Lights and locks

Ok, I need some kind of final answer. I've been told so many different things by so many people, I have to get this straightened out. I have a 99 silverado Z. For some reason, the 99 will not let you cut the headlights off at night, no matter how many times you push the override button, nor will it let you change the doors locking at 20 MPH. I asked the mechanic at the GMC place if he had ever changed any of this w the computer there at the shop. He said that he knew for a 99 he could change the "rolling locks", but had never heard of being able to give me the option to turn my headlights off manually. Which is real, because I hate not being able to cut my headlights off unless I turn the truck off. Is it possible for the GM people to re-program my truck to do this, or am I just SOL?

my friends and i figured out how to turn them off at night a few years ago

you push your dome light (the little circle button next to your headlight switch) 4 times.

1.. 2.. 3.. 4 and your headlights turn off

push it 4 more times to to them back on.

It's not as easy as swithing em on and off but you get used to it.

good luck!

my friends and i figured out how to turn them off at night a few years ago

you push your dome light (the little circle button next to your headlight switch) 4 times.

1.. 2.. 3.. 4 and your headlights turn off

push it 4 more times to to them back on.

It's not as easy as swithing em on and off but you get used to it.

good luck!

doesn't work on 99 models. 2000 and up. R&D automotive makes a headlight override kit that you can install that allows you to manually control your lights with the switch

That kit sounds kinda like what I want. I've also been told that if I un-hook the sensor in the dash and use a jumper wire to complete the circuit, that the auto-lights would be disabled. Is this true? I'm talking to another Chevy dealership in the morning and raking them over the coals..

I've heard of that...but I don't really like the idea of splicing wires.

Plus it may or may not work. If it doesn't, then you have no sensor and your lights would most likely stay on constant.

I went to a "Good" GM place today, and they told me that to get to the sensor, I'd have to take the dash pad off which I'm not doing. As far as the locks, they said that they could program it, but it would take as long as an hour and a half and probably around $125 which I can spend on a cool air intake...I believe I've caught shaft.

My Buddy had a 98 S10. We just pulled out the automatic headlight Relay out of the relay box under the hood. Just had to turn them on manually from then on.

My Buddy had a 98 S10. We just pulled out the automatic headlight Relay out of the relay box under the hood. Just had to turn them on manually from then on.

ahh, 1 of the numerous differences between the Silverado and the S-10.

Man, I wish it was that easy..oh well.

As to using a jumper to bypass the auto light system. It will NOT work. The system requires a voltage to pass at all times through the wire. The varying amount of voltage is what tells the sensor to turn the lights on or off. The are two ways to replicate this. The first and easiest, though sloppy, is to install a light underdash. When the truck is turned on, the light bulb will turn on, tricking the sensor. The second way, is to remove the sensor and put a variable resistor in it's place. By adjusting the POT you will be able to send the correct amount of voltage to the system to make it think that it is daytime all the time.

If you want to just cut them off while sitting still(I learned this while parking out in the country :smokin: ) Just barely push down on the emergency brake, turn the truck off, then cut it back on. The lights will be off until you release the brake, then they cut back on.

I really like having the option of having full-control of the lights IF I want, but also having the option of letting them control themselves. That R&D thing sounds exactly like what I want, but I cannot find it anywhere.

[QUOTE=yoskater]my friends and i figured out how to turn them off at night a few years ago

you push your dome light (the little circle button next to your headlight switch) 4 times.

1.. 2.. 3.. 4 and your headlights turn off

push it 4 more times to to them back on.

It's not as easy as swithing em on and off but you get used to it.

good luck

Once you have operated the dome light so that the lights are off you can manually control them with the light switch! Give it a try

Since I first posted, I've found out how to permanently disable the auto-light feature. I cut the 2 wires that ran from the sensor in the dash, about 2 inches from the plug ont he BCM. I then wired a 1/2 watt, 1.5K ohm resistor between the wires. No MORE AUTOLIGHTS!!!

with a little thought a dpdt switch could be inlined to bypass resistor to allow auto feature. Leads from Bcm to middle poles. resistor between poles on one side, sensor on poles on opposite side. flip switch to override (with resistor) or allow (sensor) auto lights. switch could then be mounted out of site. say in center console or ashtray.

Ok, I have a question. This would require a 3 prong switch? I've sat down before and tried to draw out how to do what your talking about, but can't quite get it. I would LOVE this feature so any input will greeeatly help me.

you will need a dpdt throw switch ( 6 poles) the wiring would work like this.
1 2 3
4 5 6
bridge 1 and 4 with resistor; connect bcm to 2 and 5; connect sensor to 3/6 use same wire orientation for this as 2/5 from bcm. this should allow the switch to connect 2/5 and 1/4 in one position thus disabling the auto feature or connect 2/5 to 3/6 in the other position allowing sensor to control head lights. Make sure you get solid connections to the switch and insulate them to prevent accidental shorts.

Mounting options would only be limited by wire length.

Man, you have no idea how much that helped me. It's not that hard, I guess I just wasn't thinking about it. I had a relay and all kinds of mess figured into it.

glad I could help. Let me know how it works.