I was a good little newb and checked the FAQs, but didn't see these covered.

I traded in two Ford trucks for a 2001 2500HD two months ago. Hush, I don't want to hear it . This my first time owning a Chevy, and I love it. Took me forever to get used to the oomph of this one after driving a diesel for years; I was still barking the tires three weeks after getting it home. VERY embarrassing! But it's an awesome ride.

There is only one issue I have with this truck and that is that I can't find how to shut off the "auto lamp" feature. I like being in control of when my headlights are on/off, and loathe the auto lamp feature. I had one truck 11 years ago with this, a Ford, and it had a switch that turned it off. I was told the "dome override" would turn this off, and if I press the button several times it will, but I don't want to have to hit the button four or five times every time I turn the truck on. Owner's manual was less than helpful...

Also, when I bought it, the windshield wiper fluid reservoir had a hole in it. I want to replace it, and it looks like it lives under the battery. I have an extended warranty thing on the truck from when I bought it, but I don't like getting the pandering, look-at-the-little-girl-in-her-trucky attitude I get at even the BEST dealerships and would like to give it a shot myself. I did a lot of this minor stuff on my Fords, but everything was just...there...out in the open. Is it hard to get that battery out? What all needs to be disconnected?

Help would be appreciated

ETA: looks like pics are required Here's the only one I have, a friend snapped it when I swung by to check wiring.

 

I hope someone who has disabled the auto-headlights will chime in here as I want to know the same thing.

As I understand it, you can bypass the light sensor on top of the dash. My question is: how do you get to the sensor? Do you have to remove the radio, or is there some other way?

Gary

 

i own an 03 silverado and my washer fluid was leaking... my advice is to buy a plastic patch from auto zone and patch it.

 

You have to push the button three times. And you have to do it every time as far as I know. Kind of a goofy setup.

As far as the battery, just unbolt the cables (8mm I believe) and the hold down (if there is one) at the base of the battery. Then you can unbolt the battery tray (10mm).

 

I remember reading somewhere you can replace the light sensor on the dash with an LED bulb.... I'm not sure if I buy that or not. Apparrently the LED provides resistance and the DRL's stay off, and the auto headlights don't come on. I don't immagine it would hurt anything to give it a shot, I'm just not so sure if it will work.

 

To the best of my knowledge you cannot turn off the Daytime Running Lights. You can either wire in a switch or just remove the bulbs. To eliminate the Automatic Headlights, you need to either do the "dome light button exercise" every time you get in the truck, or you have to replace the sensor on the dash with an LED. To do this you pull the stereo out, reach way back and pull the sensor out, disconnect it, then push the wiring harness through the dash. Splice in, wedge in, or solder an LED bulb in there. You can get the bulbs at Radio Shack. Word of advice, get a LED socket and a washer. Put the LED in the socket, put the washer behind the socket, then slide the wiring harness on. This will hold it and prevent it from popping back through the dash. And it will look like you have an aftermarket alarm system too. FYI: on cold mornings the LED will not provide sufficient resistance an the Automatic Lights will come on until the truck warms up a little.

For the reservoir, disconnect the battery leads, unbolt the "hold-down". Its a rubber or plastic piece that holds the battery down. Its between the battery and the PCM/Fuse box. You might have to unbolt the battery tray also. I would try patching the reservior with JB Weld or something like that before I replaced it.

 

You can turn off the running lights as I mentioned above.

And I think I said how to remove the battery and tray too.

lol

 

Ops, when I am at work I don't read all the way through the thread sometimes. My Bad.

 

It's cool...made me laugh.

 

Wow, so that sounds complicated. Any chance you live near me?? <sigh> Oh well.