HOW TO: Override DRLs on a GA

[armith]

Ok. This I know for sure works on 99-00 model GAs. This makes for an alternative for the DRL kits that are no longer in production. There is hint that a fully Plug and Play version is underway which I would recommend if you want to return to stock easily. If you are brave enough to mess with the BCM wiring there here you go.

First do not remove any relays or fuses; however, I highly recommend that you unplug your negative battery terminal.. Don't want to risk popping fuses or pooching the Body Control Module (BCM).

The BCM is located on the passenger side under the dash. There isn't much space to work with so to get the most space I would recommend that you remove your glovebox as well as the under dash panels. The BCM looks like a black box about the size of a CD jewel case. It will have 3 connectors.. 1 pink and two gray.

no drl
at the BCM, locate Connector C2 (center)

On the "B" side row of pins, locate the dark blue wire (b4)

Cut this wire, leaving as much as possible still attached to the BCM.

Now simply add on a piece of wire to the side that is still connected to the body control module. attach this wire to a good ground, like a screw in the metal part of the dashbehind the glove box or I used the interior light mounting bracket screw right there next to the BCM.

The BCM now see's this to mean that the regular headlights are on, and so it energizes the relay that turns off the DRL's.

ALC bypass
at connector C2 find A3 the yellow/black wire, and B2 light green/black wire.. be careful because there are two light green/black wires on that connector.. the one you want is closest to the yellow/black wire.

cut these wires again leaving as much wire as possible attached to the BCM.. simply tie the two wires together and tape them up real good. (this is the same thing as removing ambient light sensor and adding a jumper wire)

The BCM will now think that it is daylight all the time and it will not energize the relay to turn on the headlights.

independant fogs instructions are available just PM me. Most people have been concerned about DRL and ALC bypasses..

Thanks to Monello and Iceman for helping me the instructions and correct pinouts.

[AaronGAGT]

Wow... DRL and ALC bypass was easy... thanks armith! :thumbs:

[zhd1000]

is there a way that i could wire my regular headlamps to a switch so they could be turned off when i want to turn them off?

[iceman]

SVS.....???

[Brutis]

i pm'ed him earlier, he said no svs light on 1999 and 2000 GAs (those are the only ones he tested)

I am gonna try it on my 1999 GA this weekend and will take pics of procedure and post them if it works. If I get a svs light all i have to do is re-join the wire with the original one.

[iceman]

Ok.. because I know mine (2001) has a lead where the BCM knows if the switch is in the auto position.. and if light relays are turned on, svs comes on right quick..

[armith]

Originally posted by zhd1000
is there a way that i could wire my regular headlamps to a switch so they could be turned off when i want to turn them off?

what year? the ALC bypass does just that.

And no SVS light.

[Black2K1GT]

I am going to try this on my 2001 this weekend, will post the results.

[peeps]

Originally posted by Black2K1GT
I am going to try this on my 2001 this weekend, will post the results.
Originally posted by iceman
Ok.. because I know mine (2001) has a lead where the BCM knows if the switch is in the auto position.. and if light relays are turned on, svs comes on right quick..

[Black2K1GT]

Originally posted by peeps


Opps, bad timing :D

[iceman]

Hey you are welcome to try :thumbs:

[Black2K1GT]

Originally posted by iceman
Hey you are welcome to try :thumbs:

I will give it a try and see what happens......what is the worst that could happen.......:rolleyes:

[PontiacGT2K]

Has anyone tried to put this procedure on a switch?

[BMOBYLE]

Sweet armith!!

I'm gonna try also this weekend!

Did you have a schematic or something?
How'd you find this?

[Brutis]

im giving it a try this weekend, if i find a switch sitting around my messy garage (likely i will) ill put it on there.

[iceman]

Well if you want to switch between stock / mod.. easily done with a relay.

Pin 85 - ground
Pin 86 - + from a switch

Pin 30 - BCM side of that wire listed (C2-B4)
Pin 87A - Car side of that wire
Pin 87 - ground


switch on, turns on override.. switch off.. stock

[armith]

I had some help with someone who had done the overrides on their car.. Gave me the instructions.. was a little confused on certain parts.. I then happened to find a schematic on how the light systems work.. did a little trial and error luckily succeeded first time.

See I thought there was something a little different with the 01+ models.. Thats why I made sure I posted 99-00. Knowing that the biggest difference is with our models.. Our choice was DRLs, full head lights or full headlights.. I know the 01 and up have that wonderful option of flipping to parking lights and taping the light sensor..

Wonder what kind of rocket science complicated wiring they will come up with now that all this has been cracked. I'm sure the 04 or Gen 6 models will have something like override the DRLs and it will burn out a tail light or something.lol hmm.. wonder if Amber has her DRLs bypassed?:cheers:

[cavingman]

03 you can yank the relay and you dont get a svs :D

[armith]

Took them 4 years to engineer it to do that too I guess

[armith]

ok I added the ALC bypass to my first post with the DRL instructions. Thanx to Iceman for sending me the correct pinouts for the Light Sensor wire.

Correct me if I'm wrong those of you with 01 and up.. but I do believe that the ALC bypass should still work for ya because the instructions are the same as removing the Ambient Light Sensor and adding a piece of wire.. Is this the case? or will this throw a SVS?

[PontiacGT2K]

This may be a really dumb question...but where's the BCM located?

[shawn2ktats]

so foe 2000 can you pull the relay? will it give you a light? i dont care about a light as long as it works?

[armith]

so foe 2000 can you pull the relay? will it give you a light? i dont care about a light as long as it works?

Pulling the relay can have adverse effects other than the SVS.. I believe pulling the ALC relay will make one headlight extremely dim because of how the Headlights are wired to the BCM. As for the DRLs.. If you don't care about the SVS then I would suppose pulling the Relay could be an option.. but for the DRLs its only a matter of grounding 1 wire and there is no SVS light. Being you have a 2000 these instructions should work for ya.

This may be a really dumb question...but where's the BCM located?

I have updated the instructions to describe where the BCM is. It is located on the passenger side below the glove box..

[AaronGAGT]

I have a 2000 and this mod is extremely easy (45 mins max) and you'll have absolutely no problems at all and COMPLETE control of all the headlights... day or night!

[Monello]

Hey guys, the only reason i didnt post this before was because of the fear of some of you guys burning something up. Just becareful when you do this, it took me a long time to figure it out, and didnt want the people who made the DRL kit to get mad at me for giving people the instructions for free.

[Brutis]

Originally posted by Monello
.......didnt want the people who made the DRL kit to get mad at me for giving people the instructions for free.

bah.....$100 for a kit? or $1 for a roll of electricians tape. Should of shared earlier. Not shooting down the DRL kits, cause they are a good product, but when you can do the same exact thing with next to nothing out of your pocket (most have the stuff to do this sitting around the garage)........i mean id tell people bout it.

[armith]

The DRL kits are still a good option for the fact that the new ones will be completely Plug and Play so that you can go from back to factory stock without having any cutting or anything done to the wiring. As far as I know the DRL kits will also work on all models 99 to 03. They spent the time and money to develop a very simple and very friendly way to alter the BCM without hacking it up.. Your paying for the convenience and the excellent instructions they provide.. Plus they give technical support for their product.. I will try to help as much as I can as well.

I just don't want anyone to get bent up over this.. The point of these boards is to share our knowledge. I don't knock the DRL kits.. He!! I'm one of the original supporters of them..

[currentman]

and exactly how did you figure it out pat ?:rolleyes:

[Monello]

i had the help of having someone tell me how to do it =), but you said not to post it cause people would make their **** go boom. lol

[armith]

Well I stated that if your brave enough to mess with the BCM wiring then try at your own risk.. Otherwise DRL kit is the way to go. $100 is still a hell of a lot better than $300 for new BCM plus the headaches that come with trying to reprogram it to your car.

I just felt that this knowledge should have been shared.. Its shouldn't be some big secret.. I would also hope that most people who mod their cars would have the common sense to be careful with these types of mods.. Unplug battery terminal, pay attention to what wires are what, etc...

[Brutis]

no more DRLs for me, great mod, if anyone needs pics of this stuff i got some.

[armith]

I think I am gonna put together the instructions onto Acrobat PDF format.. That way its all in one tidy little file.. Can be downloaded and what not.

[PontiacGT2K]

just did this last night...took like 15 minutes. Works well!

[compcg]

Ok so I just installed the drk kit on my 00 gt. And for some reason my fog lights don't work at all. Can someone tell me what the prob might be?? I'm thinking that maybe a wire is not on right on the kit, would anyone know which wire is the one for the fog lights????

[armith]

I'm not sure about how the DRL kit is setup.. but the Drk Green/white wire on the first gray connector is the output wire. and the Switch wire is the orange wire on the pink connector.

if you purchased the DRL kit you should get tech support from the DRL gurus.. Otherwise I think iceman is your best chance.

[Mikey's GT]

Originally posted by compcg
Ok so I just installed the drk kit on my 00 gt. And for some reason my fog lights don't work at all. Can someone tell me what the prob might be?? I'm thinking that maybe a wire is not on right on the kit, would anyone know which wire is the one for the fog lights????

Orange and green are the 2 fog control wires on the kit harness. Also check to make sure a solder joint didn't break on the switch.

-Mike

[MJSilver00]

Hey Armith... I tried this mod today and something went wrong. I disconnected the negative terminal on my battery, took out the glove box and the panels under the dash, and then disconnected the middle harness on the BCM. To disable the DRLs I located the dark blue wire (the only one in that harness) which was on the bottom row, four over from the right, and cut it. I stripped this wire back, soldered an extension wire to it, and connected it to the frame for a solid ground. After reconnecting the battery, and starting the car, I put it in gear and saw my DRLs flutter on and off (reflection from garage wall), and then turn off. Problem is my service vehicle soon light came on. I double checked my connections and the ground I was using, and finally just took my extension wire and connected it back to the car end of the original dark blue wire so it would be back to normal. Now it still does the same thing, when the car goes in gear the DRLs flutter and go out, and I have a constant service vehicle soon light...even though I put the connection back to normal. Can you tell me what to check here? Or worse....could I have fried my BCM? Thanks for any help...

Mike

[PontiacGT2K]

Probably put it to a bad ground? Or you're crossing wires... I could help ya out with wiring if you'd like?

[MJSilver00]

Thanks GT2K..... As far as the ground, I actually scratched off the paint in a small area of the car frame that is to the right of the glove box and grounded it to that. As far as the connections...I havent tried the ACL override yet, so all I did is cut the one dark blue wire for the DRLs and run a jumper from the BCM side to the ground on the frame. I even soldered the extension wire to the BCM wire to make sure I had a good connection. When this didnt work (DRLs flickered, went out, then tripped the svs lite), I just took that extension wire that was connected to the BCM side of the dark blue DRL wire, and connected it to the car side of that wire, which should have completed the orignal circuit how it was. Now when I put the car in gear, the DRLs still flutter and go out, and then trip the svs light. .... Did you do this mod? If it has worked for other people then I must be doing something wrong.

[Brutis]

Here is where you should ground the wire that comes from the BCM. (the screw next to the 194 bulbs)

[MJSilver00]

Thanks Brutis, I will give that a shot!

[MJSilver00]

Just wanted to post and say thanks to Armith for giving the instructions on how to do this, and thanks Brutis for posting that pic on where to ground the DRL wire. I now have no DRLs, full control over my headlights, and no svs light! Thanks for taking the time guys to help us all out and share the knowledge!
:cheers:

[Gt00]

Anyone have any pics of this mod ? . I don't want to cut the wrong wire . :D

[Brutis]

http://www.brutis.net/DRL-pics.zip

zipped them all together, all you need to know is Middle Harness on BCM and the light blue wire, there is only one light blue, it should be pictured well in those pics. The pics are only of the overide of the DRLS not the ALCs, but it show you the jist of what to do.

[Gt00]

Thanks , i was looking for a dark blue wire . I wasn't sure enough to cut anything without checking . :)

[smoove99gase]

does this mod give you full control of the lights as well as being able to have your fog lights on with the parking lights??

[armith]

Originally posted by smoove99gase
does this mod give you full control of the lights as well as being able to have your fog lights on with the parking lights??

Absolutely.. complete manual control of headlights day or night, no DRLs, and you can fogs on when parking lights are on..

[MJSilver00]

Originally posted by Gt00
Thanks , i was looking for a dark blue wire . I wasn't sure enough to cut anything without checking . :D

I used the dark blue wire like the instructions said and that worked. Maybe you can use either one?

[armith]

I is a pair of LT blue wires on that connector.. one goes to parking brake light and the other goes to the passenger door handle.. Probably to turn on the dome lights when the door is open..

Anyway, I'm glad everything is working well for ya.:cheers:

[Gt00]

Originally posted by MJSilver00
I used the dark blue wire like the instructions said and that worked. Maybe you can use either one? Hold on now i'm confused , is it the drk blue wire or a light blue wire ? ( The pics show a light blue wire and the instructions say drk blue . )

[shawn2ktats]

i dont see anything under my glovebox:confused:

[armith]

It is the dark blue (B4) wire on the middle connector...

I think it might just be the camera angle or the flash or something that makes it look light blue.. The light blue wires have nothing to do with the lighting circuits.

[MJSilver00]

GT00, check this out.. I followed Armith's instructions on the first page exactly(colors and all), and it worked. For a picture of where to ground that DRL wire, see the one Brutis posted in reply to my question about earlier in the thread. I did this exactly according to the instructions and my DRLs and auto headlights are disabled, with no svs light. The fogs can be turned on or off with the fog light switch any time the parking or headlights are turned on. hope this helps!

mike

[Gt00]

OK , it's the drk blue wire ( b4 ) in the centre connector . Is this the only drk blue wire in that connector ? I can't see any b4 markings ( i wonder if Canadian vehicles are different )

[MJSilver00]

i didnt see that on mine either, but i think it was 4th position from the right on the bottom row in the connector.

[armith]

My bad.. Its hard to see.. On the back side of the connector where the wires go into the connector they are labeled A and B.. Its really small and hard to see.. unless its in a well lit area.. definately may want to pull out the old reading glasses if your really content with reading it.

like it was said.. 4th one over bottom row.

It is the only dark blue wire on the connector. As a matter of fact I think its the only dark blue wire there period..

[armith]

Originally posted by shawn2ktats
i dont see anything under my glovebox:confused:

If you pop the panel off under the dash on the passenger side.. you will see a black box about the size of a CD jewel case with 3 connectors.. Thats the BCM..

I just suggested popping out the glovebox too just to give a little more hand room and better access to the BCM wires.

[MJSilver00]

I think it would be next to impossible to do this without taking out the glove box. unless you like wiring and soldering upside down and in the dark :D There are only 5 screws that hold it in, they are the same hex head type as the dash panels have(9/32 i think).

[Gt00]

Originally posted by armith
My bad.. Its hard to see.. On the back side of the connector where the wires go into the connector they are labeled A and B.. Its really small and hard to see.. unless its in a well lit area.. definately may want to pull out the old reading glasses if your really content with reading it.

like it was said.. 4th one over bottom row.

It is the only dark blue wire on the connector. As a matter of fact I think its the only dark blue wire there period.. Thanks 4 the help , i appreciate it . I hate these DRL's , i already did the ALC mod and really wanted full control of my lights . :)

[BMOBYLE]

Armith is the member of the month baby:thumbs:

I just did this mod tonight!
It's what i've been interested in for a long time.
Just took someone with balls to start messin with the bcm.:p

Everything accorrding to his instructions with the help of ice, Monello and brutis makes this simple. This mod works great and according to schematics I looked up at work all three of you are right on the money. No danger at all to the bcm really as long as you all stay in that MIDDLE connector. Mostly all ground wires and like 2 power wires or something to that effect<i can't remeber exactly<.

It's threads like this that keep me into this site.
:cheers:

[eddie]

Anyone have pictures of the ALC bypass?

[MJSilver00]

If you look on page 3 of this thread, Brutis posted some pics of the wiring clips so you can see where everything is at. My car is in the shop but I should have it back in a day or two and I could take some pics of the actual wires that were cut. If you follow Armith's instructions exactly, youll be fine though (read the step by step while youre looking at the wires in the harness and youll see exactly what he's talking about.

[evilinside09]

what do you use to ground the wire? i was thinking of electrical tape but maybe i'm wrong. someone plz help. thanks.

[420]

So will this make it so i have to manually turn on my lights at night? or does that have nothing to do with drls?

[MJSilver00]

Originally posted by evilinside09
what do you use to ground the wire? i was thinking of electrical tape but maybe i'm wrong. someone plz help. thanks.

look a little further back in this thread....I asked where to ground the wire for the DRLs and Brutis posted a pic of it. There is a screw right behind the lightbulb under the dash (the passenger courtesy light). I just put a U connector on the wire, slipped it under the screw and tightened it back down. (there are pics of this posted as well).

another thing....in order to make it reach you will have to add an extension onto the DRL wire. I soldered this and then used electrical tape to cover it (i also wire tie everything down so it doesnt move around too much). you can do that or use a crimp connector, but dont use wire nutz...they can come loose, and allow the wires to come apart.

[MJSilver00]

Originally posted by 420
So will this make it so i have to manually turn on my lights at night? or does that have nothing to do with drls?

if you look at the instructions on the first page of the thread, there are two different operations there. one is to bypass the DRLs (cutting one wire and grounding it from the bcm side), and the other is for ACL override (this is what disables your auto headlights). i did both so i have complete control over my headlights, and no DRLs.

[SikMindz]

Awesome...looks like a worthwhile mod for me tomorrow! Replace alternator cable and disable DRLs! Thanks for the 411!

[Gt00]

Great mod , I have now assumed control of my lights ! Thanks to everyone for the info .

[shawn2ktats]

Originally posted by MJSilver00
if you look at the instructions on the first page of the thread, there are two different operations there. one is to bypass the DRLs (cutting one wire and grounding it from the bcm side), and the other is for ACL override (this is what disables your auto headlights). i did both so i have complete control over my headlights, and no DRLs.
i want control over my headlights at night because i want to be able to turn them off because of my strobes, but i also like the auto headlights like once i get out of the car they stay on for a while:confused:

[SikMindz]

Question...what kind and qhat guage wire did you all use to extend the DRL wire to the ground?

I was thinking any 12-14 gauge electrical wire would work?

[SikMindz]

And also...how to you get the bigger of the two plastic panel underneath off?

[MJSilver00]

Originally posted by shawn2ktats
i want control over my headlights at night because i want to be able to turn them off because of my strobes, but i also like the auto headlights like once i get out of the car they stay on for a while:confused:

if you know how to work with relays, you could wire up switches to be able to turn both features on and off whenever you want. then you can kind of have the best of both worlds depending on what you want to do that day. (iceman posted how to do this earlier in the thread).

[MJSilver00]

Originally posted by SikMindz
And also...how to you get the bigger of the two plastic panel underneath off?

12-14 guage will work fine, the wire is really just providing a ground which acts as a signal to the bcm telling it to turn off the DRLs, so there really isnt any load going through it. the bcm wire its self looks like about 14awg.

to get the panels off:

im assuming from your question that you already figured out how to remove the smaller panel (i would post pics of this but my car is in the shop getting fixed and repainted from hail damage), so if you look at the big panel on the left, there are 3 screws holding it in. the first one is recessed in a hole just forward of the lightbulb for the floor lighting (this is the one that has the screw behind it you will be grounding the wire to). its right toward the front on the right side if the large panel (i believe its either a 9/32 or a 9mm socket on a screwdriver handle you will need). The second one is at the front of the large panel, but on the left side. this one is not recessed so you cant miss it. the third one is on the left side reight behind where the plastic piping for the air ducts connects to the rest of the car. this piping is part of the panel its self. you will see a screw that is kind of angled down at the floor...once you remove this the panel should come loose. now (assuming the small panel is already out) just pull the panel down and to the right and the piping will come out. thats it the panel is out. i posted something earlier in this thread about how to get the glove box out. you are gonna want to do that too as the easiest way to do this is by working through the opening where the gliove box was...there is far more room to work on the wires in there.

m

[SikMindz]

THANK YOU!!! I had the glove and the small piece removed but I was missing one of the screws on the larger piece and couldn't get to the BCM. Guess I know what I'm doing tomorrow! Thanks again!

[MJSilver00]

no prob...let us know how it goes!

[5-lO]

Ok im suck at electrical so yeah...

Now I have an 03, but I want to be able to turn my lights off at night. As in when I roll it up to parking lights, I dont want them to come on. I wanna be able to go all stealth like :p. Is it do-able in an 03?

Jon

[MJSilver00]

well heres a total shot in the dark, but wouldnt be that hard to try....there have been posts about being able to just pull the relay for the drls in 03s...if that works on your car then thats one problem solved...

now heres the crazy idea....how about taking out the ambient light sensor, putting an ohm meter on the leads, and then just measuring what the resistance value is when you shine a light on it. if im not mistaken the way that thing works is there is one resistance value when its dark, and then it changes when light comes into the sensor (one of these values may be 0)...then whatever the value is in the light....replace the sensor with a resistor of that value (or a jumper if it is 0)...and in my crazy theory here that would bypass the ACL? I wonder if anyone here has tried this?

[5-lO]

<------ Confused

[MJSilver00]

well you said you wanted to be able to turn off your headlights at night right? then just like the mod done for 99-00 cars in this thread (my understanding is that same mod doesnt work for 01-03 cars) you have to fool the car into thinking its daytime. there is a light sensor that tells the car not to turn the lights on cause its daytime.....well if you can bypass this sensor you could keep your auto headlights from coming on at night. this wouldnt work on a 99-00 cause your drls would be on all the time...even at night when your headlights were off....and if you tried to pull the relay for the DRLs you got a svs light....since it has recently been posted that you can pull the drl relay on some 01-03 cars without getting a svs light, you would be able to solve the problem if bypassing the sensor works (or if someone had the pinouts for the bcm and knew which wires to bypass there, but if they did i would think it would be posted already. again i dont have an 03 so i cant try this to see if it works, but if anyone wants to give it a shot....or jump in and tell me if im way off base here?

[5-lO]

I get what you are saying now...

[armith]

The problem with the 01-03 is that the wiring is a little different..

See the DRL override (grounding the wire) makes the BCM think you that the head lights are on.. and then the Ambient light sensor is bypassed and it always seems like daytime.. problem is.. there is another wire that goes to the light switch on the steering column. If you have the switch to off and all the overrides going... the BCM will throw a code because it will know you don't have your lights on..

(the way its wired is the reason why you can bypass the ambient light sensor and just run with your running lights to disable the DRLs on the 01+ models)

If I can get my hands on a 01+ local to me.. I will check out how to do it. and post up.

[MJSilver00]

so then you would have to have the parking lights on all the time? that sucks! i was gonna say why not cut that wire that goes to the switch and just send it to a constant 12v so the bcm always thinks the lights are on, but ill bet its the same wire that actually powers the lights so that wouldnt work either.... unless you bypassed the bcm all together for the parking lights and then just gave it 12 on that wire where the parking lights used to come in....i dont know..im just rambling now...im sure youll have it posted wayyy before i figure it out. i was wanting to bypass mine for a long time, and thanks to this thread i finally have it done. now its worth it for me to go get some eurolites or piaas. thanks again:thumbs:

[SikMindz]

Well I lied. Finally got them done today as opposed to last week. A little bit ghetto 'cause I forgot to get crimp connectors so instead I used the U-ends and used the ends of those as connectors. Solid connection though...

However, word of warning to everyone else as dumb as me- getting the BCM back into the "slot" that it came from is a bitch! I got so mad trying to put it back in I just zip-tied it back onto the holder...LoL

Anyways, thanks everyone for the easy instructions and answers to my questions!

[Brutis]

i didnt take bcm out, just laid on my back under it and did it all, didnt even have to take out glove box.

[SikMindz]

LoL...damn. Big baller style. Too dark for me...

[blake]

lol...must of had a good flashlight...its too dark for me too lol

[smoove99gase]

worked like a champ!!!! no Drl's WOOOHOOOO!!!!!!!!

[zhd1000]

ok i want what iceman was talking about on the first page,the relay, being able to switch from stock to the mod. but i dont understand the relay, what is it, anyone done this or have some pics??

[armith]

Originally posted by zhd1000
ok i want what iceman was talking about on the first page,the relay, being able to switch from stock to the mod. but i dont understand the relay, what is it, anyone done this or have some pics??

you can use either a relay or an automotive switch.. Basically it will switch you from No DRLs/No ALCs to Factory stock (DRLs/ALCs on like normal)

No make sure you don't pull too much current across the switch the relay is a safety... But the BCM signals draw so little current that I think the relay itself would probably pull more just to make a closure.. (sorry if I am confusing you) I have made a rough sketch electrical drawing of how a switch could be used to go from mod to stock...

If you had the right kind of relay you could I guess even set it up to control DRLs/ALC/ and independant fogs.. But you really are talking about some detailed wiring and possible space issues and that could just become a headache..

Simple small DPDT switch couple $$ from Radio Shack and a soldering iron and your done. PM me or AIM message me if ya need any specific questions or need any help.

[AznGA]

So how can this be done on 01+ GA?

[Brutis]

no one really came right out and answered that question specificly, but from what i understand i dont think it will work for a 01, just 99 and 00.

[armith]

I haven't gotten my test car yet to try the 01+ override. There is a feed wire on the headlamp switch on the later models.. Once I have access to a test car I will post the 01+ instructions. Any local volunteers? :-)

[Dj Red E]

where exactly is that light sensor? i used to think that it was in the vent on the dash but i had the whole dash out before and never saw it anywhere.

[UNCTYPE-S]

its in the dash. at least on mine its in the center vent. its towards the left part of the vent.

[Vintalage]

So if I want to pull the relay for the DRL, I would access that from the hood?

[Vintalage]

Anyone know if it's possible to modify the DRL so that it only activates the high beam instead of both the high beam and low beam?

[deadhorsey]

Does anyone KNOW if this method will work with an 03? I got the DRLs gone just by pulling relay #22 (under the hood in the fuse panel). But the automatic lights still come on! I don't want to tear apart my car if I'm not sure that this will do it. Anyone tried it with an 03?

[GTluver]

Originally posted by armith
what year? the ALC bypass does just that.

And no SVS light.


dummy question, but what is ALC?

[Vintalage]

Automatic Light Control

[GTluver]

Originally posted by Vintalage
Automatic Light Control

TY bro :thumbs:

[Vintalage]

No problem. :)

[deadhorsey]

Yeah that's the system that's only for IDIOTS that are too stupid to turn their own headlights on.

[armith]

the much anticipated DRL instruction manual is finally underway after some unfortunate computer difficulties.. My laptop got a virus and I lost just about everything... Acrobat was trashed and so was the original manual.. But now I have reformatted and reinstalled everything again so I can begin to rewrite and get the pictures together again. There is no definate timeframe.. Just please be a little patient with me.

Things to expect in manual should be, some schematic ideas, color pictures, FAQ & Terminology, step by step instructions.

Its the first revision so expect it to not be professional grade... But I hope to have it pretty detailed and will add additional info as we move along (including the 01+ tricks)

[deadhorsey]

Wonderful! After your done, go out and buy a Mac. You won't have such problems.

[armith]

Umm... no... Don't like computers that are designed to be proprietary in hardware and the OS as well as idiot proof... Just creates better idiots.. besides I don't like how acrobat handles on a Mac anyways. Acrobat is already kinda a pig to work with.

Anyways, back on topic. :thumbs:

[GTluver]

just wanted to say that i did this mod this morning, its great! easy and not time-consuming at all....

on a side note, the instructions say that on the middle connector, there are 2 wires that are the same.......light green/black......but on my connector, there was only one light green/black wire.....the other green wire dont have black on it....

also, is there a way to modify this thing so i can turn on my foglights w/o having my headlights or the turn signals on? that would look awesome, even better w /. angel eyes........hmmmmmmmmmmm

[deadhorsey]

Anyone know if you HAVE to dissconnect the light sensor completly? I left it connected, tied the two wire together, and ended up with no ALCs. But I DID get a SVS light. If I completley dissconnect the light sensor, will this make a differance??? Anyone know?

[armith]

I believe if you just completely disconnect the light sensor it will be getting no signal which will make it think its always dark and you will always have your ALCs on.

[deadhorsey]

Yes I know that. What Im talking about is the fact that I left the ALS in place. (did NOT cut it) But I did go ahead and tie the two wires together. WITHOUT dissconnecting the ALS. Do I NEED to completley dissconnect it????

[armith]

if you tied the two wires at the BCM then the ALC sensor isn't connected to anything..

[deadhorsey]

That's exactly what I did on my 03. But I am getting a SVS light, and a bunch of annoying chimes after the motor is running for about 5 seconds. I'm gonna try putting a light resistor in between the two connectors and see if that fools the BCM. Anyone know how much resistance (ohms) would be going through the light sensor during bright light? If I only knew that, I wouldent have to try a whole bunch of different resistors.

[pre_16365]

Originally posted by deadhorsey
That's exactly what I did on my 03. But I am getting a SVS light, and a bunch of annoying chimes after the motor is running for about 5 seconds. I'm gonna try putting a light resistor in between the two connectors and see if that fools the BCM. Anyone know how much resistance (ohms) would be going through the light sensor during bright light? If I only knew that, I wouldent have to try a whole bunch of different resistors.

i belive this only works on the 99-00 models....i belive the 01+ dont have the exact same wiring setup or pc set ups.

[2002GT]

yeah... as was stated in the 1st post...

[rixGAGTphx]

Does this (or something similar) work for a '96 GT?

TIA
-Rick

[deadhorsey]

OK who are the chicks in that pic? where do I find them and what are their phone #'s?

[dxtreme_85]

Still waiting to make this happen on my 01'GAGT. Need to get headlight covers on, but don't want any lights on period. No DRLs, and at night, I will prolly pull the covers off, (don't do too much night drivin) but want to keep the ALC sensor in. Anybody know how to do it on a 2001? Hows it comin armith??

[armith]

Manual is slowly coming along.. As for 01-02 DRL override.. Once I get a test vehicle I'll let everyone know.

Things have been kinda hectic lately.. So I'm not making as much headway as I would like

[Bergs22]

any one know if this will work on a 99 Alero GLS? Basically the same cars correct? I just wanna make sure b4 i start anything. Thanks

[deadhorsey]

Check out www.lightsout.org . I think I saw a bunch of stuff there about DRLs for Aleros. I think all you have to do is clip a relay, and if you do mess something up, all you will have to do is buy a relay. So no big damage. But I do belive that the alero's and the GAs are basicly the same cars, with different bodys.

[Vintalage]

Originally posted by deadhorsey
Check out www.lightsout.org . I think I saw a bunch of stuff there about DRLs for Aleros. I think all you have to do is clip a relay, and if you do mess something up, all you will have to do is buy a relay. So no big damage. But I do belive that the alero's and the GAs are basicly the same cars, with different bodys.

I saw that and was gonna give that trick a try, but I haven't had the chance to do so. But once I find out the part # for the relay, then I will do the modification to the relay and see what happens.

[armith]

I believe there is a little bit more to it than just clip the relay pin. Otherwise hundred of people would have done it by now. I believe the relay is part of what needs to be done.. (thus why I have been trying to get a test car..

The relays can be gotten from the dealer and they are I around $20 or so.

Do let me know how it goes though..

Thanx

[Kodeblue]

Originally posted by deadhorsey
Check out www.lightsout.org . I think I saw a bunch of stuff there about DRLs for Aleros. I think all you have to do is clip a relay, and if you do mess something up, all you will have to do is buy a relay. So no big damage. But I do belive that the alero's and the GAs are basicly the same cars, with different bodys. Here is a quote from that site you posted....
2003 Pontiac Grand Am Just go under the hood and remove relay #22 and that will kill the DRL's on a 2003 Grand AM GT. I have heard that this method only works on the 03's

I clipped the pin on the relay that supposedly works for the Alero, and i get the SVS light. I have a '00 Grand Am.

[iceman]

Originally posted by silverbullet00

I clipped the pin on the relay that supposedly works for the Alero, and i get the SVS light. I have a '00 Grand Am.

And you are surprised by that?

[Kodeblue]

When I tried this trick, it was way back in the early summer and there was not too much mention about DRL disabling except for the DRL kit which is no longer available. There was no mention anywhere that it would or would not work on the Grand Am so I had nothing to lose to try it. I don't mind the SVS light coming on at all. I would like to try the trick that is mentioned about cutting the wires or whatever it is at the BCM. I have not read too much into that yet. But if it does work, I would like to just eliminate the DRL and keep the automatic lights option on at dusk.

[Bergs22]

still curious if anyone knows forsure if this same deal with cutting the wires from the bcm will also work on a 99 alero?

[armith]

I didn't think just "clipping" a pin on the relay was gonna do it. But it is true that just removing the Relay on <b>2003</b> models works just fine. But so far that is for the 03s only.. <i>(Though I would like to think that the 04s will be the same.. never assume though)</i>

As for the alero thing.. I don't have an alero and I don't have anyone to associate with locally who does own alero to try anything.

[CtrlAltDel]

http://slate.msn.com/id/2090493/

Heh I thought This was a funny article


I've yet to do the mod to my car ... just a little aprehensive(sp) on cutting wires .... i'm sure i'll do it though ... just gotta build up currage ... ahahahaha :newbie:

[armith]

That is prett funny!!! <i>"The carmaker has countered that low-intensity DRLs do not significantly decrease bulb life...."</i>

I have to remember that next time I get pulled over... Yes officer I know I was speeding.. But I wasn't going significantly faster than the speed limit.

As for fuel consumption.. That is virtually no difference.. But I say cut the lights gives the altenator xtra juice for more important things like Stereo, Neons, a PC..:thumbs:

Good find CtrlAltDel:thumbs:

[MJSilver00]

I have read a million articles supporting DRLs, and every one of them is bullsh!t in my opinion. I cant see a car any better with DRLs than without. I dont see any benefit whatsoever. I know in some countries where its almost dark and constantly foggy they have decided they are useful, and maybe so. but in the United States I dont see the need. With the relative amount of ambient light we have during the day, I dont ever notice DRLs unless I am looking directly at them from close range. If I understand correctly they are mandatory (or are going to be very soon) in Canada, so wouldnt it make sense that GM wants it that way here too. It costs less to just put them in every car than it does to make two different models, so it seems convenient that they are so strongly supporting this.

[armith]

Yes is it mandatory in Canada.. What I have found entertaining yet annoying is how much effort they go into engineering the DRLs into their cars lately.. What used to be a simple fuse or relay has become a major production and mass of electronic interconnecting into the entires chassis electrical system..

What ever happened to the good old days (less then 10 years ago) when turning a mechanical switch applied voltage to the lamps and the lamps came on and when turning the mechanical switch back it would remove the voltage and lamps would turn off.:rolleyes:

[freeze12]

I have an 01 alero & all i did to disable the DRLs was to unplug the Relay..pull off relay cover...put a piece of Matchbook paper between the relay contact's & reassemble Relay..plug back in & no more DRL's & no SVS light!!!

To disable My ALC all i did was pull the sensor out of it's holder..take a 5mm LED & a resistor..wire it in to light up the LED when Ign. is on & placed it in a small tube right in front of the sensor. now when I turn the Ign. on the LED light's up & fools the sensor into thinking it is daytime!

[armith]

That is a very unique way of bypassing those. I wish it were that simple to modify the DRL relay like you did without getting an SVS light.. Good job!:thumbs:

[preed4962]

Why not just turn them off with a Tech2?

[Vintalage]

Originally posted by preed4962
Why just turn them off with a Tech2?

know a place where we can get one?

[preed4962]

I didnt mean to sound like a smartass, but why not just go to the dealership and ask them to turn them off? As long as you tell your insurance company that they are off, I dont see why they wouldnt do it. May be a small fee, but nearly the money I have heard people talking about on here for kits. If you live near Rochester, NY, I may be able to help you.

[armith]

If you know a dealership that willing to do such a mod then you truly are special..

A. Most dealers will claim that its not possible or that its not just a simple BCM change. It probably would require an entire BCM reprogram (which would then make it way more costly and more work than these mods currently require.) Most dealers will play stupid and say it can't be done.

B. From what I have read, if a vehicle comes with DRLs standard then they legally have to be engaged. (in canada they are Federal law) GM has been pushing for DRLs to be manditory in the US for years.. so GM is really not gonna be willing to just turn them off for ya. <i>Kinda like the whole disabling the airbags controversy Ford had a few years back. (people were disabling passenger airbags because newer models came with the disable lock option.</i>

C. Unless you are an emergency or other designated vehicle (government, Police, Fire, etc.) GM is not SUPPOSED to alter ANY instrumentation or lighting controls in a vehicle. (Thus Impala Police edition have a "survaillence mode feature that blacks out all lights, DRLs, etc)

D. According to GM it can void warranty. GM certainly isn't gonna modify your car and intentionally void your warranty.. That would be a lawsuit waiting to happen. Which is why most people as of lately have been using the switch option to go between overrides and stock.. This Thread mainly covers 99-00 and I would be impressed if there was anyone that even has much of an extended warranty left on their cars.

If you got friends on the inside that can do these changes; kudos to you.. I'm not knocking that... This is just my explaination as to why this thread as well as other similar thread have even come to be.. I'll just about guarante over 95% of dealerships won't have anything to do with disabling DRLs, disabling ALCs, and independantly controlling fogs. Let alone for a fair price.

Hell I can't even get my dealer to give me GM part numbers for the parts I need for my upcoming repairs and maintenance.

Ok end of rant, flame suit is on.:D

[SC/TGrandAm]

My dad is general manager of a Pontiac well GM dealership and i can get just about anything done that i want. Ill have to see if they will disable mine with the tech 2.

[preed4962]

Wow, OK apparently I have touched a sore spot. Look, I dont know if it can even be done on these cars or not, all I know is that I had a Tech 2 home this past weekend and I was able to turn them off on my wifes 1997 Sunfire, and I would think that the electrical architecture is similar between these vehicles. I guess my point was, that if you could get it done with a Tech2 AND tell your insurance company about it, it is a lot more above board than trying to stick electrical tape or whatever between the relay contacts. New York State doesn't inspect for DRL's. Ohio doesn't even have a state safety inspection program. Seems to be a lot safer too, than trying to screw up the electrical system in the car with the above mentioned items. Sorry, it was just a suggestion.

[GTluver]

Originally posted by armith
Hell I can't even get my dealer to give me GM part numbers for the parts I need for my upcoming repairs and maintenance.



ur not the only one.....i went to the dealership the other day to ask for some parts #, and they say they cant give out part #'s, cuz i knew i would get em from partsdirect....cheaper......damn bastards...
:rage:

[CtrlAltDel]

Is this mod illegal in Michigan? :T and does the 99GA have a built in security system? reason i ask ... one time my car beeped horn flashed lights and locked door ... figured out if i only hit lock once and close door a few seconds it did that .... so is there something built in??

[Vintalage]

That is the 7 sec delay locking. When you hit the lock button once when the driver's or passenger's do is open, then the 7 sec delay locking is activated.

[armith]

As far as I know Disabling DRLs is not illegal in any state that I know of yet. Thats why GM has been lobbying hard to get a law passed to require them.

I respect your suggestion and I would even hope that you are right about reprogramming to bypass them.. I was just merely pointing out that the average joe does not have the connections or means to just run a Tech everytime they want to change something... But most of us do have means of getting Electrical tape, wire, and a screwdriver. I agree it is a good deal of work. and hassle and not exactly favorable to be cutting wires and what not.. But for people like me a $22,000 new GAGT or a uber-hundreds of dollars for a Tech2 isn't in my budget, $30 worth of tools and tape is.

I am interested to know if you are successful with the tech.. If it works please post and maybe we'll figure out how its done..

[freeze12]

Re: armith...That is a very unique way of bypassing those. I wish it were that simple to modify the DRL relay like you did without getting an SVS light.. Good job!
__________________________________________________ ___
No... This did not give Me a Chk. eng. light or any other light for that matter. 2 years now & no problems. remember.... I said I have a 2001 Alero. I have posted this fix on an Alero board with some good results as this might or might not work for a 99
PS; A dealer will not disable the DRL's as per GM. If caught doing so they face some major problem's, law or no law.

[CtrlAltDel]

heh I suppose that makes sense .. car is like ... "hey ass ... fergot to lock the damn doors again!" ... heh thanks for the tip lol


*offtopic*

Know this is off topic but what kind of stereo systems you guys got in your car?

Mine:

Eclipse 4x6's (fronts)
Eclipse 6x9's (rears)
2 12" Ultimate subs
Sony 760 Xplod Amp
Stinger 1 farad Capacitor
Sony Xplod CD player (cant think of model number)
Delphi XM Radio

[dxtreme_85]

Hey Armith...I just had a thought for all of us out here with 01's. DRL's come on during the day and are a pain in the ass. So, to get rid of them, some turn the parking lights on, that way just the ambers light up. Follow me so far? This in turn kills the DRL's(right?) so that the only light emmitted from the front of the vehicle is amber. So, by cutting the feed line from the parking light switch and installing a switch at this point you know can:
a) Flip switch to closed position/turn parking lights off=DRLs on/Parking lights off
b) Flip switch to closed position/turn parking lights on=DRLS off/Parking lights on
c) Flip switch to open position/turn parking lights off=DRLs on/Parking lights off
d) Flip switch to open position/turn parking lights on=DRLs off/Parking lights off


See where this is going?? It would involve a switch...but it gets rid of those d*mn DRLs and it only costs $2.00 for a switch. Think this will work??

[Vintalage]

Look again. During the day, the DRLs stay on no matter what. Unless of course you remove the relay. When you turn to parking lights, the parking lights come on. The drls stay on though. They do not go out. Now if it were dark, all the lights would be on. Then you have the ability to cut the headlights out. But not during the day.

[dxtreme_85]

But if you bypass the ALC sensor and do what I mentioned above to the parking light feed wire and the headlight feed wire, then DRLs would be gone...right?

[armith]

Originally posted by dxtreme_85
Hey Armith...I just had a thought for all of us out here with 01's. DRL's come on during the day and are a pain in the ass. So, to get rid of them, some turn the parking lights on, that way just the ambers light up. Follow me so far? This in turn kills the DRL's(right?) so that the only light emmitted from the front of the vehicle is amber. So, by cutting the feed line from the parking light switch and installing a switch at this point you know can:
a) Flip switch to closed position/turn parking lights off=DRLs on/Parking lights off
b) Flip switch to closed position/turn parking lights on=DRLS off/Parking lights on
c) Flip switch to open position/turn parking lights off=DRLs on/Parking lights off
d) Flip switch to open position/turn parking lights on=DRLs off/Parking lights off


See where this is going?? It would involve a switch...but it gets rid of those d*mn DRLs and it only costs $2.00 for a switch. Think this will work??

Here is how I understood 01-02 models. If the ALC sensor believes it is night time and you manually switch to just parking lamps there are no DRLS just parking lights... But if it is daytime no matter whether you have the parking lights on or not the DRLs will be on.

As for cutting the feed line to the switch.. That is questionable because it seems that the BCM wants a voltage from switch. This is why the overrides for the 99-00s don't work on 01-02s.

I hope you get what I mean. If I could get a 01+ car to test voltages I would be able to show you what wires and or relay work may be done. I have some ideas but I can't even begin to explain them.. I would just have to read voltages with a meter and trial and error.

[guysohigh]

Originally posted by Bergs22
still curious if anyone knows forsure if this same deal with cutting the wires from the bcm will also work on a 99 alero?

It worked fine on my 00 Alero, except for the DRL's, but i think that was just because of a bad ground, have to try that again,b ut as far as the ALC, it was pitch black outside, and my lights never came on.Woo Hoo

[MJSilver00]

I had the same problem at first. check a little farther back in this thread. someone posted pics of a good place to ground that wire. there is a screw right in by the courtesy light under the glove box.

[CtrlAltDel]

:rage:

Ok this is really ****in me off and i'm asking you guys cuz your the only ones that would know ... my change oil light comes on ... and i just changed my oil ... reset button does not turn it off ... help!:crying: I hate that beeping when car starts

[Phantom Phoenix]

the manual tells you how to turn it off

[CtrlAltDel]

Bought car used ... dont have manual

[GTluver]

theres a how-to in the HOW-TO Section.......look for it

[CtrlAltDel]

Finally did it ... and man was it worth it ... Brought it to my installer cuz I dont have a garage and I wanted it nice and neat, and all my stuff that I do to my cars I go there. Neways thanks for the information on how to do this guys ... could not have done it w/o you guys. also we didnt have to remove the glove box ... just put a trouble light down there and he removed middle connection so it was easier to read. Didnt have to remove bcm at all just the middle cord ... also i dont think he needed to splice the wire he had enough slack after cutting higher up on the wire. Just thought i'd pass that along and thanks again! :thumbs: oh and by the way i still cant figure out how to shut that damn oil light to go off :confused:

[MJSilver00]

Seriously man, like GTluver said if you do a search youll find a bunch of threads on how to do it...

http://www.grandamgt.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=19252&highlight=reset+oil+change+light

[CtrlAltDel]

heh thanks ... im uber lazy ... only looked for like 2 minutes ... thanks for link :boogie:

[armith]

*offtopic* Turn key to ON position with the car not running... press the accelerator to the floor 3 times.. wait a few seconds and it should go out. turn key to off position.. and you should be fine...

One of the threads gives a reset button instruction which sounds awfully familiar to the check tire pressure reset. I'm pretty sure this one is it.. though its been a while.

I wonder about that oil light... Mine hasn't come on since August and its been about 11,000 miles... oh well oil still gets changed every 2500+ miles.

[CtrlAltDel]

Yeah thanks ... i was able to find that in the threads ... good to know though .... damn thing was annoying


:confused: disabled my drl's and stuff and my passenger side light (high / low beam) burnt out ... wonder if it was just its time or if its related ... hmmmm :confused:

[armith]

Did it just burn out? since you had the DRL work done did you ever have one light be brighter than the other... I know that when people in the past had removed the Relays besides the SVS light most people would also have a normal head light and then have one light be very very dim... Just something to check whether the bulb is out or just real dim.. if its dim it may be a loose wire or something. It is strange that both high and low beam would both be out just because its time was up.. if you keep any of your old head light bulbs wouldn't hurt to try it to see if it goes too..

[CtrlAltDel]

may have typed it wrong ... the high beam works but not the low beam ... b4 drl work ... noticed that passenger kinda seemed higher (maybe brighter) when parked facing a wall ... so maybe it just died ...

[CtrlAltDel]

Hello everyone, been a while since i posted here but got my lights workin fine now ... and i thought i'd post a pic of my car w/ drls gone ... hope you like the picture

[armith]

Always been a sucker for a clean car in a snowscape. Looks great.

[CtrlAltDel]

Here's a different shot

[Brutis]

Nice pics, man I wish it was snowing here........Guess I'll have to wait for my spring break ski trip to Colorado in March to see snow.

[CtrlAltDel]

Finally got a site up w/ more pictures that are bigger and better quality ... enjoy

http://myweb.nmu.edu/~pwehmane/

[dxtreme_85]

Man, I wish my DRLS were gone. Looks sweet.

[SC/TGrandAm]

so on an 02 the ALC bypass wont work? What about the resistor trick? Does anybody know what resistor you would need?

[03xGAxSE]

read all pages once and first 6 twice still confused... does this noDRL work for 03 or no? i dont think its absoluty answered if not has any one had success with a diffrent method and no svs.. i would submit my car to armith but dont live in ohio... or any where close... i like my ALC even if it is for idiot that cant turn on the lights... im lazy

[SC/TGrandAm]

on 03 you can pull the DRL relay. Look up fuses in your owners manual and it will be in the underhood fuse/relay panel. Find the DRL relay and pull it. It should work. Your lucky.

I dont care about the drls im bypassing them anyways but I would like to bypass the ALC's if possible... Can anybody test the ALC sensor and see what ohms it puts out in full sunlight? Anything would be of great help! I would really appreciate it.

[Kdawg207]

I covered my sensor with electrical tape...worked like a charm

[SC/TGrandAm]

yeah but that makes your sensor think its dark all the time and your lights on all the time. I want just the opposite of that and want my sensor to think its light all the time which would make them off all the time.

[Kdawg207]

ic...i just put my lights to park, then they all go off except for the inside lights..no headlights at all

[Vintalage]

Your parking lights stay on though.

[Kdawg207]

yup...drl's to me are headlights...that what i just said

QUOTE]Originally posted by Kdawg207
ic...i just put my lights to park, then they all go off except for the inside lights..no headlights at all [/QUOTE]




i like how the car looks with just fogs and parking lights

[Vintalage]

Yeah, you said they all go off except for the inside lights. But when it's in night mode and you put your lights to the parking mode, the parking lights stay on but the headlights go out.

[Kdawg207]

not with the ACL taped over....it always thinks its dark
in park the headlights always go out..and the insides stay on....but if i leave my lights off i have full headlights like you'd want at night

[rocketfast123]

does anybody know any tricks for the grand am sister car a 97 malibu. In that car you have no control over the lights. The only time you have control is when the car is off or the parking brake is down. They should not even put that switch in there because i does not even work. The malibu has DRL and ALC. Do you think that the 99-00 trick will work on it.
Also how the 2001 override going.

[armith]

I wish I could be of more help with the Malibu/Alero/Cutlass cars.. I thought a long while back that I read that the wiring controls are the same.. Only real difference is that the High Beam lights are seperate those cars. On the other hand you are talking 97 but I remember my Childon manual showing the electrical systems diagrams and it showed to be the same for all 97 and up models.

Really the only way to know is for someone to either research the BCM wiring pinouts or give it a try. If anyone tries it please let us know what happens.

[deadhorsey]

If anyone needs help with the '03 DRL / ALC bypass, just send me an AIM message. I'm not gonna post it again.

[SC/TGrandAm]

on ALC would what deadhorsey used on his 03 work on the 02? I think their ALC sets ups are the same? but DRL is diffrent...?

Deadhorsey- did you get the ALC bypass to work without setting off the SVS? If you did will you pm me how you did it... i dont have AIM. Please and thanks! I would appreciate it greatly! :thumbs:

[03xGAxSE]

ok 03 - relay22 = no DRL i think i got it i just thought this theory was shot down because it threw a svs light when the sun comes up ill try it (its 4:57 now, damn night shifts throw off my sleep cycle)

[03xGAxSE]

hahah it worked i so happy and its easer than the original post thanx for the help guys

[armith]

Originally posted by SC/TGrandAm
on ALC would what deadhorsey used on his 03 work on the 02? I think their ALC sets ups are the same? but DRL is diffrent...?

Deadhorsey- did you get the ALC bypass to work without setting off the SVS? If you did will you pm me how you did it... i dont have AIM. Please and thanks! I would appreciate it greatly! :thumbs:

I do not believe the 03 trick works on an 01 or 02.. And I would like to see how he got the ALC bypassed on his 03 without just leaving the parking lights on as well. I don't remember that even being posted.

[deadhorsey]

For the ALC bypass on an 03:

The two wires that connect the light sensor to the BCM, just tie them together with a 10 Ohm resistor in-line. (I can get specific wire numbers once I fix my laptop.)
NO SVS light as long as you put the resistor in!

As far as the DRLs on an 03...

I just yanked relay #22 under the hood. No side effects, but that may have something to do with the above resistor trick...?

...Hope this helps guys.

[SC/TGrandAm]

is it these 2 wires?

A3 the yellow/black wire, and B2 light green/black wire.. Is it those 2 wires you put together and put a 10ohm resistor inline with?

Or taking out the alc sensor and putting a 10ohm resistor in its place?

[03xGAxSE]

oh effin sweet... at first i dident want to over ride the ALC but if i can hook it up th a switch, ill do it.. (sounds like i can with a relay) where is the light sensor?

deadhorsey i added you to buddies on aol but never see ya
and btw you are the man

[armith]

Alright when I originally did this for my 99GA I tried the Resistor trick and it didn't work for me... However the person I got the info from I believe had an 01 GA.. So my guess is that the ALC override with the 10 ohm resistor will work on the 01-03 GAs..

So that just leaves the DRLs for 01-02.

[deadhorsey]

For those of you that couldent get the Relay trick to work...

I can't remember how many pins are on that relay, but you could try to individually block them off, then re-insert the relay. This might fool the computer into thinking that it's still there, but won't turn on your DRLs. Just a guess though.

And as far as I know... The ALC trick with the resistor only works for the '03 GAs. On any older models, I think you can just tie the wires together. The car then should just think it's daytime all the time. With NO SVS.

[SC/TGrandAm]

i just went outside and took the light sensor out and ran a jumper wire, worked but i got a SVS. SO im on the way to radioshack right now for some 10ohm resistors, ill let u know how it went.

[deadhorsey]

Well, I left the sensor there to avoid a hole in the dash. But it should still work with the resistor in place. If it doesent, try having BOTH the sensor AND the resistor hooked in series at the same time.

The reason that I mention this, is because that's how I did it. ...There must be some resistance in the sensor. So having them both hooked into the line, probably makes a different resistance than JUST the resistor there by itself.

[SC/TGrandAm]

Yep sure enough 10 ohm resistor works to disable the ALC's. Thanks deadhorsey you rock !

I took some pics as well for those that dont know how to do it. :thumbs:


Remove the defrost vent cover in the middle of the dash. The ALC light sensor is a little black dome on the left side. The sensor will twist out. remove the sensor, it just clips on. Insert the 10 ohm resistor into the plug and electrical tape it up good and tuck it down in there. Then, replace vent cover. Thanks to deadhorsey for the info.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid97/pdd747250e11de51614c6a8fc6bf284f6/fa05184c.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid97/p67eb594dcee037cff6edf51539662a52/fa0517c5.jpg

[SC/TGrandAm]

Ok now heres my next dilema... For my new setup im doing (hids) im building my own wire harness and leaving the factory harness there. Im bypassing the factory wiring all together but using the factory switch still. But heres the problem... when you remove the factory bulbs and turn the car on SVS light when you put it into gear. I think its because of the damn DRL's too.

Since nobody has figured out how to disable DRL's on an 02 yet, is there anyway to fool the computer into thinking theres a bulb there when there isnt? Resistor again perhaps?

I thought about just wiring 2 leds in one for high beam and one for low beam but I cant even figure that out with the damn negative trigger headlights. Gm engineers are the devil.

[iceman]

Originally posted by SC/TGrandAm


Since nobody has figured out how to disable DRL's on an 02 yet, is there anyway to fool the computer into thinking theres a bulb there when there isnt?



Yes.

[SC/TGrandAm]

Originally posted by iceman
Yes.

kickass ! how do you do it? Pleaseeee

[iceman]

i dont remember and I lost all my drawings and stuff.. But you need to get friendly w/ your multimeter -- take readings at the harness with the bulb installed and in different states (on, off, drl) - then mimic this electrically

[SC/TGrandAm]

ok ill mess around with it and see if i cant figure out something. Thanks Seth :thumbs:

[CtrlAltDel]

maybe if you hit it w/ a stick?

[Vintalage]

I'm lost. What does this resistor into the light sensor do?

[2003GAGT]

Probably trying to bypass automatic headlamps...

[rocketfast123]

Thanks-you for the ALC override :thumbs: now only the Drls

[SC/TGrandAm]

the resistor in the ALC sensor bypasses ALC's so at night your lights dont come on automatically.

[SC/TGrandAm]

I messed around trying to fake the computer into thinking the bulbs are there but no luck. Im lost.

[2003GAGT]

SC/T, do 02's not have a fuse under the hood that you can just pull to disable the DRL's?

[rocketfast123]

Originally posted by 2003GAGT
SC/T, do 02's not have a fuse under the hood that you can just pull to disable the DRL's?

Yea it does have a relay but it would cause a SVS light, and one head light would be bright and one would be dim

[2003GAGT]

Originally posted by rocketfast123
Yea it does have a relay but it would cause a SVS light, and one head light would be bright and one would be dim
So what did GM change between the 02's and 03's that keeps an SVS light from setting off when you pull the fuse on the 03's?

[03xGAxSE]

so if i wanted to put the alc override on a switch i would have to use a relay and wire it so that the the light sensor is a complete circut then the relay isnt switched, and then have the resistor is a complete circut when it is switched then wire a 12v power to a switch then the 2 contacts that control the relay then ground it. correct? it sounds right to me.. if i just have a relay and a switch in a cricut will it be a short type situation or does the relay have a load so that if i grounded it out, it wont be a short cricut? if you follow what im sayin?

[armith]

Do be honest with ya.. I don't believe you would need to put in a relay.. a simple automotive switch or even a radioshack special should be just fine.. the BCM wiring your dealing with is all low current.. Get a SPDT (Single Poll Double Throw) aka "ON-ON" or 2 way switch. It will have 3 pins on the bottom.. Wire it up and you can switch between stock and override modes.. Thats what i have for my ALCs..

Want to get real fancy use a DPDT (Double Poll Double Throw) and you can do DRLs and ALCs both at the same time.. so you can go totally stock or totally bypassed. It is explained earlier in the thread. and I have a drawing on how it can be done.

[03xGAxSE]

i dident know about the on/on switch that will work better :thumbs:

[MIKESHIGHPRFM]

DRL disable on a 2001 (should work on a 2002 also):

1.) I should not have to say this but first disconnect the negitive terminal of the batt. (cheap insurance).

2.) Remove the middle connector as stated before in the previous posts. Now locate the brown wire (pin 8 on the bottom). This is the pin that tells the BCM that the lights shwitch in not in the auto setting. Cut this wire, leaving enough room to extend it to the relay.

3.)The relay: Get a standard 4 or 5 pin 12V relay. Here is how the pins need to be wired. Pin 30-->go to the brown wire that you cut (on the BCM side), Pin 87-->12V (constant), Pin 86--> ground, Pin 85-->12V (switched when key is on), Pin 87a-->no connect.
NOTE: the 12V constant to Pin 87 could also be switched I do not think that it matters.

4.)Once the relay is connected I used some double sided tape and stuck it next to the fuse box out of the way. Now you need to cut the dark blue wire and ground it just like the 99-00.

5.)reconnect your BCM and your battery and test the system. Every thing worked fine for me no SVS and no DRLs.

I have yet to test this driving during the day since it is dark here (should have started ealier) but I had a light to on the sensor to have the headlights go off and I go not SVS so I think that everything should be ok.

Overall this took 30 min and the relay was a couple of dollars.

[deadhorsey]

If ya wanna go the relay route that's fine, but I found it easier just to hide a switch up near the BCM.

Also, don't forget to jam a 10 ohm resistor in between the BCM and the relay/switch... If you have an '03.

[armith]

Hey if anyone else has tested this on an 01-02 model Grand Am please let me know.. Once I get a couple successes I can add it to the DRL instruction book I'm making.. Thank god the curse has finally been broken. Good work!!!
*foshizzle

[MIKESHIGHPRFM]

Day driving test today and everything worked as it should no DRLs and no SVS.

deadhorsey:
why do you need to put a 10 ohm resister in between the BCM and the relay?

[rocketfast123]

Originally posted by MIKESHIGHPRFM

2.) Remove the middle connector as stated before in the previous posts. Now locate the brown wire (pin 8 on the bottom). This is the pin that tells the BCM that the lights shwitch in not in the auto setting. Cut this wire, leaving enough room to extend it to the relay.

3.)The relay: Get a standard 4 or 5 pin 12V relay. Here is how the pins need to be wired. Pin 30-->go to the brown wire that you cut (on the BCM side), Pin 87-->12V (constant), Pin 86--> ground, Pin 85-->12V (switched when key is on), Pin 87a-->no connect.
NOTE: the 12V constant to Pin 87 could also be switched I do not think that it matters.

Plese explane what this relay is. I'm a little slow today

[MIKESHIGHPRFM]

a relay is an electronic switch, avaiable at any parts store

[MIKESHIGHPRFM]

here is a website that explains a relay:

http://www.the12volt.com/relays/relays.asp

[rocketfast123]

I'm guessing you can just pick up one from the local rat shack?You say use a 4 or a 5 pin relay but whitch one did you use?

[MIKESHIGHPRFM]

rocket:

I used a 5 pin but now thinking about the entire thing, i think that you could just splice into a switched 12V source instead of using a relay, i just feel better when using a relay(personal preference)

[rocketfast123]

I will be stoping by the local radio shack and get a relay. I just hate the fact that the wires are so shot on the bcm, but it is worth it to have fun control over my lights. Next thing i'm going to do if i don't screw up my car is the fog light light mod. Fog with high beams

[deadhorsey]

MIKESHIGHPRFM:

#1. I have heard multiple reports about the exact way your doing it. It works for everyone using a 99-02 GA.

#2. On the 03s, if you don't put in a 10 Ohm resistor you'll get an SVS! I know this because I was doing the ALC disable without it for the longest time without it. I did get the SVS this way, so after thinking about it, I threw in a 10 Ohm resistor and it works like a charm...

...I figured this out, because I used to work at radioshack. And I know that a photoresistor (that thing in the dash that tells if it's light outside) has a certain amount of resistance in it, regardless of the amount of light hitting it.

In other words, it seems that GM made some tweaks to the BCM so it would realize when there was NO resistance from the photoresistor. So the 10 ohm resistor told it that the photoresistor was still in place, but still daylight outside.

Make more sence now? Hope so.

[03xGAxSE]

i bought all the stuff i need to do the no alc but havent done it yet (im kinda lazy) would it be easer to do all the re wiring at the bcm or the light sensor thingy i took alook at the sensor couldent figure out how to get to the wires (spent like 10 min doing so, while wating in a parking lot) oh and i guess you should know that i am putting it on a spdt switch if that makes any diffrence

and does any one know the fog light mod i havent heard how to do it yet

[rocketfast123]

http://www.n-body.net/tech/techdisplay.php?id=6

[deadhorsey]

A SPST switch OR a SPDT switch would work fine. Bottom line, you need to control just one circut to be on or off.

And yeah, just do all the work at the BCM, not the sensor. I could not figure out how to get it out either.

I'd take picutures for ya, but I broke my digital camera.

[armith]

SPDT switch is what I recommended for switching on or off.. Most people wanted the switch to go between factory or bypass.. you need the Double Throw switch to switch basically between the factory circuit or the bypass circuit... SPST switch will only open the bypass circuit or close the bypass circuit..

Only opening the bypass circuit will likely cause a SVS light.. it would act the same way as just cutting the wires and leaving them.

[03xGAxSE]

im using a spdt switch because i only want to switch the alc over ride but thanx :)

[armith]

:thumbs:

[rocketfast123]

Originally posted by deadhorsey
A SPST switch OR a SPDT switch would work fine. Bottom line, you need to control just one circut to be on or off.

And yeah, just do all the work at the BCM, not the sensor. I could not figure out how to get it out either.

I'd take picutures for ya, but I broke my digital camera.

I slow again, please tell what that is?

[deadhorsey]

SPST = Single Pull Single Throw
SPDT= Single Pull Dual Throw
BCM= Body Control Module

I thought I would explain this, just FYI. After all, if ya did not know you'd be SOL.

FYI= For Your Information
SOL= **** Otta Luck

[rocketfast123]

Thank you spst and spdt had me confuse thank you

[armith]

good call dead horsey.. I'll make sure to add that to the manual I'm making.

[deadhorsey]

DRL= Stupid crap because GM thinks all of it's customers are dumb

ALC= (Same as above)

[dxtreme_85]

I could be wrong-somebody correct me if I am, but isn't it single POLE double throw, etc., Not pull?

Figured if Armith was adding it to the manual it should be correct so I am just checking things out.

my $0.02
Terry

[deadhorsey]

Hmmmmm... Good one.

I'm pretty sure it's PULL. I worked at Radio Shack for 3 years. (thank god that's over!) But I might be wrong.

I would suggest that whoever is making the manual provide some Radio Shack part numbers. It makes it alot easier to find stuff in the store that way. ...Belive me, I know.

Regardless, all you need to do is turn a circut on and off. Should work with any kind of switch that is not momentary.

(momentary: You have to HOLD the button down to activate the circut, kind of like the horn button on your car.)

...I knew someone would ask.:thumbs:

[MJSilver00]

Its pole...

http://www.twysted-pair.com/dicts.htm

[deadhorsey]

Well I stand corrected.

[armith]

I knew I was spelling it wrong.. pole not poll.. damn It will be corrected.

Thanx

[deadhorsey]

AH! I stand corrected again!

[dxtreme_85]

It's all good!!

I kind of thought that it was pole only because of the way it is described on www.the12volt.com which is where I learned all about relays and what not when I started installing. Either way, most of us know what you are talking about deadhorsey.

[Darkon]

well i have a 98GAse and i have the daytime running lights and it automaticaly turns on the normal lights when it gets dark or something, but what i want is for me to be able to run the fogs seperately and have everything else off, which is wacked cause unless the night lites kick in the fogs are off(of course unless i turn the night lites on with the switch) so the lights will always be on when the fogs are of, but i want all lights off sept for the fogs. grr nevermind.. i'll just read previous posts and check them out with a friend of mine. l8r

[armith]

Best bet is to get a multimeter and check voltages and see if the wiring looks the same.. If you have a chilton or anything they might have some of the basic wiring diagrams.

I would imagine the the ALC part could be overridden the same as the rest of us do.. The DRLs and manual fog control might be the same or it might be totally different.

Let me know what you find out.. I could always make a 96-98 DRL book too.

[dxtreme_85]

Could somebody post a full step by step for the 01' ALC and DRL bypass. I am going to hook them up so that I can flip some switches for:
1. DRLs-ALC
2. DRLs-no ALC
3. No DRLs-ALC
4. No DRLs-No ALC

If I could get the whole thing...all o the instructions then maybe I will give it a try this weekend if the danm weather would warm up a bit.
Later,
Terry

[elkymutt]

HELP!

I purchased a drl kit a couple of summers back and was happy with it. It worked as it should. Until just a couple of weeks ago I noticed my left (driver's side) headlight was very dim as compared to the passenger side. I tried an old bulb and the same thing occured so the silverstar wasn't the problem. I stumbled on this DRL override and though maybe there was a problem with the existing kit in my car. So I uninstalled the kit and went through with the much easier method of disabling the DRL's and ALC. BUT.... I still have the same problem. The driver's side is much dimmer than the passenger's side and I've tried other bulbs but they are all dim.

As well because I uninstalled the kit, I cannot turn the fog lights on without having the light selector on either the parking lights of headlight on position. If anyone knows how to get control of the fogs without having to turn the other lights on, could you let me know? It would be greatly appreciated.

Oh yeah, I now have a DRL kit for sale!!!!

thanks in advance!

[deadhorsey]

Bet you'll think twice before you buy another DRL equipped GM car!

[elkymutt]

Very true... but I still have this problem if anyone can help...
I like being able to see at night!

If it comes down to it, I might have to take it to a GM dealer and get them to run the scanner on the SVS light that keeps showing up when I turn the headlights on...

[compcg]

The problem that I have with my car after I installed my DRL on it was that if I don't drive it for a few days the battery dies. I checked all the wires and everything is the way its supposed to be. I'm thinking that either I have to disconnect the battery or flip the switch on the DRL kit to have it back to stock if I don't want my battery to take a dump on me....

[armith]

My best advice with those who have the DRL kits is to get in contact with the DRL gurus.. They used to offer tech support with their kits.

As for the issue of removing the kit and trying it this way.. Do you receive a SVS light as well as one dim headlight bulb..

I'm going out on a limb but have you tried to pull the DRL relay to see what happens? When you remove the DRL relay.. one light goes dim and the SVS light comes on. If you put the relay back in and you still have the same problem.. There could be a relay issue. I would test to make sure the relay is ok.. The relay may close but if the contacts inside are shot it won't work.. Have you tried just wiring it back to stock? do the lights all work as they should?

The DRL kit as I understand it has independant fogs integrated into the kit.. the manual way of doing it requires a automotive relay. Check this thread I think there are directions on how to bypass the fogs.. if not I'll post them up.

feel free to PM me or AIM/Y! me and I will try to help out individually.

[armith]

Originally posted by compcg
The problem that I have with my car after I installed my DRL on it was that if I don't drive it for a few days the battery dies. I checked all the wires and everything is the way its supposed to be. I'm thinking that either I have to disconnect the battery or flip the switch on the DRL kit to have it back to stock if I don't want my battery to take a dump on me....

That there sounds like you have something wired onto the always on 12v line and not on a switched 12v. It keeps the relays pulled whether the car is on or not.. Though even with that the relays shouldn't pull enough current to kill the battery in a couple days..

Double check the instructions and see if you have the relays on a switched power or a always on power. Iceman your 2 cents on this would be quite handy I think..

:D

[Kdawg207]

this is the dumbest question i have ever asked...

bt how the hell do you get a relay out...i am yankin on it with no result

i feel like a newbie

[SC/TGrandAm]

Originally posted by Kdawg207
this is the dumbest question i have ever asked...

bt how the hell do you get a relay out...i am yankin on it with no result

i feel like a newbie

you can get some bigger plyers and pull it out but you will have to wiggle it out, it wont just simply pull out very easy.

[armith]

yeah those relays are a mother to get out.. just don't squeeze too hard with the plyers.. get a firm grip and wiggle. I believe I used a small screwdriver to help with a little leverage too.. Just make sure you have your battery disconnected.. don't want to risk popping fuses ya know..
:thumbs: