets not forget the altenator has to work none stop, have you priced an altenator for the 99' GA? 170-200$ causing YOUR car to consume more fuel. At over 2$ a gal. I think WE should deciede what OUR cars have and dont have, not a car companies. Blinding people in the day can't be a safty feature.I have several cars(gm) and I just deal with it.Hoping someone with a little brains on electronics can make a plug in module or something simpler than hacking the wires myself....

I think GM has stocks in Sylvainia lighting..... :)

I no there is a plug you can buy so you dont have to cut wires and have chance of messing something up, does any one know where to buy them at?

there WAS a small black box, about the size of a cigarett pack. It had four or five Wires you had to splice in.They do work. I have tried finding one myself, but I dont remember the performance web site that had it. This was a couple yrs ago though. Go look at EBAY, someone may have one new or used for your biding. Sorry I couldn't help. I'm just going to lie out the ass and have the dealship turn them off, but it requires them to alter the computer program. I herd it only takes 30 min. or less but I have no idea what they'd charge, and honestly moneys no object when I'm spending 20-40$ every couple months replacing bulbs.

Thats odd that you all have to replace them so often, ive had my '99 GA for a year now and i havent had to replace them yet.

Well I wouldnt replace them so much but I like the Silver Stars. Super bright for night cruzzin. The LONG LIFE bulbs or the standard lights last 5-6 months on my 99' GA. It's only the hight beam burning out. A dealer ship said it was due to to much heat and day driving(since GA's use high beems at a lower wattage)that shortens bulb life.Sounds like crap to mee. But If you cant see where your going your headed for trouble.

Well guys I stand corrected, But I do know that there was at least some talk about making DRL's mandatory, Because we would sit in sales meetings bitching about the gov't making all of these decisions for the buying public.

xeroinfinity: I would get your electrical system checked if I were you. I have not replaced a headlight yet in my 96 GAGT with the DRL's. You shouldn't be going through them like that. Are you using a cotton cloth or gloves when handling the bulbs, I know that will greatly decrease the life of the bulbs. If you are then there is something else causing the bulbs to go that fast.

My electrical system is just fine. I NEVER touch the glass. Not even with cloth gloves. The only lights that burn out 40 days or less are the Sylvania SilverStars'. I've had it checked and recheck by a third party who says all the volatges are just right. The heat is what the Ddealer Told me, so i thought of drilling a big hole in the top of my 200$ head light assmbly,.. NOT! I just use the cool blue and they're not as brite, but still brighter than standard bulbs.
I just dont think DRL's are nessesary, when it's raining or fogy in the day I turn on my head lights and my drls stay on, not the low beam headlights that should be on , high beams, till it's dark.? the dealer says thats normal too, not one but two different dealershits, Go figure.

That just boggles my mind that you are going through bulbs like that, even taking the precautions of not touching the glass. I'm even more surprised that there is no problem with the electrical sys. Is Sylvania the only ones that make the lights you like? I would think that they would be interested in finding out why they have to keep replacing bulbs for you. It's just too bad that you have to pay to ship them back for replacements. I hope something changes for you so you don't have to keep going through all of this B/S for something that you want on your car.

Ya Sylvania doesn't seem concerned at all. As far as I know there is not any other light bulbs to use just Sylvania. At least at my local Auto parts stores.
I even thought it might be when I shut the hood, dropping it from to high and rattling the filiments in the bulbs, but I shut it easily and it really didnt change. So out of it all I do believe it's the heat build up within the headlamp houseing. Well I only sent back 10-12 SilverStars, and a couple Cool Blue's. But now the Cool Blue's I'm using are over 6 months old. It's been the strangest car and most expensive I've ever had. But I just bought a 2001(whitie) last week. I haven't picked it up yet the dealer wanted to clean it up it's been sitting for a few months and well other than I havn't given them the check yet, but Monday it'll be mine! Hope it's better than my 99 :))

Well Xero, Good luck with the new one, are you hanging on to the 99? I hope for your sake the Whitie is a little more cooperative!!! What kind of goodies does the new one have? I've been out of the loop when it comes to the newer models. Even though mine's a 96 it's still going strong, I can't afford to up grade but if I could I would stick to the GA, I've had 3 of them and all have been good cars.

Good luck and keep us posted on the new one.

Ya Hoags I think I'll start a new thread latter the week,after I get all the skinny on my 2001. And yes I am keeping my 99', it's really my wifes ride she picked it out and bought it Without my guidance, so I'll never get back what I've put into it. The 99' has alot of what I call 'sleeper mods' it looks and sound stock but it's well over 200hp and still gets 25+mpg.

anyways...does any one know an easy way i can get rid of my headlights during the day.(besides taking out the glove box and cutting wires because im 100% sure id mess something up)

Have you nothing better to do than stress over DRL's. On our '04 GA with the automatic lamps at night if I don't want the headlights to come on I turn on the parking lights, quick simple and accomplishes my goal real easy. As for as DRL's and law I don't believe the US has mandated DRL's but canada has had a law on the books for over a decade now that all vehicles must have DRL's. My guess is automakers are using DRL's in most cars to increase safety, comply with canadian law, and the biggest reason is to buy more DRL components so they can get them cheaper and make the technology so common that it's inexpensive for them to buy. The latter will come in handy for the canadian cars and the US or other country cars when and if other countries make it mandatory for DRL's.

Have you nothing better to do than stress over DRL's. On our '04 GA with the automatic lamps at night if I don't want the headlights to come on I turn on the parking lights, quick simple and accomplishes my goal real easy. As for as DRL's and law I don't believe the US has mandated DRL's but canada has had a law on the books for over a decade now that all vehicles must have DRL's. My guess is automakers are using DRL's in most cars to increase safety, comply with canadian law, and the biggest reason is to buy more DRL components so they can get them cheaper and make the technology so common that it's inexpensive for them to buy. The latter will come in handy for the canadian cars and the US or other country cars when and if other countries make it mandatory for DRL's.


WOW! My 99' was made in Cananada. Maybe thats why I cant disable my DRL's....Thanks Catback

I used to have a GMC Sierra that had DRL. I engaged the parking brake one click when I wanted them off. This was also in my younger days when i was causing mischeif at night and the DRL gave me away. Nothing illegal or anything...just not exactly smart

Hi everyone.. I am a new member; this is my first post here. I was doing a google search for "Grand Am GT1", and I found your nice forum. When I stumbled onto this post about the annoying headlight issue, I thought I'd offer a bit of info in case it might be helpful to other Grand Am owners.
Elsewhere in this particular thread, there is a link that takes you to another forum, and specifically to a tutorial on how to finally get rid of your drl's and that darn annoying ALC sensor that turns your headlights on at dusk. That can be so annoying, as mine would come on simply from driving into a dense shady area.
Well, I followed that tutorial and I have finally gotten rid of both the drl's and the ALC. I finally have complete control over my headlights, running lights, and fog lights.
I took my project a step further though... I installed a simple slide switch so I can easily turn on my drl's if I want to, or if I go on an extended drive somewhere; like on the turnpike. I installed this switch way inside the glove box, and out of site and out of the way. I even made a neat lable for the face of the switch...drl's "on" / "off" .
I found the easiest access to that BCM module was when I removed the glove box; it is sitting right there and easy to work on. It is best if you slide the BCM out of its' holder, as you can do both your drl and ALC projects at the same time. It is easier to work on the wires when you slide that BCM out of the holder and let it drop down a few inches.
Please note : There are different wiring configuration for different year Grand Am's. I followed the tutorial specific to 1999 and 2000 Grand Am's. If you have a different year car, I think there are also other tutorials there too; you can possibly do a search for them there.
If you follow that tutorial and take your time, you should have no difficulty with the project. The mod works great, and does not produce any "service engine soon" dashboard light too. All functions remain intact; your only eliminating the drl's and the ALC sensor.
Man, I can't tell you how happy I was to finally have control over my own lights! I like to drive with my running lights and fogs when dusk is approaching. I like the looks of the car with the running/fog lights.
I hope I maybe helped a couple of members here.. Sorry for this very long post here, but I wanted to try to be specific.
Take care everyone!
Tommy; from Massachusetts

Why do you folks want to disable DRL's?
They work because your car is more visible. This has been proven in many countries for many years.

http://www.ibiblio.org/rdu/DRLs/studies.htm

You can be the best f*cking driver in the world, but if your car is less visible to other drivers, it is more likely they will not see you and turn in front of you, or do other things to put your family at risk.

So, please, consider your safety and those around you and dont disconnect the DRL's

Hello, and thanks for your reply. Of course I know their purpose... but I wish to be the one who decides if I want them turned on; not General Motors Corp.
Plus, I just installed SilverStar headlights, and I don't need the diminished bulb life that comes along with running the high beams at half brightness, and the strain of a conastant "on" and "off" of the bulb's filaments.
The frequent on & off of the bulb's filament is the most usual way that a bulb will burn out. Particularly here in New England winters where the bulbs are cold, and your drl's turn on your high beams at every car start.
So, I have my reasons as to why I don't want drl's. I think you perhaps mistook my reason as an asthetics issue... I should have worded my post a little better.
Nice chatting with you; take care..
Tommy

So tommygt1 where the heck is the place you got ur info?

That was why I originally came to this forum. I feel it should be up to the car owner not GM,FORD, Crysler or our Government. I too use the silverstars and they blow the high beams regularly, like every 30-40days. I just keep sending them back to Sylvania and they send replacements, or my money back w/reciept, but I pay shipping to them. I have a box of 5 bulbs I'm getting ready to send back. I was just leary if cutting the wires, but I've changed my mind and I'm ready to start CHOPIN!

Just replaced one last night. See I work part time at a track so I need my lights turned down. When I go to Fort Knox they put black-magnetic things over my DRL's.
I do understand the safty issue some people have, but if you dont pay attention expect to get runover with or without DRL's. If they are so safe why Hasnt trafic accidents declined? Why dont the seat belts keep you in the seat, thats a safty violation. I've been in two accidents . The first was a Firebird w/T-tops and I came up out of the seat and busted the top w/ my head. If I hadnt held on to the steeringwheel, for dear life, I would have been ejected. The 2nd was in a 93 GA, the belt let me out and I was tossed into the passenger seat. THe only ones who should have DRL's are Emergency Vehicles, Police, fire, amblance. Most accidents are avoidable, if only they looked before they pull out or put the damn phone down. Sorrie this subject makes me boil!! :) Thanks for listening \,,/

I don't think that's correct. I don't have any proof but There are plenty og new cars on the road that still don't have them.

Yeah my 01 Eclipse GT does not have Daytime running lights on it.

Hi... I got that info on another Grand Am forum that I found while doing google searches for drl info.
Somebody already posted the link to the site; it is on page 1 of this thread (the link, I mean..).
Gee, I think I maybe stirred up some anger in another poster here.. definitely not my intentions at all.. I am new here, so if I was out of place by writing about the drl's, my apologies... I thought it would be helpful to quite a few people who don't like drl's.
Like I mentioned though... the tutorial I followed was specific for 1999 and 2000 Grand Am's.. But I believe I did see other years listed there...
The mod was quite easy, but it is something you want to allow enough time for and don't rush through it. I spent all day on mine here, but I installed a switch... most people don't bother with that, and they just disable them completely.
Look on page 1 of this thread, and you will see the link for another forum (I hope that is o.k. to mention.. there's no competition, amongst forums is there???) (I hope not...)
Hope that helps you out a bit... Oh, I also found the ALC mod on that same site too... that was simply a snip of a sensor wire and then running a jumper; very easy.
Take care everyone...
Tommy

thankx tommy00 ! I totaly missed that url. You just did walk into a bees nest.LOL! This subject is touchie for some safty minded folks. I'm sure there is no foul no harm, just you late night/mid afternoon debate :) I read the other url, do you really need to cut the wire or just just splice into it? As the directions say Cut and dont metion all the re-connections and I'm not sure about just taping the ends I'll go for the heatshrink tubing i think. \,,/

Yes, I didn't mean to cause any troubles... I am brand new here, and I certainly do not want to get off on a wrong foot! I don't think I should have even posted anything about the mod......
Yes.. I did have to cut the wire; just as that tutorial says... If you decide to give it a try, follow that step-by-step and take your time; don't rush anything at all... too much room for cutting the wrong wire at the BCM.
Believe me.. I did not rush into this before I read other people's success with this mod first... If it were the slightest bit "iffy", I would not have even tried it. But I read different posts about quite a few people doing this successfully that I decided to give it a shot. It worked well for me, and I am happy to have the ability to control all my lights as I want them controlled.
Yes, your shrink tubing should work out well... I brought my soldering gun outside, and I made absolute sure that I followed that tutorial perfectly. I also used some shrink tubing, and I also taped the wires too, just for extra precaution.
The hardest part for me was finding the correct wires, as they are very small wires on the harness. And I have mobility problems with a bad spine, so that made it even more challenging for me to get into position to cut & solder in a confined area.
It would be well worth your while to take out your glove box, as it is easier to get access to the BCM from above it; as opposed to laying on the floor and looking "up" at it.
Also, make sure you follow the correct tutorial for your specific year car. The one I followed was for years 1999 and 2000 only. 2001 and other years have a different wiring configuration.
Good luck; take care..... Hope it works out well for you.
My apologies if I tee'd off anyone by mentioning this mod.... I'm gonna lay low now on the posts... I don't want to tee off anyone with mods; as some take safety measures seriously.
Take care buddy; good luck.
Tommy

i just checked the wireing harness behind my glove box on my 99 Ga. Found all the wires, just havent taken the plung yet. I do understand the directions now. If this works out I'll have to find the mod for my new ride,a 01 Ga. I shouldnt really have troubles, I did install a dvd player indash w/monitors on the back of the headrests, it works great. My kids enjoy that mod, I enjoy not hearing them fighting when on the road :) Thankx again

Keep it safe and Keep it outta da ditch \,,/