Disable automatic headlights

Hi guy's,

Is there a way to disable the automatic headlight feature. I tried looking in the manual for a fuse to pull, but I haven't been able to find anything.

Thanks in advance for your help.

The little light sensor that controls them is on the dash, its the little black nub thing. Im sure if you wanted to rip apart the dash and disconnect it that would work, but im not even sure about that. Someone else might know of an easier way too.

Also if you start the car with the parking brake engaged, the lights will not come on automatically, but youll have that annoying "BRAKE" light on, and the chiming sound, but the lights wont come on, even if you only push it in one click, which will also have no adverse affects on driving.

I would honestly have to ask why youd ever want too, theyre one of my favorite features, both for safety and convenience.

On the F-Body (Camaro / Firebird) the Camaro has the auto headlight function, but the Firebird doesn't since they are pop-up lights. The exception for this is Canada since they require all cars to have auto headlights (so I've heard). Due to the Canada laws, the Firebird shares the exact same wiring ... with the auto headlight feature disabled in the US, but enabled in Canada, eh?

It can easily be disabled on the Camaro following the exact same method that GM uses for dsiabling it on the Firebird. Unplug the sensor and shove a piece of wire in there, cover with electrical tape. OK, so maybe GM has a specific plastic cap they use, but the principle is the same.

I can only imagine that the Intrigue would use the same method. Simply unplugging the sensor would have the effect of making the lights come on all the time. You have to complete the circuit to turn them off.

Your milage may vary ... but on the Camaro, I shunted the sensor connection and never had a problem. Looking at the wiring diagram for the F-Body, it shows the Firebird "delete option" for USA sales ... shunt it. When I got the Firebird, I took a peek and there was a jumper in place of the sensor.

I don't mind the feature, however mine comes on so soon after it just starts to get a little dusk. If there is still enough daylight to see I don't want them on. I wish it was adjustable.

Most states have laws concerning the time of day when your headlights need to be on, typically its at or a little before dusk. Personally I think automatic headlights and DRLs are one of the best safety features ever made, and they have helped me see many oncoming cars that I may not have seen otherwise due to the color of the car, etc. So im glad that you can see amazingly even at dusk, but that doesnt mean everyone else can, and Im sure you arent the only car on the road.

Same goes for when it rains, here in MO we have a law that states that if your wiper blades are running, your headlights need to be on, unfortuneately, even in the hardest rains, theres always that *insert expletive here* that says "oh i can see just fine" even though I can barely see with my wipers running on high.

Im sorry if im coming off like a jerk, but these are excellent safety features and should be treated as such, you arent the only car on the road.

End Rant, and im really not trying to be a jackass, im just trying to make a point. There have been so many times that I have literally not been able to see vehicles in the hard rains until they have been too close to do anything about it that i wish DRLs were mandatory on every car, and that stupid people would just turn their headlights on.

On the F-Body (Camaro / Firebird) the Camaro has the auto headlight function, but the Firebird doesn't since they are pop-up lights. The exception for this is Canada since they require all cars to have auto headlights (so I've heard).


FYI Its DRLs here in Canada that are mandatory. Makes it an annoyance for importing vehicles from the US that don't have them! Sometimes easy to add sometimes not.

I have to agree that the DRL/auto headlights are great features. I almost rear-ended a truck that had no lights at all showing at 10:30 at night after it was completely dark (this was on a dark road with no streetlights).

Most states have laws concerning the time of day when your headlights need to be on, typically its at or a little before dusk. Personally I think automatic headlights and DRLs are one of the best safety features ever made, and they have helped me see many oncoming cars that I may not have seen otherwise due to the color of the car, etc. So im glad that you can see amazingly even at dusk, but that doesnt mean everyone else can, and Im sure you arent the only car on the road.

Same goes for when it rains, here in MO we have a law that states that if your wiper blades are running, your headlights need to be on, unfortuneately, even in the hardest rains, theres always that *insert expletive here* that says "oh i can see just fine" even though I can barely see with my wipers running on high.

Im sorry if im coming off like a jerk, but these are excellent safety features and should be treated as such, you arent the only car on the road.

End Rant, and im really not trying to be a jackass, im just trying to make a point. There have been so many times that I have literally not been able to see vehicles in the hard rains until they have been too close to do anything about it that i wish DRLs were mandatory on every car, and that stupid people would just turn their headlights on.I agree, mostly, however my car has the head lights come on too soon. The sun is not even starting to set, or my car is shaded just a little bit and they come on. There should be a setting, for sensitivity. I like my drl, I think that they are better then having the hb come on or even lb. I just want to be able to turn them off when the car is in park even. There is no way to turn them off once the car is going, unless the proper amount of light hits the sensor. It is a p.i.t.a.... I wish there was a way like newer gm trucks. Would be very nice......

Can the sensor not be pulled up slightly out of the dashboard? I installed autolamps in my 2000 Ford Explorer and it is totally adjustable electronically, but some fellows wanted the lights to come on sooner and did not know how to adjust the setting. So, what they did was put a piece of window tint over the sensor to make the sensor think it is darker than it is.

Yeah, that would work to get it to come on sooner.

I noticed mine started coming on a little more often/sooner after I got my windows tinted.

But the OP doesnt want them to come on as soon....so I guess he/she needs to mount a little flashlight up there:)