Always on headlights

[tommy00gt1]

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

[MagicRat]

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

[tommy00gt1]

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

[xeroinfinity]

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 \,,/

[cficare68]

Originally Posted by 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.

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

[tommy00gt1]

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

[xeroinfinity]

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. \,,/

[tommy00gt1]

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

[xeroinfinity]

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 \,,/