DRL Disable by pulling relay?

[Farleyscb]

I was wondering if anyone knew if there would be any negative side effectsby disabling the DRLs by pulling the relay. I have a 2003 GT and pulled the DRL relay, it shut off the the DRLs, I have not recieved the SVS light, and everything seems to be working fine. Just wondering if there was any information available.

[GTluver]

did u tried and running the car for a while w/ the relay / s oout? if so, and u havent got the svs light and when u turn ur regular lights on, they turn on normally.....why bother putting the relay in?

[Farleyscb]

I've been running it that way for over a week now with no problems. So I guess I just got lucky. I did read that t here was a small percentage of cars that would not throw the SVS light if the relay was pulled. Everything works fine and i have no DRLs so i'm happy with it the way it is

[luniz]

Did you just pull the whole relay out? I might have to try that. Its the relay under the hood right? The one that owners manual labels as DRL relay?

Don't you need pliers to get it out?

[GTluver]

hmm......lucky u.......i should do that too......ill let u know how it goes.........

[iceman]

Originally posted by Farleyscb
I've been running it that way for over a week now with no problems. So I guess I just got lucky. I did read that t here was a small percentage of cars that would not throw the SVS light if the relay was pulled. Everything works fine and i have no DRLs so i'm happy with it the way it is

Lucky you!!

Just background info .. the BCM monitors headlight voltage.. if it's not within spec, throws the SVS...

[Kodeblue]

Hmmmm I might give it a try on my 2000 SE, hope it works.

[Farleyscb]

I have a 2003 GT Coupe and on pages 5-84 and 5-85 of Pontiacs 2003 Grand Am Owners Manual it shows a drawing in which all of the relays and fuses of the are numbered. It also provides a list of what each numbered fuse or relay operates. The realy that Ipulled was number 22 and operates the daytime runnning lights. Like I said I pulled the relay over a week ago and have suffered no problems not even the dreaded SVS light. Everything else is still functional including the automatic headlamps. Apparently the BCM in my car does not seem to care that this particular relay wsa removed from the fuse block.

[iceman]

Some of the alero's dont care either.

Look in your service manual and you'll see the high beam and low beam voltage returns going to the BCM.. That's what it watches. Guess you are the lucky recipient of a bad BCM program :)

[luniz]

Originally posted by iceman
Guess you are the lucky recipient of a bad BCM program :)

Damnit, I want a bad BCM program:rage:

[Farleyscb]

as long as everything else still works I'm happy. I've always hated DRLs and kind of thought of them as pointless.

[01gt1]

Nobody answered one of the questions up in this thread.. How do you take out the Relay..? I tired today and I didn't want to break anything. Is there a special way haha? I want to try it to.. I don't care to have to turn on the lights by myself.

[iceman]

Remove fusebox cover.

Take out relay.

Replace fusebox cover.

[Mikey's GT]

Use a big ass screwdriver for leverage.

-Mike

[Kodeblue]

It didn't work for me on my 2000 SE. I got the SES light. :(

[XMBlackGT1]

Originally posted by Farleyscb
I was wondering if anyone knew if there would be any negative side effectsby disabling the DRLs by pulling the relay. I have a 2003 GT and pulled the DRL relay, it shut off the the DRLs, I have not recieved the SVS light, and everything seems to be working fine. Just wondering if there was any information available.


I will have to try this on my 2003 tomorrow when it is light out and I can see what I am doing. My luck, I have a working BCM. I will let ya know. Maybe the bcm's are different for the 2003's- who knows. later shawn

[Not2OLD]

Originally posted by Farleyscb
I was wondering if anyone knew if there would be any negative side effectsby disabling the DRLs by pulling the relay. I have a 2003 GT and pulled the DRL relay, it shut off the the DRLs, I have not recieved the SVS light, and everything seems to be working fine. Just wondering if there was any information available.

MAN! I love this site !

I was just thinking about this very thing. On the Grand Prix's, all you have to do is pull a 3 wire harness near the heat-sink left of the fuse block. No muss /no fuss and the twilight sentinel is not disabled.


I am going to try this as well. DRLs bug me.

T'anks Farley !

[iceman]

The side affect (what's supposed to happen) is you should get an SVS, and when your auto headlamps come on, it turns one of them on at kinda half intensity..

[Not2OLD]

Originally posted by iceman
The side affect (what's supposed to happen) is you should get an SVS, and when your auto headlamps come on, it turns one of them on at kinda half intensity..

I will disable it tonight, and look for those symptoms. Thanks!

[Kdawg207]

You don't need to do that and risk any issues. I have a 2003 also. Just pop open your window defrost vent and all they way to the driver's side is the DRL sensor. I just taped mine over with electrical tape making sure no light gets in and poof...no DRL's.
Now I can control my fogs seperate and during the day time all you do is switch to the parking lights and the headlights will remain off. Any questions let me know:cheers:

[peeps]

Originally posted by Kdawg207
You don't need to do that and risk any issues. I have a 2003 also. Just pop open your window defrost vent and all they way to the driver's side is the DRL sensor. I just taped mine over with electrical tape making sure no light gets in and poof...no DRL's.
Now I can control my fogs seperate and during the day time all you do is switch to the parking lights and the headlights will remain off. Any questions let me know:cheers: That is not a DRL sensor....it is an ambient light sensor (ALS)

[Kdawg207]

Originally posted by peeps
That is not a DRL sensor....it is an ambient light sensor (ALS)




What ever it is it worked. I know many people that have done it also.
If anyone wants proof I'll take pix

[iceman]

Of course it works. Your car thinks it is night time all time.

If I have to I'll dig up how all of the lighting systems in the car work, but I'm tired, so if anyone wants the details, go searchin :) .

[Kdawg207]

thanks iceman...gotta love support

[Farleyscb]

I've had no prblems since pulling the relay over a week agi. The best way to disable the ambient light sensor is to unplug it and jump the leads of the plug with a resistor (i believe a 1kohms resistor, less than $1 at radio shack) by doing this it fools the BCM into thinking its a sunny day all the time. All a ALS is is a photocell that varies the resistance due to different lighting situations.

[Kdawg207]

electrical tape worked fine
no need to do anything further
oh and I forgot


Farley: Yeah Jerzeee

[Not2OLD]

Well, I couldn't wait. I had a few minutes so I went down and pulled relay #22.

Started up the car, put it in drive...no warning lights and best of all, no DRL ! ! ! :thumbs:

I will keep an eye on it for a while.



Seth, do you think there is something different with the '03s that allow this ?

[IAM4U2NV]

Hey Mike, did you notice any difference in the intensity of your headlights? I too have an '03 GT, and am interested in the "no DRL's", but dont really want to buy the kit...or get the SVS light:(

[Kdawg207]

Originally posted by IAM4U2NV
Hey Mike, did you notice any difference in the intensity of your headlights? I too have an '03 GT, and am interested in the "no DRL's", but dont really want to buy the kit...or get the SVS light:(


Not at all. No difference in brightness..just how they come on. At night my lights come on like they always did. But during the day all I do is switch to parking lights and the lights go off and I control the fogs.

Free and easy. Took me all of 2 minutes. The defrost vent pops out like all the parts in a GM. I was just careful so I wouldn't scratch anything. I used the edge of a dull butter knife instead of a screwdriver. It gave me a nice soft edge and a large edge to pry up the vent. Then I found the sensor (looks like a maglight bulb) gave it a nice layer of tape so I know I covered it all. and that was it.

:cheers:

[Not2OLD]

Originally posted by IAM4U2NV
Hey Mike, did you notice any difference in the intensity of your headlights? I too have an '03 GT, and am interested in the "no DRL's", but dont really want to buy the kit...or get the SVS light:(


I haven't yet been able to really see what all is going on, as it's one of those rare "Big sunny days" here. I only had a couple of minutes so I just did some basic tests.

[Kdawg207]

Originally posted by gpnomo
I haven't yet been able to really see what all is going on, as it's one of those rare "Big sunny days" here. I only had a couple of minutes so I just did some basic tests.




oops I thought he meant me. Mike with an 03
sometimes it sucks to have such a common name

[Mikey's GT]

Originally posted by Kdawg207
oops I thought he meant me. Mike with an 03
sometimes it sucks to have such a common name

Yes, it sucks most of the time.

-Mike

[IAM4U2NV]

Originally posted by Kdawg207
oops I thought he meant me. Mike with an 03
sometimes it sucks to have such a common name


lol lol Sorry Mike #1...yes, I was referring to Mike #2 lol I guess I should have been more specific:rolleyes: BTW, if you get that dredded SVS light, dont you have to go to the dealer to get it fixed?

[Kdawg207]

Originally posted by IAM4U2NV
lol lol Sorry Mike #1...yes, I was referring to Mike #2 lol I guess I should have been more specific:rolleyes: BTW, if you get that dredded SVS light, dont you have to go to the dealer to get it fixed?

you can go to the dealer or to a mechanic with a computer to reset, but it will continue to come on until the conflict that is causing it is fixed.

Thats why I say tape off the sensor

:cheers:

[Panacea]

If I'm not mistaken, with the 2001+, can't you turn your parking lights on and get rid of the DRL's? If so, you don't have to cover your ALS nor pull out the relay?!?!

[Kdawg207]

Originally posted by Panacea
If I'm not mistaken, with the 2001+, can't you turn your parking lights on and get rid of the DRL's? If so, you don't have to cover your ALS nor pull out the relay?!?!

No that will only work at night
your DRL's will still shine in the day.

A drl kit or some handy tape or pulling the relay will all work in one way or another

[Not2OLD]

Originally posted by Panacea
If I'm not mistaken, with the 2001+, can't you turn your parking lights on and get rid of the DRL's? If so, you don't have to cover your ALS nor pull out the relay?!?!


You are correct, Sir. I do that in the morning now so I don't burn the retinas of the poor suckers that have the garden level apartments that I park by.
***Edit but it only works while in Park.***
I just don't like having to manually override the DRL.
I would prefer to just not have it.


If I get the SVS, I will put the relay back. I can't abide with any warning lights on my dash.

Sincerely,

Mike # 4,247

[Panacea]

You positive on that? I could have sworn my cousins DRL's were disabled when they put the parking lights on... Someone with a 2001+ verify this?

[Kdawg207]

I am positive. It will do what you are saying in park or at night. But in drive during the day the drl's will come on...trust me

[iceman]

Originally posted by Kdawg207
I am positive. It will do what you are saying in park or at night. But in drive during the day the drl's will come on...trust me

Yep.

[Kdawg207]

Quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Kdawg207
I am positive. It will do what you are saying in park or at night. But in drive during the day the drl's will come on...trust me
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Iceman
Yep.
__________________
--Seth
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Yep Yep...thanks again Seth :thumbs:

[Kodeblue]

Has anybody got this to work on a 2000 oer is it just the '03 model?

[Kdawg207]

That i can't answer. I never attempted any type of disable for my 00 GA

[Kodeblue]

I did try pulling the relay but got the error. I replaced it and the SVS went away. I might try the tape thing tonight at work.

[Kdawg207]

It can't hurt to look. You can actually see the sensor without removing anything. Just stand up on yur door kick panel and look through the windshield.


ALSO, before i removed the vent I tested it. I slipped a piece of paper through the vent over the sensor, put my parking lights on and put the car in drive. The lights went off and I knew it would work.
Just to save you time in case it doesn't work for you

[iceman]

I believe 99-00's don't have a parking light selector on the stalk, therefore you can't roll with parking lights only. Some people try and get the selector halfway between auto and headlights on, i suppose you could try??

[Bad324]

for a 2000, wat relay number is it???

[Kodeblue]

Ok, thanks. I'll let you all know tomorrow or later tonight if it actually works.

[Kodeblue]

Well, that took all of about 5 minutes to check. I taped that little sensor light up. Started the car and I had full headlights like I would after dark. I turned the switch to parking lights and the headlights remained on. So, for us 2000 SE guys, we're stuck getting the kit unless something else comes up, lol.

[Kodeblue]

Originally posted by Bad324
for a 2000, wat relay number is it??? Not 100% sure but on mine I think it was #22. When you open the lif for the fuse box under the hood and standing on the drivers side of the car, it is the top row 2nd relay from the left.

[IAM4U2NV]

Yeah...just followed a semi into town, so I was able to see the front of my car's reflection in his azz bumper, and the DRLs are on while driving, but when I put the car in park at the bank, the DRLs went off and the fogs and PLs stayed on...with the switch set to PLs obviously.

[Kdawg207]

Oh Well...I tried to help ya. I guess you'll need the kit ot look into the relays more.
Sorry I couldn't help ay more

[Kdawg207]

Originally posted by silverbullet00
Started the car and I had full headlights like I would after dark. I turned the switch to parking lights and the headlights remained on.


Did you put into drive after switching to parking lights

It will only do it in drive once you have taped it off

[Saccus]

I have a question, if the newer GAs have the light sensor near the drivers side, where is it for my 99 SE. I mean it has to be somewhere right, Im gonna also try to pull that relay tonight and see what happens.

[Kodeblue]

Originally posted by Kdawg207
Did you put into drive after switching to parking lights

It will only do it in drive once you have taped it off
Actually no, I did not put it into drive. I just taped off the sensor, turned the switch to parking lights, got out and seen that the full headlights were on. It is dark now so I will try tomorrow. After dark, there is no way for me to turn just the parking lamps on unless your method will work that way too. Maybe I will try tonight too.

[kong]

what about on a 99 gagt?

[Kdawg207]

Originally posted by silverbullet00
Actually no, I did not put it into drive. I just taped off the sensor, turned the switch to parking lights, got out and seen that the full headlights were on. It is dark now so I will try tomorrow. After dark, there is no way for me to turn just the parking lamps on unless your method will work that way too. Maybe I will try tonight too.


It should work. Just remember you have to be in drive and have the lights turned to park.
Lemme know how you make out

[Kdawg207]

Originally posted by kong
what about on a 99 gagt?

Not sure but like I said before

It can't hurt to look. You can actually see the sensor without removing anything. Just stand up on yur door kick panel and look through the windshield.


ALSO, before i removed the vent I tested it. I slipped a piece of paper through the vent over the sensor, put my parking lights on and put the car in drive. The lights went off and I knew it would work.
Just to save you time in case it doesn't work for you

Lemme know if it works for ya

[Panacea]

On the 99-00, maybe 01+ 02's the ALS is located in the middle of the dash, in between the two defroster vents. It does not make sense why they would move it to the drivers window defroster... It doesn't recieve as much light as where it was originally!

[Saccus]

so is there any way to just tape the sensor on a 99 SE??, like you can on the newer ones

[Kdawg207]

Originally posted by Panacea
On the 99-00, maybe 01+ 02's the ALS is located in the middle of the dash, in between the two defroster vents. It does not make sense why they would move it to the drivers window defroster... It doesn't recieve as much light as where it was originally!


The GA's Ive Had and seen only have 1 defrost vent in the front
I don't understand what you mean

[Cnix16]

it didnt work on my 99 se. i taped over the little bulb and then put my car in drive and put the parking lights on...the lights were still on.

[buzzzam]

Originally posted by Kdawg207
The GA's Ive Had and seen only have 1 defrost vent in the front
I don't understand what you mean

he means there are two vents the air come out of and one cover for both vents, my als is towards the driver side also.

[Bad324]

just pulled the #22 relay and that is the 1. it works and the driver side headlight is the 1 that preforms at half.

Brian

[XMBlackGT1]

I tried this weekend to pull the relay, with no success. I didnt want to break it, or scratch it up and then be questioned when I take the car in for something else. With my luck this weekend, I would have busted the relay in half. What bout pulling the relay with the headlamps on? Then you would be able to see if they are going to dim down? Would that work? I have about zero knowledge with electricity, so I am sorry if what I just said sounds stupid. thanks- shawn

[UNCTYPE-S]

well my 2 buddies have 02 gt's and they can having parking lights and fogs day and night. i thought the new ga's come with the override. my buddy i see all the time, he just sets his to parking lights, and puts it into drive,and doesnt have any drl's.

[Not2OLD]

After 3 days and 3 nights of driving, I can tell you;

Pulling relay 22 on my '03 disabled the DRL with no adverse effects.

Headlights are the same intensity at night-
highbeams are as they should be.

At night, I can switch to parking lamps with or without fogs

NO SVS light on dash

Twighlight sentinel works as designed.


Just a side note-
I did have to [gently] pry-up relay 22 with a very small screwdriver (firewall side) to get it to release from the fuse block.

[XMBlackGT1]

Originally posted by gpnomo
I did have to [gently] pry-up relay 22 with a very small screwdriver (firewall side) to get it to release from the fuse block.


How do I release the little clips that are holding the relay in on the back side of the relay (facing the next relay) without breaking the relay? Thanks

[iceman]

Originally posted by XMBlackGT1
How do I release the little clips that are holding the relay in on the back side of the relay (facing the next relay) without breaking the relay? Thanks

The whole relay just comes out..not too sure what you are lookin at.. if you have to, gently pull with a pair of pliers

[Not2OLD]

Originally posted by Farleyscb
I have a 2003 GT Coupe and on pages 5-84 and 5-85 of Pontiacs 2003 Grand Am Owners Manual it shows a drawing in which all of the relays and fuses of the are numbered. It also provides a list of what each numbered fuse or relay operates. The realy that I pulled was number 22 and operates the daytime runnning lights.


Check these pages in your owner's manual.

I don't recall coming across any retaining clips when I pulled the relay -

[Bad324]

i know i had to pull out the relay next to it first to be able to get the drl one out. i didnt run into any clips either. Also the drivers side headlight on my 2000 just BARELY turns on. it looks almost like a padidle.

Brian

[UNCTYPE-S]

yeah its kind of wedged in there and hard to pull out with ur fingers. with the other relays being next to each other.

[XMBlackGT1]

Woo Woo- I got it out. It took a ton of pulling to get it out, but it came out. I scratched the crap out of the relay, so, eventually, I will have to get a new one. NO SVS light! Tonite will be the test to see if the headlamps work properly- I hope they do. Will let you know tonite. When I pulled the relay on my 01 gt1, it threw a light up as soon as I started the car and shifted out of park. Maybe GM is getting smarter with their BCM.

For those of you that have taken the relay out, when you take the car in, do they ask why the drl's dont work? If so, I could play stupid and tell them that I thought they worked and maybe they would put a new, unscratched relay in there for me, that I could soon remove. lol

[XMBlackGT1]

Originally posted by XMBlackGT1
Woo Woo- I got it out. It took a ton of pulling to get it out, but it came out. I scratched the crap out of the relay, so, eventually, I will have to get a new one. NO SVS light! Tonite will be the test to see if the headlamps work properly- I hope they do. Will let you know tonite. When I pulled the relay on my 01 gt1, it threw a light up as soon as I started the car and shifted out of park. Maybe GM is getting smarter with their BCM.

For those of you that have taken the relay out, when you take the car in, do they ask why the drl's dont work? If so, I could play stupid and tell them that I thought they worked and maybe they would put a new, unscratched relay in there for me, that I could soon remove. lol



And they work! No reduction in brightness. The low beam and high beam lights work properly. Thanks for the assistance removing the relay.

[Not2OLD]

Originally posted by XMBlackGT1

For those of you that have taken the relay out, when you take the car in, do they ask why the drl's dont work? If so, I could play stupid and tell them that I thought they worked and maybe they would put a new, unscratched relay in there for me, that I could soon remove. lol


I haven't yet had to have my car serviced, when that time comes, I will prolly leave it out. Should they say something, I may play dumb. I strongly suspect they are too busy to go looking for other problems. Besides, I think I am going to be difficult about my RF rotor. 2600 (yes, hundred) miles and you'd think there's gravel between the caliper and rotor. Sorry I am waaaay *offtopic*

[Farleyscb]

Yeah i have'nt gone in for service either, but since it is like a 2 minute fix i might just pop the relay in when i go to the dealer ad pop itout when i get home. that way i avoid any hassles.

[Farleyscb]

it currently seems this fix only works on the 2003 models. the rest of you will probably need that DRL kit.

[Mikey's GT]

Originally posted by Farleyscb
it currently seems this fix only works on the 2003 models. the rest of you will probably need that DRL kit.

Actually, its hit or miss on the 2003. It works on some, not on others. Ironically, it doesn't work on my '03.

-Mike

[Farleyscb]

well thats too bad. It worked on mine, thank god!!!

[drburns]

Ok, I just tried to pull the relay on my '02 GAGT, and it didn't work. I got the half power headlight thingy. Must be an '03 change.

[Gimli]

Originally posted by silverbullet00
Actually no, I did not put it into drive. I just taped off the sensor, turned the switch to parking lights, got out and seen that the full headlights were on. It is dark now so I will try tomorrow. After dark, there is no way for me to turn just the parking lamps on unless your method will work that way too. Maybe I will try tonight too.

That won't work on the Canadian GAs because the DRL are mandatory here. I think pulling the relay might give an SVS only on the Canadian GAs as well (2003+). Looks like GM listened to their clients and made disabling the DRLs easier, just not for the Canadian folks.

[Magnum]

It works on some Cdn GA's at least. Mine have been disabled for over a week now. No SVS, no funky headlight issues.

[Gimli]

Ok then, the relay works on some Canadian too :D

I know the parking light thing won't work though on Canadian GAs.

[jayno20]

if i pull that relay #22 out of my 99 SE, besides that stupid SVS light coming on, the drl stay off right??? is that SVS light the only difference between pulling that relay, and buying the DRL override kit??

[Kodeblue]

Yes, the only thing thing you get is the SES light, I wouldn't do it because what would happen if another problem triggers your SES light and it is already on because you pulled the fuse. You would not know you had another problem.

[AaronGAGT]

Originally posted by silverbullet00
Yes, the only thing thing you get is the SES light, I wouldn't do it because what would happen if another problem triggers your SES light and it is already on because you pulled the fuse. You would not know you had another problem.

SES? I thought it'd be SVS....

[Kodeblue]

SES, SVS SOS, it's all the same, lol. Yes, you are correct, it would be the SVS light, lol.

[jayno20]

svs light is no biggy i can deal with that being on, i mean its only good for telling u when a light bulb is burnt out or ur gas cap isnt on anyway, its the SES light i would worry about coming on, but it doesnt so i pulled the relay for automatic parking lights, and automatic lamps, and left the DRL in and covered up that sensor on the dash so NO DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS, but i do get the SVS light..... im just gonna pull the bulb out of the back of the cluster :)

[jayno20]

what all does the SVS come on for? like what problems that the car has does it trigger this light? cause if its not THAT important then im just gonna pull the light out from behind the cluster, i know the SES light is much more important to have..

[Bad324]

ur drivers side headlight will also look like it is out at night.

[UNCTYPE-S]

yes that is what i thought. you will have an svs light and also at night one of ur headlights will be dimmer then the other one. dude its not worth it, but its your choice.

[Kodeblue]

Is the SES & SVS light not the same?

[Not2OLD]

Originally posted by silverbullet00
Is the SES & SVS light not the same?

SES = Service Engine Soon

SVS = Service Vehicle Soon

[Mikey's GT]

SVS lights are thrown by the BCM, or body control module. 99% of the time, the light is lighting-related, and even then its usually a blown bulb.

-Mike

[jayno20]

no if u pull the DRL relay one light looks like its out, i pulled the automatic headlamps, and automatic parking light relays and they dont come on, but at night they look fine, and all i get is the SVS light..

[Bad324]

ok, when i pulled mine on my 2000, u get an svs light, no drl's, and when the lights are on the drivers side one is basically out. jayno - did u pull all 3 at the same time? and are you saying that with whatever u did pull, the headlights both light up at full intensity?

Brian

[j_espo1]

well since iceman decided to kill my 2003 GAGT DRL diasble thread ':thumbs:'...... i pulled the #22 relay and the DRL's are GONE!!! no SVS light or anything else-yet. I drove the car for about 45 minutes after i pulled it. thnaks to everyone who shared knowledge/experiences on the old thread and this one.:thumbs:

[Natedog]

I was successful as well... i have a 2003 GT and i have no SVS light or anything... pulled #22 and now i have no lights in the daytime to shine through my blackouts... I LOVE IT!!.. thanks all

Nate:cheers:

[Avsguy01]

So to sum it up.....pulling the relay #22 turns off the daytime running lights? I dont need to do that cause i really dont mind the lights but i do love the fact that you can turn the lights off at night without pulling anything! I dont think my 2000 did that but my 2003 does it for sure.