2000-2002 Chevy trucks and daytime running lights

[RayCo]

One of these days I'm going to put in a switch for it, even if I just have to wire it up such that it trips the brake light as well. It's a PITA flashing trucks over by using the parking brake, not to mention a tad dangerous applying it on an interstate hoping that I don't have some leg twitch that makes me jam the pedal down and actually engage the brake.

 

[tommu56]

Ray think my 03 avalanche (now long gone) if you push or pull not the way to put on the high beams it will flash the high beams only as long as you pull lever try it.

tom

 

[rdln]

Had 2003 for about 50k miles, I remember having one or two burn out.

 

[mattman]

Those bulbs get HOTT look at the socket the bulbs are in, I have seen them melted. I just replace them and go on about my business. I don't know why anyone would care, that they are on while the vehicle is in gear. I am not going to the point of applying the park brake to get them to turn off. If you want them off simply pull the fuse. They say it is a safety feature to let other drivers see you coming. Makes sence to me. There are some other auto makers that have DRL as well as several big trucks have running lights when the park brakes are released.

 

[TCBoomer]

U have a few choices when dealing with repeat DRL bulb failures on GM trucks...

1) replace the current bulbs with a 14v bulb GM part #15199562 trade#4114K

2)remove the DRL relay

3)disconnect the DRL module

 

[George2615]

On the 02 Chevy I had you could turn off the daytime running lights by pushing the button under the headlight switch very quickly 4 times. This is also the same button that functions as a dash lamp dimmer switch and turns on the light on the back of the cab. I don't know if yours is setup the same way but I read how to do this in the owners manual that came with the truck. Check yours for this function.

 

[dgl24087]

On the 02 Chevy I had you could turn off the daytime running lights by pushing the button under the headlight switch very quickly 4 times. This is also the same button that functions as a dash lamp dimmer switch and turns on the light on the back of the cab. I don't know if yours is setup the same way but I read how to do this in the owners manual that came with the truck. Check yours for this function.

I had a 2000 Chevy that was the same way.

 

[Dargo]

I had a 2000 Chevy that was the same way.

I wish I knew that back when I had my 2000 Chevy.

Great info though. Thank you and George2615.

 

[TCBoomer]

If the OP's 99 is the old style, that method wont work.

 

[LRH]

These models are just a poor design, basically using the brighter (brake/turn) filament of what is a common tail/parking bulb versus the headlamps. Most dual filament bulbs list 1000hrs or more for the dim filament, and 150-300 hrs for the bright one. The industry number for the bulb has changed at least 3 times over the years to try to come up with a bulb that will last. DRL's are not required in the US, they are allowed, and the owner choosing to use them or not, if switchable, or disconnecting them is perfectly legal. Most states laws require any factory exterior bulb to be functional, so driving with one out can net someone a ticket, but disabling them is ok. There is one cash strapped town close to me that writes between 4-10 tickets daily, every day just for a single DRL showing; mostly GM trucks. My wife's TrailBlazer uses the 9006 low beam as a DRL, and it does not burn out often, but recently I had to replace the bulb pigtails due to being burnt and the terminals distorted to the point of no longer making contact with the pins in the bulb. The TrailBlazer has the cutoff switch, but it defaults to on every time ign is switched off.