Daytime Running Lights Question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 117
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From: Michigan
Daytime Running Lights Question
Went for a little ride this evening and noticed my daytime running lights were on and they never were before. I just read the owners manual and learned how to shut them off but I am wondering why they started working. I did not change the setting under the Options settings. I haven't looked at the car yet to see what the settings are now.
From everything I have read about electronics there must be a ground problem someplace that caused this.
From everything I have read about electronics there must be a ground problem someplace that caused this.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,786
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From: Iowa
not sure what you are asking. there's no "official" way to turn the DRLs off on a C5. the twilight sentinel is an option on US cars anyway, that is what turns the headlights on in low light conditions.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
The DRLs come on when power is on the car and the parking brake is off. The different settings are controlled by the ambient light sensor. Daytime running lights are the illuminated amber turn signal lamps and come on at the front of the car only.
There are only two ways to inhibit them. Pull the A2 fuse which inhibits the lights but also inhibits the approach lights function. The 2nd way is to remove relays 38 and 40 in the footwell fuse panel and install a jumper cable. This inhibits DRLs but retains the approach lights.
Either way you'll get a B0502 and B0507 fault code.
The turn signal bulb is a dual filament bulb which provides turn signals, parking lights and DRLs. You have 3 wires to the lamp holder: a hot for the T/S, a hot for the parking lights and a common ground.
I'm struggling to understand how you would not have DRLs but still have turn signals if it was a ground issue. Unless its a faulty A2 fuse I can't explain your problem I'm afraid.
Do you have working approach lights?
You also mentioned that you read the owners manual and worked out how to shut them off. As thats impossible through the DIC, do you mean, as mcgilles suggested, the twilight sentinel maybe?
There are only two ways to inhibit them. Pull the A2 fuse which inhibits the lights but also inhibits the approach lights function. The 2nd way is to remove relays 38 and 40 in the footwell fuse panel and install a jumper cable. This inhibits DRLs but retains the approach lights.
Either way you'll get a B0502 and B0507 fault code.
The turn signal bulb is a dual filament bulb which provides turn signals, parking lights and DRLs. You have 3 wires to the lamp holder: a hot for the T/S, a hot for the parking lights and a common ground.
I'm struggling to understand how you would not have DRLs but still have turn signals if it was a ground issue. Unless its a faulty A2 fuse I can't explain your problem I'm afraid.
Do you have working approach lights?
You also mentioned that you read the owners manual and worked out how to shut them off. As thats impossible through the DIC, do you mean, as mcgilles suggested, the twilight sentinel maybe?
Last edited by DeeGee; May 21, 2011 at 01:23 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 117
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From: Michigan
My mistake, I was reading how to shut off the Twilight sentinel option. That is embarrassing!
Honestly I have no idea what is going on with the lights. I have never had DRL's until yesterday. My garage is kind of dark and yesterday when I pulled in I saw the amber lights were on and had never seen them before. I have only had the car (2001) about 10 months and for six of those the car was put away while the salt trucks were out playing.
Thanks for your responses.
Honestly I have no idea what is going on with the lights. I have never had DRL's until yesterday. My garage is kind of dark and yesterday when I pulled in I saw the amber lights were on and had never seen them before. I have only had the car (2001) about 10 months and for six of those the car was put away while the salt trucks were out playing.
Thanks for your responses.
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It takes a while to learn about these cars. Your DRLs should be on each time you start the car unless like DeeGee said you have the parking brake on. If you don't you have a problem with the system.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Long Island NY
Maybe you never noticed your DRL's until the other day. By design they are always on and there is no way to shut them unless you pull the fuses. I would keep an eye on them from now on and make sure they are always on and make sure the parking brake is all the way down, if they happen to go out then you may have a connection or wiring problem. Most likely you just never noticed them before and you discovered something new about your Vette. Anyhow, good luck with it!
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Lake Mary Florida
Or it may have been a component of twilight where when you press the unlock button it turns on approach lights. And confused that with DRLs.
You can test them by releasing the hand brake in a manual and shifting out of park I believe in auto's with the key in the On position.
You can test them by releasing the hand brake in a manual and shifting out of park I believe in auto's with the key in the On position.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: New Orleans Louisiana
I read somewhere on this forum under c5 tips that if you pull the emerg brake up one click it will turn you drls off. I tried it on my 03 and didn't work but maybe it does on yours . Is it possible that you brake was pulled up a click or two and you didn't realize it .
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Iowa
the ebrake trick has to be done before starting the car, pull the brake up 1 click then start the car and the DRLs should stay off. or so I read. I just disabled mine by modifying the relays.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Orangevale California
St. Jude Donor '10
They're called "Daytime Running Lights" for a reason.
They are on during the day. You really wouldn't know they're on unless you drive by glass building often.
They are on during the day. You really wouldn't know they're on unless you drive by glass building often.
Safety Car
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From: Southeast, Tennessee
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but perhaps you have also had the parking brake "on" by having it up just one click. that is usually enough to keep them from working.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: NE PA
running lights
Besides my Corvette, I also have an SSR. The running lights can be shut off on the SSR by pulling up on the emergency brake at any time. They were designed that way so that if your waiting in a parking area with the engine running and don't want the lights on. Pulling up on the brake a second time will turn the lights back on. I will definitely have to try the emergency brake on before starting idea.
