Any way to turn off your daytime running lights

[Kel's 72 GMC]

I have a 1998 GMC and the headlight lenses are fogged over and I blame the running light because there so hot and they are on all the time. I know that if you press on the e-brake they turn off. Is there any other way?

[72BlckButy]

I recall that on my '98 Jimmy, I used a diode in the sensor and it took care of them automatically coming on. I'd guess that there would be a way you can do that on your truck as well.

There was also a fix where you went in the fuse block under the hood and ran a single wire from one terminal to another, and it would deactivate the DRL's.

[bad6772]

Try pushing your emergency break down 1 click......This use to work on the earlier models as 98/99.........And it wont effect anything......

[ChevLoRay]

If you look at the fuse panel, there is a specific fuse that (when pulled) will disable the DRL feature. I did it for my truck, when my youngest son (who owned it at the time) was leaving for Travis AFB. Guards on the gates request that headlights be off when driving thru, and (as you know) DRL's don't turn off.

I think fuse number 20 is the right one, if my memory serves me right. Look at the fuse panel door and also in your owner's manual.

Nothing else is affected by the removal of that fuse.

As for the discoloration of the headlight lenses, you gotta couple options.

1. Buy a kit that has everything you need, plus the instructions, to clean and polish the lenses.

2. Buy a set of replacement lenses from a dealer, the aftermarket, or a salvage yard. Check out www.latemodelresto.com and see what they have to offer. Also, www.lmctrucks.com and www.classicparts.com are two more sources.

[cayoterun]

It WORKS! on a '97 Dually.
Thanks for the question and emergency brake answer.

That's been a pain at times on our truck. After reading this, went and tried it. Bingo.
Never too old to learn.
Cayoterun

[piecesparts]

Hammer!!!

[bwood]

They DRL are not the reason your lenses are fogged and yellow. Yeah they might have contibuted, but the previous GMs (pre-DRL) with the composite headlights have the same issue. My wifes 99 Malibu has done the same thing and it doesn't have DRL, it lights the front marker lights in the daytime. Same goes for so many other manufacturers. The headlights generally are exposed to somewhat harsh conditions most of the time. They are plastic and with any type of plastic UV, changing temps, heat, road debris and time will cause fading, cracking, color changes and "fogging". I had the same issue with my 98 and went with some Anzo Racing replacements from Jegs Racing. They come with a 1yr warr with is better than others I researched. I don't mind the DRL on my truck and on some of the newer GMs you can push the courtsey light override switch three times and it will tell the vehicle not to illuminate the DRL (my example is my previous 99 S10 and my buddies 00 S10). Wal Mart (and I'm sure other retailers sell it) sell a kit designed to buff/remove the damages outer layers of the lens and take away the yellowing and some of the fogging. I used it on my wife's Malibu and it does work. Just read the instructions before starting. It is in a chrome package for $20, it is with the car wash stuff.

[Gunner41]

Thanks for the heads up guys but I found out it's fuse #15. It's a 20 and it's inside the cab on the side of the dash not under the hood.

[likaroc13]

Question about my new-to-me '97 Tahoe:

If the DRL indicator light on the instrument panel is on but the lights aren't working, what is the likely culprit? I didn't realize I had running lights until working to install an LED light bar for the rear, when I noticed the running light function wasn't working. Then I realized the factory DRL's weren't on. I was browsing for other videos on Youtube when I just coincidentally came across a video about the running lights not working. The guy just replaced the module under the dash, just to the right of the steering column.

I haven't investigated yet but thought I'd go ahead and ask. I would like to have the running lights, simply because I have tinted tails.

[piecesparts]

Originally Posted by likaroc13

Question about my new-to-me '97 Tahoe:

If the DRL indicator light on the instrument panel is on but the lights aren't working, what is the likely culprit? I didn't realize I had running lights until working to install an LED light bar for the rear, when I noticed the running light function wasn't working. Then I realized the factory DRL's weren't on. I was browsing for other videos on Youtube when I just coincidentally came across a video about the running lights not working. The guy just replaced the module under the dash, just to the right of the steering column.

I haven't investigated yet but thought I'd go ahead and ask. I would like to have the running lights, simply because I have tinted tails.

It very well could be the DRL fuse. The dashlight is triggered by the circuit that feeds the DRL control, but the actual power to the lights is fused seperately in many GM vehicles. My 09 Pontiac G8 has the dash light on, but the DRL fuse is pulled.

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by piecesparts

It very well could be the DRL fuse. The dashlight is triggered by the circuit that feeds the DRL control, but the actual power to the lights is fused seperately in many GM vehicles. My 09 Pontiac G8 has the dash light on, but the DRL fuse is pulled.

Like I mentioned I had not checked anything. Well today, I came to find out you're right! There was no 20amp fuse in place. Easy enough. And after reading the owner's manual, my previous statement doesn't make sense. I didn't realize the tails are not supposed to be on with the DRL function, only headlights.