Disable forced DRL (Canada)

[p.r]

I want to disable my forced DRLs on 2011 Buick Regal (German) purchased in Canada. Right now the "AUTO", Parking light, and Headlight option keeps everything on even if you switch it back to "power" and it spring back to AUTO.

Covering the dome sensor does nothing,
Disconnecting the some sensor still did nothing.

I don't want DRLs being forced on all the time. Does anybody know how to disable them? I have a hunch that it is programmed this way, and if it is, can the dealer disable them?

I realize the purpose of DRLs and why they are important. I'm not trying to disable them completely, I just don't want them forced on where I can't ever turn them off.

 

[GTXgp]

I'm with you. My GS is the first car that I have ever left the DRLs on, only because they are the LEDs. If I had an '11 with reglar DRLs they would be disabled the day I got the car.

Ever since GM has had DRLs there has been a fuse to disable it... however, '10 and newer models seem to have lost the fuse. The Camaro board, which is more active than this one, has tons of guys with this same problem.

Here are a few solutions:

1. Cut the spring inside the switch housing that sets the switch to auto. A lot of Camaro guys are doing this, it is easy and free but you also lose the auto headlights.

• Pop out the switch
• remove the back cover( you can use a small screw driver to pry it)
• Be carefull not to loose the 2 small springs that will come out
• there will be a round spring (that surrounds the dial), all you need to do is cut the end of the spring, this will allow you to set the dial to off with out the knob returning it back to auto.

^This may or may not work if your car was built for the Canadian market. If you can flip your switch to the left to "temporarily" disable the DRLs now then it will work.

2. If you have a decent relationship with your dealer, they may be willing to turn off the DRLs with a Tech2. YMMV with this one, 99% of dealers won't touch it because it is a "safety" feature.

3. PM GTPprix, he has the ability to reprogram the BCM but you will have to send it to him and will have downtime.

Lastly, my own personal suggestion... there have been many cars that have similar BCM-control of the DRL (like the Regal) that still had a fuse. My '07 NNBS Silverado and '08 G8 had it so I would be shocked if the Regal doesn't have one somewhere...

4. There are a LOT of fuses in the underhood and cluster fuse box that are simply labeled "Body Control Module #1", "Body Control Module #2", etc... it is quite possible that GM simply isn't naming the DRL fuse anymore and is being lazy and calling it by one of these names instead. It wouldn't take much time to pull these "Body Control Module #x" fuses one at a time and see if one of them disables the BCM.

Hope you don't get a lot of people on soap-boxes bitching about you asking the question. I hate DRLs too and if I didn't have the LEDs I would be all over this one.

Good luck!
Adam

 

[p.r]

Removing the spring that sets it to auto will not work since when the vehicle is in drive even on the "off" position it stays on.

I have an alright relationship with my dealer, I MAY be able to get it done through them..

I recall the owners manual saying there are Body Control Module #1 through #4/5... this might be the best bet if the dealer refuses to do it.


As for people finding the need to let me know their opinion on why DRLs are important, save it because I really don't care, I already know the reason they're there, and I will disregard that for my own reasons.

 

[synolimit]

In my experience it's a big fat relay that controls them. Relays have 4-5-6 prongs and snapping one prong off will kill them and them alone. If you find that prong you're set and if you sometimes want them one you could run a switch to that wire that prong plugs into. Dealer or someone should have a nice wire diagram.

 

[GTXgp]

Removing the spring that sets it to auto will not work since when the vehicle is in drive even on the "off" position it stays on.

Yeah, I figured that may be the case since you have a canadian market car. Their laws are much more strict than the US.

I recall the owners manual saying there are Body Control Module #1 through #4/5... this might be the best bet if the dealer refuses to do it.

Yep, they are clearly identified in the owner's manual, both underhood and in the dash panel. It would be very quick and easy to try.

As for people finding the need to let me know their opinion on why DRLs are important, save it because I really don't care, I already know the reason they're there, and I will disregard that for my own reasons.

I agree :engarde:

 

[p.r]

So it doesn't matter WHAT fuse I take out they still come on and can't be turned off. Even the sneaky fuses GM says are "not used" only create a check engine light.

I'm wondering where I can get these disabled

 

[GTXgp]

In theory a dealer should be able to disable it with a Tech-2.

 

[j_siegel]

Tech2 doesn't do anything on the Regal. You need a GM MDI. This is all controlled through the BCM, but I don't believe GlobalTIS or TIS2000 has this as an option. Even if your dealership wanted to help, they probably couldn't. This weekend I'll look at the Vauxhall tech docs and see if I can find a wiring diagram for you.