Automatic Headlights - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Myride67c10 · 03-05-2003, 11:23 AM

I was thinking about making the headlights come on automatically when it gets dark, like newer vehicles. Has anyone ever done this mod.? What kind of problems will I incur? Any idea of cost? I was think that all I would need would be a 12volt electric eye and possibly mount it some where in the grill.

ChevLoRay · 03-05-2003, 12:03 PM

I'd start by finding an old Cadillac/Buick/Oldsmobile automatic dimmer and the wiring diagram for that vehicle. Then, you could wire it in and have automatic "on" and "dim".

As for having them come on automatically, a relay (to route the power to the lights), a photocell (with circuitry to allow fine-tuning) and the knowledge to put it all together. You don't want them coming on when you're not driving the vehicle, but you do want them to work, when you are driving it.

My question is WHY? If it is a "cool" factor, who but you would know that your "automatic" system turned them on, as opposed to you reaching forward and pulling out the knob? I don't mean to put down your idea, just doing like my old micromanaging boss did me, i.e., question everything, even the plant manager! She is still working....I'm retired.

BobbyK · 03-05-2003, 12:20 PM

Here are a couplelinks to some kits for "DRL'S",daytime running lights.
I have no experience with them though.

http://www.trucknvans.com/lights/

http://www.jcwhitney.com/product.jht...436996&BQ=jcw2

http://hamsar.com/drl.htm

http://www.webelectricproducts.com/products.htm

http://www.liteminder.com/drl.html

Jason71k10 · 03-05-2003, 12:29 PM

i have no idea how you would do it, but I don't think putting the eye on the grill would be such a good idea. Those things usually have about a 30 sec. delay on them, so if you were sitting at a set of traffic lights at night, or anytime that you had bright lights pointing at the eye, it may shut the lights off

just my $.02

...then again, maybe they're not that light sensitive? I think most cars have them mounted on the top of the dash

Myride67c10 · 03-05-2003, 01:26 PM

ChevLoRay

The main reason is here in the city there are so many street lights that one tends not notice when he doesn’t have his lights on. Thus being a real problem with having to take a sobriety test every time you get pulled over and also there’s just a since of security there knowing your lights are on when they are suppose to be.

BobbyK

Thanks for the links I’ll check them out

Jason71k10

Good point about mounting in the grill.

Does anybody here now how the systems work on newer vehicles?

NSANE68!!! · 03-05-2003, 02:27 PM

I bought the one from JC Whitney. It seems like a good kit the eye is mounted on the dash. All the wiring looks straight forward, and you can leave your existing light switch for overide. I think I paid $40. I have not installed yet. It is sitting in the pile of other new parts I have yet to install. I wish I had more TIME. Oh well when I'm ready it is all sitting there no more shopping to do.

tom hand · 03-05-2003, 02:29 PM

I have had that system on two new Chevy trucks and it rocks. Just crank your truck and go and if it is dark outside the headlites come on. The eletric "eye" that turns on the headlites on the trucks is on the dash

BobbyK · 03-05-2003, 02:35 PM

If the eye is mounted were it isn't exposed to "direct light",like oncoming headlights,it will work fine.
I have a Canadian vehicle with the DRL from the factory.
The eye is on the dash but it is not exposed to oncomeing head lights.

DennyB · 03-05-2003, 08:33 PM

This is something I would also be intrested in. Not DRLs but automatic lights on a delay so they stay on till ya get in the house.
Anyone seen a kit like this?

NSANE68!!! · 03-06-2003, 01:09 PM

Yea my kit stays on 30,60,90 sec after motor off. They also come on when you turn on the wipers

DennyB · 03-06-2003, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by NSANE68!!!
Yea my kit stays on 30,60,90 sec after motor off. They also come on when you turn on the wipers

Do you have a link or model and number so that I can research it further?
Thanks,

Longhorn Man · 03-07-2003, 10:36 AM

While unfamiliaf with the GM set up, i know the Lincolns have a set up that will automaticly hit your high beams when there is no oncomming traffic...adjustabel of course. It also turns them on at light, a delay on turning them off and manual over ride. The eye for this set up is mounted on the rear view mirror.

DennyB · 03-10-2003, 02:59 PM

TTT for NSANE68 question..

**Desert Rat** · 03-10-2003, 04:41 PM

It was offered in 61-4 Impalas also i have a factory unit for my 62,its very similar to the Cadillac ones,Caddy ones can be had fairly reasonable but a used chevy one about $250,or i know a guy who sells restored ones for $750 they are complex if you get a old one and you have to have the proper tools to service,buick and olds had them to in chevy is was called a autronic eye,earlier it was a guide-matic.youd be better off getting a aftermarket.

DennyB · 03-10-2003, 06:03 PM

Thanks for the input DR

03-05-2003, 11:23 AM	#1
Myride67c10 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 165	Automatic Headlights I was thinking about making the headlights come on automatically when it gets dark, like newer vehicles. Has anyone ever done this mod.? What kind of problems will I incur? Any idea of cost? I was think that all I would need would be a 12volt electric eye and possibly mount it some where in the grill. __________________ 1967 C-10 Use to be Riptide

03-05-2003, 12:03 PM	#2
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	I'd start by finding an old Cadillac/Buick/Oldsmobile automatic dimmer and the wiring diagram for that vehicle. Then, you could wire it in and have automatic "on" and "dim". As for having them come on automatically, a relay (to route the power to the lights), a photocell (with circuitry to allow fine-tuning) and the knowledge to put it all together. You don't want them coming on when you're not driving the vehicle, but you do want them to work, when you are driving it. My question is WHY? If it is a "cool" factor, who but you would know that your "automatic" system turned them on, as opposed to you reaching forward and pulling out the knob? I don't mean to put down your idea, just doing like my old micromanaging boss did me, i.e., question everything, even the plant manager! She is still working....I'm retired. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

03-05-2003, 12:20 PM	#3
BobbyK Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Petrolia,Ontario,Canada but working in Port Huron,Mi. Posts: 1,772	Here are a couplelinks to some kits for "DRL'S",daytime running lights. I have no experience with them though. http://www.trucknvans.com/lights/ http://www.jcwhitney.com/product.jht...436996&BQ=jcw2 http://hamsar.com/drl.htm http://www.webelectricproducts.com/products.htm http://www.liteminder.com/drl.html __________________ 71 blazer,350SBC,approx.375HP,700R4,factory GM TPI.Dual electric fans,33x12.5x15 ATR on stock suspension. Petrolia,Ontario,Canada but working in Port Huron,MI. See ALL my Blazer pic's HERE Last edited by BobbyK; 03-06-2003 at 09:07 PM.

03-05-2003, 01:26 PM	#5
Myride67c10 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 165	ChevLoRay The main reason is here in the city there are so many street lights that one tends not notice when he doesn’t have his lights on. Thus being a real problem with having to take a sobriety test every time you get pulled over and also there’s just a since of security there knowing your lights are on when they are suppose to be. BobbyK Thanks for the links I’ll check them out Jason71k10 Good point about mounting in the grill. Does anybody here now how the systems work on newer vehicles? __________________ 1967 C-10 Use to be Riptide

03-05-2003, 02:27 PM	#6
NSANE68!!! SLICER AND DICIER Join Date: May 2001 Location: Quuen Creek Posts: 1,383	I bought the one from JC Whitney. It seems like a good kit the eye is mounted on the dash. All the wiring looks straight forward, and you can leave your existing light switch for overide. I think I paid $40. I have not installed yet. It is sitting in the pile of other new parts I have yet to install. I wish I had more TIME. Oh well when I'm ready it is all sitting there no more shopping to do. __________________ 01 Tahoe 22's 2/4 drop and tv's 68 chevy money pit 51 chevy belair 95 Honda 900RR 05 GMC Siearra (company truck)

03-05-2003, 12:29 PM	#4
Jason71k10 ready for reassembly Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Barrie ONT, Canada Posts: 413	i have no idea how you would do it, but I don't think putting the eye on the grill would be such a good idea. Those things usually have about a 30 sec. delay on them, so if you were sitting at a set of traffic lights at night, or anytime that you had bright lights pointing at the eye, it may shut the lights off just my $.02 ...then again, maybe they're not that light sensitive? I think most cars have them mounted on the top of the dash

03-05-2003, 02:29 PM	#7
tom hand CCRider Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Olive Branch,MS,USA Posts: 2,232	I have had that system on two new Chevy trucks and it rocks. Just crank your truck and go and if it is dark outside the headlites come on. The eletric "eye" that turns on the headlites on the trucks is on the dash __________________ 72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail Olive Branch MS

03-05-2003, 02:35 PM	#8
BobbyK Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Petrolia,Ontario,Canada but working in Port Huron,Mi. Posts: 1,772	If the eye is mounted were it isn't exposed to "direct light",like oncoming headlights,it will work fine. I have a Canadian vehicle with the DRL from the factory. The eye is on the dash but it is not exposed to oncomeing head lights. __________________ 71 blazer,350SBC,approx.375HP,700R4,factory GM TPI.Dual electric fans,33x12.5x15 ATR on stock suspension. Petrolia,Ontario,Canada but working in Port Huron,MI. See ALL my Blazer pic's HERE

03-05-2003, 08:33 PM	#9
DennyB Led Sled! Discs R 4 ME! Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Toms River, NJ, USA (Transplanted Hoosier) Posts: 7,327	This is something I would also be intrested in. Not DRLs but automatic lights on a delay so they stay on till ya get in the house. Anyone seen a kit like this? __________________ "Never ride faster than your Angel can fly" I.M.O.M,W,J&C Patriot Guard Rider

03-06-2003, 01:09 PM	#10
NSANE68!!! SLICER AND DICIER Join Date: May 2001 Location: Quuen Creek Posts: 1,383	Yea my kit stays on 30,60,90 sec after motor off. They also come on when you turn on the wipers __________________ 01 Tahoe 22's 2/4 drop and tv's 68 chevy money pit 51 chevy belair 95 Honda 900RR 05 GMC Siearra (company truck)

03-07-2003, 10:36 AM	#12
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	While unfamiliaf with the GM set up, i know the Lincolns have a set up that will automaticly hit your high beams when there is no oncomming traffic...adjustabel of course. It also turns them on at light, a delay on turning them off and manual over ride. The eye for this set up is mounted on the rear view mirror.

03-10-2003, 02:59 PM	#13
DennyB Led Sled! Discs R 4 ME! Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Toms River, NJ, USA (Transplanted Hoosier) Posts: 7,327	TTT for NSANE68 question.. __________________ "Never ride faster than your Angel can fly" I.M.O.M,W,J&C Patriot Guard Rider

03-10-2003, 04:41 PM	#14
Desert Rat Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Darrington, Washington Posts: 3,963	It was offered in 61-4 Impalas also i have a factory unit for my 62,its very similar to the Cadillac ones,Caddy ones can be had fairly reasonable but a used chevy one about $250,or i know a guy who sells restored ones for $750 they are complex if you get a old one and you have to have the proper tools to service,buick and olds had them to in chevy is was called a autronic eye,earlier it was a guide-matic.youd be better off getting a aftermarket.

03-10-2003, 06:03 PM	#15
DennyB Led Sled! Discs R 4 ME! Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Toms River, NJ, USA (Transplanted Hoosier) Posts: 7,327	Thanks for the input DR __________________ "Never ride faster than your Angel can fly" I.M.O.M,W,J&C Patriot Guard Rider

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