Are you having issues with your new Silverado truck DRLs? Do you want to activate the Silverado daylight running lights? We are here with our blog on how to turn on daylight running lights Silverado?
The Silverado is one of the new generation trucks produced and marketed by General Motors (GM). The Silverado is received high patronage in the United States, selling about 12 million units so far. The Silverado comes with the Daylight Running Light (DRL) feature found in many modern vehicles.
Let’s discuss the DRL’s issues and how to turn on daylight running lights in Silverado trucks.
Meanwhile, Check out the best replacement shocks for Chevy Silverado.
What do the Daylight Running Lights (DRLs) mean?
Daylight Running lamps (DRLs) are safety lights found on the Silverado’s vehicle front, in the headlight assembly. They turn on when the right conditions are met.
What’s the usefulness of Daylight Running Light to road users?
Daylight running light keeps you and other road users safe by making your truck more visible in the daytime. DRLs are different from regular vehicle headlights and turns on automatically when your engine starts. Besides, the daytime running light is controlled by the DRL module, making it hard to turn on or off manually.
What is the daytime running lamp module?
The daylight running light module is a programmable chip that controls the DRLs. Your daylight running light cannot work if the chip has issues. A malfunctioning DRL module will show warning signs because it controls the proper functioning of the DRLs. Of course, the chipsets are the first point of call whenever you suspect a problem with your DRLs.
How does daytime running lights work?
Before we discuss how to turn on daylight running lights, Silverado, let’s see how it works. A few seconds after your engine starts, the module checks the light sensor’s voltage with the headlamp off. However, it would be best if you met specific conditions for your DRL to work. First, the ignition must be on, the parking brake deactivated, and the transmission not in park mode. Once these conditions are fulfilled, the module understands it’s day time, sending signals to the DRL relay coil.
Now, the relay’s contacts close to power the fuses. Routing the power through the headlights makes each lamp to burn at a lower brightness level. Many truck makers, including GM, use the headlamps as a DRL source to prevent filaments burnout in low beams.
Meanwhile, DRL is dim or turns off automatically once your vehicle headlight is on. In most cases, DRLs that are close to the indicators dims one the indicators flashes. Meanwhile, check out our product review on the best programmer for 5.3 Silverado.
Steps to activate your daylight running lights on a Silverado
Silverado DRLs turn on during the daytime to provide visibility to pedestrians and drivers. Of course, this helps road users in low light conditions like sunset and sunrise, eliminating blinding headlamps. Here are the things you must do without switching on your daytime running lights.
Step One
Press the lock and unlock button and keep it on for about a minute.
Step Two
Turn on your ignition, set the vehicle to drive, then power the engine. But, the daylight running light remains off in a manual transmission vehicle while you engage the parking brake.
Step Three
Switch off the headlights or turn to automatic light mode.
Meanwhile, the daytime running light should turn on once you fulfill these conditions.
Common Symptoms of potential problems with the daylight running light modules
The daylight running lamp module should turn on your DRLs automatically. Of course, DRLs are brighter than regular headlamps, increasing your visibility on the roads in low light settings. Again, daytime running lights are pretty useful under rain, snow, or fog.
Like every other electrical device, your DRL module could develop some problems over time. But, your DRL module’s operating condition may not affect your vehicle’s headlamp operation. Meaning, your headlight can work even if the DRL module is faulty. It also means your vehicle’s high beam lights working doesn’t imply the DRL module is in good condition.
Sometimes, your module’s wiring could rust or melt, causing a short circuit. Once your truck’s DRLs fail to turn on as necessary, it means it’s time you replaced your module.
Meanwhile, your daytime running light module is faulty if:
- Daytime running light does not come on after fulfilling the necessary conditions. Once the module is bad, power won’t reach the lamps, causing them to remain off.
- The vehicle is off, but DRL is on. The Silverado daytime running light should be off when you remove the car key from the ignition slot. Light staying on long after the car is off and key removed shows a problem with the DRL module. It also means there is a short in the module, which sends more power to the lamps than necessary. This problem drains the battery faster and causes the bulbs to burn out too often.
- Burning Smell. The most common problem sign with the DRL module is a burnt smell. A faulty module cannot regulate the power that enters the lamps or wiring, resulting in overheating and damage. This problem constitutes a safety hazard if not given immediate attention.
How to replace a daytime running light module?
Daylight running light modules control and operate the low beam headlamp. The module gets signals from various sensors like headlamp switch, ambient light sensor, brake switch, and ignition switch. It processes these signals, using them to operate the headlights. However, faulty daylight running light module can be frustrating.
First, you need a set of screws, wrenches, safety glasses, protective gloves, and a repair manual.
Step One
Use the vehicle repair manual to locate the DRL. Sometimes, it’s in the engine area or under the dashboard.
Step Two (Remove the module)
Disconnect the battery, then use the screws, wrench to remove the daytime running lights module. Then, detach the electrical connectors from the module to take them out.
Step Three (Replacing the new module)
Put the module in place. Use your hands to reconnect the electrical connectors. Then, bolt the new module using the right screws and wrench. Finally, reconnect the battery connectors and test your lights.
How to turn off daylight running lights?
Studies suggest daytime running lights make the roads safer. As already said, DRLs enhances visibility in low light conditions. However, they are not without disadvantages. One of the major daylight running lights problems is the shortening of the bulb’s lifespan. They also add extra pressure to the vehicle’s alternator. Looking at these shortcomings, you should want to turn off your truck’s daylight running lights.
Here are the steps to turning off your Silverado DRLs:
Step One
Press your parking brake gradually until you hear the click sound. By triggering the switch, the vehicle enters into a pseudo parking mode without activating the brakes. The only drawback is the brake light’s display on the dashboard, which prevents you from noticing real brake issues.
Step Two
Find your vehicle’s power distribution box. Check your truck’s manual for possible locations of the power DB. When found, locate the DRL’s relay and fuse.
Step Three
Take out the daylight running lamp fuse from the power DB. But inspect your vehicle’s electrical installations. Make sure each circuit is functioning as expected before you hit the roads.
Step Four
On some vehicles, the daytime running lights turn off if you turn the headlamp to the left. Turning the knob cuts power from the DRL’s fuses. However, you must repeat the step whenever you turn on your truck.
Step Five
Locate the wires that connect the DRLs bulbs and cut the ground wire. Tape the exposed wires to prevent any breach. Finally, inspect your vehicle’s electronic installations to everything works perfectly.
Why are my daytime running lights not working?
If the DRL warning light remains on after your car starts, it means you have a circuit issue or burnt lamp. Besides, if the DRL or headlamps stops working, you might need to replace the module or bulb.
Do daylight running lights come on automatically?
DRLs are installed to make our roads safer. Under the right conditions, they should turn on automatically.
Do daytime running lights stay on at night?
The daylight running lights are bright enough to warn oncoming vehicles in the daytime. You cannot turn them off except the headlights are switched on. However, DRLs are extremely bright and could cause dazzle if used at night. Besides, their illumination is not sufficient for the night.
How long do LED daylight running lights last?
Good daylight running light LED lasts for at least 50000 hours.
What color can a daytime running light be?
Most DRLs models emit white or amber lights.
How do I fix my DRL light?
Locate the daylight running light in the engine compartment, test and replace any burned out fuse or bulb.
How do you turn on daytime running lights at night?
To turn on DRLs at night, turn on your ignition, put off headlights, and set the vehicle to auto light mode.
Does DRL consume a car battery?
DRLs come on only when the vehicle is moving and dim when headlights are on. Since they work by sensors, there is no danger of battery drain.
