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Day time running lights

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  • #862515
    Gary W.Gary W.
    Participant

      New old guy here. Been a long time viewer of Eric The Car Guy but now I must admit I need some help.

      I have a 2002 Chevy Express 1500 full size cargo van with the 5.0L V8. My day time running lights have been working intermittently. I have researched it on the web and have found articles about other Chevy vehicles with the same issue. I think it’s the DRL (daytime running lights) relay but have not been able to find it yet. There is a fuse box under the hood with other relays but not labeled for the DRL, so am posting here just in case someone else has run into this unfortunate issue. If anyone out there has found the relay and DRL module, I would greatly appreciate any information on it’s location.

      I know I can probably just pull the fuse for the DRL but would actually not like to do this as I like this feature as I’m pretty sure it has saved my butt from an accident before. As a last hope, I’ll probably have to get that dreaded Haynes repair manual. Thanks in advance.

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    • #862518
      RobRob
      Participant

        if you can take like a picture and upload both fuse box’s I can check it but I see like 30 diffrnt fuse box’s and I dont know which one is your’s…
        You can also do a google search and look at fuse box diagram then type your car model and it uslly will pull up

        #862525
        Gary W.Gary W.
        Participant

          I’ve pretty much spent the afternoon on the web looking up this issue and found many possible fixes, but they all involve trucks. I found one for the Express van but it was for a different year that had a different relay control panel.

          If and when I find the fix, I’ll post it here just incase others run into the same issue.

          Thanks for the response.

          #862528
          Ole EggersOle Eggers
          Participant

            For the Express 3500, this seems like a likely place to look:

            http://www.fixya.com/cars/t12803860-body_control_module_chevy_express_3500

            In the European GM car I´m driving, the relay is not part of the fuse box either. I had to take the fuse box down and above it, the relay was tied to a support bracket for the dash panel.

            #862571
            Gary W.Gary W.
            Participant

              Iznogood, thanks for the picture but it doesn’t look like mine. I’ll be going to the auto parts store to see if I can get a copy of the (gulp) Hayne’s Manual and if not, to the dealer to see if they can look it up on their computer.

              #862574
              Ole EggersOle Eggers
              Participant

                No, I didn´t suspect it did. But usually manufacturers places certain components in roughly the same spots

                It was just to give you a hint. I´m not even sure, if the Haynes can point to its location. The dealer should be able to however.

                #862614
                Gary W.Gary W.
                Participant

                  [quote=”Iznogood” post=169975]No, I didn´t suspect it did. But usually manufacturers places certain components in roughly the same spots

                  It was just to give you a hint. I´m not even sure, if the Haynes can point to its location. The dealer should be able to however.[/quote]

                  Got a copy of the Hayne’s manual today. It wasn’t much help as far as pictures go and even less help with wiring schematics, so I went to the dealer and they brought up a picture which only showed a DRL control module with no relay. I think this model only has the control module which allows a lower voltage to the regular headlight low beam to be used as a driving light. The control module cost about $100 at the dealer and I can’t even see it under the supposed location without tearing out a bunch of wiring, so just pulled fuse #15 for the DRL circuit and will just live with it that way. I may rig up an aftermarket LED driving light later. Thanks for the help and I hope this discussion helps someone in the future.

                  #862618
                  Isaias AlmanzaIsaias Almanza
                  Participant

                    Check the connectors for each DRL.

                    On Chevy’s they get hot and melt the connector due to loose fitting terminals. If your connectors look at all melted, call the local parts store and get some new pigtails for them. This is a new connector and two wires which need to be wired in. Soldering and heat shrink is best. Also use 4114K (long life bulbs).

                    #862641
                    RobRob
                    Participant

                      is it a 5.3L because I dont see a 5.0L motor for it… also what is the 8th digit on the VIN…. I was going to check out the service manual and look at the fuse block and what TSB’s… also is it a surbiban or P/B if you know…

                      #862697
                      Gary W.Gary W.
                      Participant

                        [quote=”ialmanza4″ post=170019]Check the connectors for each DRL.

                        On Chevy’s they get hot and melt the connector due to loose fitting terminals. If your connectors look at all melted, call the local parts store and get some new pigtails for them. This is a new connector and two wires which need to be wired in. Soldering and heat shrink is best. Also use 4114K (long life bulbs).[/quote]

                        These lights are glass sealed beam units. As a matter of fact, we were planning a trip and towing my RV trailer into the desert a few months ago so went to the local Pep Boys store and they don’t even stock these type of lights anymore in the store, so ended up buying one spare light from the dealer. The regular low and high beams work okay and from what I read, the DRL module provides a lower voltage to the low beam to be used as a running light.

                        On a side note, I had an issue with my tail lights working intermittently and via the web found out that Chevys have a problem with the rear tail light sockets corroding and losing the ground connection. I bought some generic GM type connectors from Summit Racing and adapted them and now my tail lights work normally.

                        #862699
                        Gary W.Gary W.
                        Participant

                          [quote=”Rob781″ post=170042]is it a 5.3L because I dont see a 5.0L motor for it… also what is the 8th digit on the VIN…. I was going to check out the service manual and look at the fuse block and what TSB’s… also is it a surbiban or P/B if you know…[/quote]

                          The label in the engine compartment of my Express 1500 van identifies it as a 5.0L. The eighth digit is “M”. I’m not sure what you mean by P/B?

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