DIY: Make 2015-2017 LS/LT headlights operate like a LTZ headlight (LED as DRL vice low beams)

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GranPrix

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Unfortunately there isn’t. There is no control module for the headlights. The LED strip has resistors hardwired into it that step down the voltage.


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So basically get 2018+ headlamps
 

NappyBoy

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View attachment 257900 Hey Guys,

so I installed CMatt's latest harness and I'm happy to report it has all functions as described.

Supports:

LED stripe on remote start
Parking Lights
Automatic on when vehicle is in drive

I took it a step further about a year ago by installing the standard 2018 headlights that have the brighter LED light bar, and I have full LED brightness. I'm going to unload a video later to show the results.

great work Matt. This is a photo of my car in drive. It was super sunny so it's harder to see but it's working great

View attachment 257898
so you got the full brightness at daytime and dimmed at night ?
 

Hummin24

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Theres another option. 2015 model year Just move your headlight switch to parking lights every time you get in. When I was trying to rework all this about 4 years ago this was the only logical way to do it. Honestly once you do it a few times it becomes muscle memory. Yes It also turns on the tail light LEDS which I think are just as important. Headlight DRL's are ridiculous. It used to bother me that my 15's LED's were no where near as bright as the 17+ but then I realized the 17+ were honestly to bright and will most likely burn out faster do to the associated heat.
 

NappyBoy

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Got it thanks [emoji846]


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Just installed your harness !
Completely happy and satisfied !
Thanks man !
One last question
If i install 2018+ will it behave like the LTZ brightness/dimmed led ?
 

cmatt

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Just installed your harness !
Completely happy and satisfied !
Thanks man !
One last question
If i install 2018+ will it behave like the LTZ brightness/dimmed led ?
Thanks![emoji4]
2018+ headlights LED strip would stay at full brightness.


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NappyBoy

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Hi matt for the harness i use police flasher moudle which makes my low beam wigwag after i installed the harness it stopped working... does the harness has anti flicker relays that i can remove ?
 

cmatt

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I answered your email that asked the same question.


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Moguy0416

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So now that things are verified, I'm ready to offer the newest DRL harness. It will give LTZ headlight behavior to 2015-2017 LS & LT Tahoes and Suburbans with the exception of the LED strips' ability to change brightness levels.

To inquire, please email me at [email protected]. This will help me keep things organized. Payment for the harness will reserve your place in the order queue. For those of you who previously got the DRL pigtails, I am offering a $25 discount (via core refund). Once the pigtails are received back and verified to be in acceptable condition, credit will be issued.

7f2487c3ae3486fc6f9864a4633fff28.jpg
Email sent
 

fdnyfish

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does anyone here know the part numbers for the male and female 8 pin plugs. I'm looking to make a 4' straight extension cable
 

Greg Kulbick

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I just went out and did this, despite my aversion to anything electrical. First time repinning a connector and everything still worked afterwards. Fairly easy once I ignored the gently part of the instructions and figured out pulling out the wire while holding open the detent. Would have been easier with a third hand.
 

RST Dana

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I just went out and did this, despite my aversion to anything electrical. First time repinning a connector and everything still worked afterwards. Fairly easy once I ignored the gently part of the instructions and figured out pulling out the wire while holding open the detent. Would have been easier with a third hand.
Photos or it didn’t work.
 

Bstief

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@Tylus very well done. I actually just built pigtail harnesses that swap these circuits so the factory forward lamp harness doesn't have to be modified. That way it's plug and play and reversible.


I updated the pic with the finished harnesses (taped & wire loom like the factory harness)
View attachment 327166


Couple questions:

1. You mentioned the Y91 forward lamp harness is larger to allow for more voltage draw. However, the wire gauge sizes are similar across the suv platforms at the headlamp connectors. The only exceptions are for those with RPO 6J7 (for PPV highbeam flasher) and the Escalade DRL circuit. Both are 18AWG instead of 20AWG in those instances. What am I missing? In 2018, when GM began using the LED strip for DRLs on all Tahoes, the main harness change I see is the wire at position 6 on the headlamp connectors only being 18AWG and only describing it as the DRL Control circuit.

View attachment 327167


2. I also saw where you said the wiring diagram showed the LTZ LED strip being physically different. Can you expand on which diagram and where it shows that? I'm not seeing it.

Getting the LED strip to have the same brightness as the LTZ version is what I've been working on. What I haven't determined yet is whether the LED strip hardware is different on the LTZ or if it's the circuitry/programming on the components inside the headlamp assembly. The parts catalog I can see doesn't show anything about the LED (only HID/non-HID assembly). Like @Kpwweb mentioned, I wonder if it's a PWM control issue where bypassing it with a relay would work. Although, if that's the case, I would think Gen5DIY's $230 LED DRL harness with its relays would address it. They make a point to state the LED brightness won't change. Maybe that's all their harness does, swap the circuits and use the DRL control to activate relays to provide a constant +12v. They even give the same disclaimer on park lamp/headlamp functionality change that you noted. What are your thoughts?

The only other way I'm currently aware of to do this is with three relays. That allows the LED strip to function as DRLs and keep factory functionality with the other headlamp functions. That's the way @73Vetteman did it.

I'm happy to build the pigtail harnesses with or without the relays for those interested. I'll even do the install with the relays if you'll come to me so I can verify the LED brightness. I'm in Mobile, AL.
Where can I get the pigtail harness that is just plug and play? I’m in South MS about 30 min from Mobile
 

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