Headlight Override
Headlight Override Anyone hooked up a headlight override switch to kill the headlights? so that you can make them functional by the switch? was looking to do this tomorrow so if you could link me somwhere or send me some pictures or a writeup.... that would be a good thing....
lcan i jsut hook up a switch to the line running into the sensor in the dash? and switch it to off when i want to have control of the headlights??
if anyone can help me out here... i would be happy to take pics and make a writup on this..... need the info ASAP tho....
Thanks
Dan @ www.ChicagoStreetRacing.net
lcan i jsut hook up a switch to the line running into the sensor in the dash? and switch it to off when i want to have control of the headlights??
if anyone can help me out here... i would be happy to take pics and make a writup on this..... need the info ASAP tho....
Thanks
Dan @ www.ChicagoStreetRacing.net
this link has various ways of eleminating the beyond stupid Auto headlights and DRL.
http://www.xse.com/leres/ss/drl.html
http://www.xse.com/leres/ss/drl.html
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
If you want to retain the automatic headlight capability but be able to turn it off occasionally then you can put a switch in the sensor leads. However, if you wire the switch to cut the sensor circuit it will have the opposite effect to what you want - your headlights will be on all the time. You need to wire the switch so that it shorts the two sensor leads together to disable the automatic headlights (zero resistance equals daylight and the lights stay off).
Get a single pole single throw switch (any ordinary two prong on/off switch). Cut both wires to the sensor (they are both light green with black stripes). Connect both ends of one cut wire to the one terminal of the switch and both ends of the other cut wire to the other terminal. Now, when the switch is off, the automatic headlights work normally. When the switch is on, the two sides are connected together, the system reads zero resistance, and the headlights stay off. This only affects the automatic operation - you can always turn on the lights with the headlight switch.
You will probably want to extend the wires so that you can put your switch someplace convenient. Just remember that you need to extend both ends of both wires and connect them as above.
Get a single pole single throw switch (any ordinary two prong on/off switch). Cut both wires to the sensor (they are both light green with black stripes). Connect both ends of one cut wire to the one terminal of the switch and both ends of the other cut wire to the other terminal. Now, when the switch is off, the automatic headlights work normally. When the switch is on, the two sides are connected together, the system reads zero resistance, and the headlights stay off. This only affects the automatic operation - you can always turn on the lights with the headlight switch.
You will probably want to extend the wires so that you can put your switch someplace convenient. Just remember that you need to extend both ends of both wires and connect them as above.
Last edited by WhiteBird00; Feb 25, 2005 at 08:13 AM.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Originally Posted by sixvi6-camaro
this link has various ways of eleminating the beyond stupid Auto headlights and DRL.
http://www.xse.com/leres/ss/drl.html
http://www.xse.com/leres/ss/drl.html
First, as a motorcyclist, I have learned to appreciate the additional visiblity of front lights during daylight hours. There have been many times when the lights on my bike have kept some fool from pulling out right in front of me without leaving room. There have also been plenty of times where I have been able to see a car approaching much sooner because it had DRLs. Besides, what possible difference could it make to you driving a car with DRLs? - they're not there for your benefit but for the benefit of approaching drivers.
I've also found that there are countless fools on the road who don't put on their headlights until it's so dark they can't see the hood of their car (even then sometimes they don't). Automatic headlights protect the rest of us from those idiots. In fact, my wife's SUV turns on the headlights automatically whenever it's raining (connected to the wiper switch). I wish all cars had that feature. Here in Florida it rains really hard and it's often difficult to see other cars because so many drivers don't put on their lights.
Don't knock safety features just because they don't fit your idea of looking cool.
so basically what you are saying... is that there is one wire running into the sensor and one running out? so, all i have to do.... is to spllice into the wire on the one side..... and into the wire on the opposite side... to keep the current flowing while the switch is switched on so that i have to turn
the headlights on manually? and stop the current when teh switch is switched off.... so the headlights work automatically?
so basically the sensor is setup like the attachment.........
Dan
the headlights on manually? and stop the current when teh switch is switched off.... so the headlights work automatically?
so basically the sensor is setup like the attachment.........
Dan
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Yes, there are two wires (one in and one out) for the sensor but no, you don't want to interrupt the circuit with the switch. The sensor is a variable resistor that increases resistance as it gets darker until it reaches a point where the headlights are turned on. If you install the switch as I described, the OFF position will be normal automatic headlight operation and the ON position will short the two sensor wires together so that automatic operation is disabled.
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Verdad Gallardo alright, i have the car all apart.... and i'm going to get tap splices..... but, i was to make sure that i'm doin the right sensor... its on the passenger side and it looks like they just cut an oval hole in the dashboard in the defroster vent.... right?
Thanks, Dan
Thanks, Dan
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Yes, the sensor is clipped to the underside of the dash panel on the right side of the defroster vent - next to the alarm system LED. It kind of works like a light bulb socket in that it pushes in and turns a quarter turn to lock in place.
fit your idea of looking cool.
DRL's.. nobody will every try and say they could not see a car because it didn't have DRL's and if someone tries to use the Lack of DRL's as a reason they could not see a car or any other large moving object in the broad daylight they should not be on the road. Also with no DRL's I won't have problems buring out the front signal bulbs and is much less a cop magnet without them. For me the Automatic headlights and DRL's have caused me more problems than they are worth. Nothing to do with being Cool.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
I already said that I agree automatic headlights can be annoying sometimes. That's why most newer cars come with an override on the headlight switch. Installing your own override switch as described above or just shorting the sensor circuit to disable them is fine as long as you're not one of those idiots who then fails to turn on their lights when they're needed (and before you get your shorts in a knot - I'm not saying that you are). I just appreciate the added safety it gives me when that type of fool has headlights that go on automatically.
BTW, if you start the car to warm up with the parking brake engaged then the lights don't come on. And if your neighbor can't remember to close the drapes or blinds in their bedroom then they have bigger problems than headlights.
I also never said that I couldn't see a car in daylight without DRLs. What I did say is that you will see a car with DRLs sooner and at a farther distance than one without. This is why they are required by law in Canada and most of Europe. This is especially true with the shadows of tree covered two-lane roads or at dusk or dawn. And, avoiding burned out bulbs is a BS excuse. If you maintain your car and make sure that the housings aren't cracked or letting in moisture then you won't have a problem with the bulbs. I'm still on the original bulbs in a five year old daily driver. Incandescent bulbs burn out faster being turn on and off (turn signals) than when they are left on all the time. Besides, a couple of bucks for bulbs every few years is a pretty low price to pay for safety.
BTW, if you start the car to warm up with the parking brake engaged then the lights don't come on. And if your neighbor can't remember to close the drapes or blinds in their bedroom then they have bigger problems than headlights.
I also never said that I couldn't see a car in daylight without DRLs. What I did say is that you will see a car with DRLs sooner and at a farther distance than one without. This is why they are required by law in Canada and most of Europe. This is especially true with the shadows of tree covered two-lane roads or at dusk or dawn. And, avoiding burned out bulbs is a BS excuse. If you maintain your car and make sure that the housings aren't cracked or letting in moisture then you won't have a problem with the bulbs. I'm still on the original bulbs in a five year old daily driver. Incandescent bulbs burn out faster being turn on and off (turn signals) than when they are left on all the time. Besides, a couple of bucks for bulbs every few years is a pretty low price to pay for safety.
