Do we have a headlight on indicator on the dash?

[SnowDrifter]

Realized I don't have one. Someone want to save me the trouble of pulling my cluster apart to see?

 

[Fless]

My '04 LT doesn't have one, but I wish it did. Hard to tell sometimes.

 

[RST Dana]

Realized I don't have one. Someone want to save me the trouble of pulling my cluster apart to see?

Flip your turn single lever to the other position and see if the bright indicator lights. That would mean they are on. Not the flash to pass quick pull towards the wheel movement.

 

[DougAMiller]

Realized I don't have one. Someone want to save me the trouble of pulling my cluster apart to see?

The Escalade headlight switch has an amber LED beside the Auto position that lights when the headlights are on. I don't think GM ever put that on the Chevy or GMC models (maybe Denali's??). However, it is not difficult to add. There is a pin on the headlight switch connector that has the signal from the BCM to turn on the LED. When I had my switch apart a few years ago to replace a burned out bulb, I noticed this and added the LED and backlights for the right side of the switch where the instrument lamp dimmer is. After you add the LED you have to open a small circle in the paint to let it shine through. I used a circle template the same size as the amber indicator for the fog lights and a needle to scrape away the paint. Looks like it came from the factory.

Or, you could just buy a used Escalade switch.

 

[RST Dana]

The Escalade headlight switch has an amber LED beside the Auto position that lights when the headlights are on. I don't think GM ever put that on the Chevy or GMC models (maybe Denali's??). However, it is not difficult to add. There is a pin on the headlight switch connector that has the signal from the BCM to turn on the LED. When I had my switch apart a few years ago to replace a burned out bulb, I noticed this and added the LED and backlights for the right side of the switch where the instrument lamp dimmer is. After you add the LED you have to open a small circle in the paint to let it shine through. I used a circle template the same size as the amber indicator for the fog lights and a needle to scrape away the paint. Looks like it came from the factory.

Or, you could just buy a used Escalade switch.

How about a nighttime pic of said mod?

 

[Fless]

I'll have to take a look at my light switch when it's darker out to see if it has an indicator on it. It's a bit out of my line of sight when driving so I haven't noticed if the "bulb" indicator is even there (in the upper right-hand corner) and if it lights up with the headlights.

The Esky switch would be a nice thing to have.

 

[HiHoeSilver]

The Escalade headlight switch has an amber LED beside the Auto position that lights when the headlights are on. I don't think GM ever put that on the Chevy or GMC models (maybe Denali's??). However, it is not difficult to add. There is a pin on the headlight switch connector that has the signal from the BCM to turn on the LED. When I had my switch apart a few years ago to replace a burned out bulb, I noticed this and added the LED and backlights for the right side of the switch where the instrument lamp dimmer is. After you add the LED you have to open a small circle in the paint to let it shine through. I used a circle template the same size as the amber indicator for the fog lights and a needle to scrape away the paint. Looks like it came from the factory.

Or, you could just buy a used Escalade switch.

My 03 denali has it.
The 06 tahoe doesn't.

 

[DougAMiller]

How about a nighttime pic of said mod?

Here is a pic from ebay of the Escalade switch. The LED by the OFF position indicates if you have the DRLs turned off. I can take a picture of mine this evening.

 

[DougAMiller]

Here is what my modified switch looks like

 

[iamdub]

My entire windshield is a "headlight on" indicator.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Here is a pic from ebay of the Escalade switch. The LED by the OFF position indicates if you have the DRLs turned off. I can take a picture of mine this evening.

Same switch my 03 Tahoe has, with amber and green lights on the left.

 

[HiHoeSilver]

Same switch my 03 Tahoe has, with amber and green lights on the left.

Ok. So these things interest me alot. Somebody please find an 04 and see if it's in there. A lot of things changed for 03-06. Then some things for 05-06. There are a few weird things that seem to have migrated in during the 04 MY, I wonder if this is one.

 

[DougAMiller]

Same switch my 03 Tahoe has, with amber and green lights on the left.

Oh, that's right. I put in an amber LED for the ON indicator, but I later learned that the Escalade used green. The Escalade used amber for the DRL OFF indicator. I like amber better as it matches all of the other indicator LEDs on the switches, but I guess most vehicles use green for the headlight indicator.

 

[DougAMiller]

Ok. So these things interest me alot. Somebody please find an 04 and see if it's in there. A lot of things changed for 03-06. Then some things for 05-06. There are a few weird things that seem to have migrated in during the 04 MY, I wonder if this is one.

Well, the DRL OFF indicator seems to be programmed out of the BCM on my 2005 Tahoe, but the headlights ON definitely still works. The DRL wire still goes from the BCM to the switch, but doesn't carry a signal on mine.

 

[HiHoeSilver]

Well, the DRL OFF indicator seems to be programmed out of the BCM on my 2005 Tahoe, but the headlights ON definitely still works. The DRL wire still goes from the BCM to the switch, but doesn't carry a signal on mine.

Just like the trans temp.....

 

[DougAMiller]

How about a nighttime pic of said mod?

Here's the night shot showing it with the other amber indicators.

 

[DougAMiller]

Just like the trans temp.....

Yep, but I finally figured out how to fix that!

 

[HiHoeSilver]

Yep, but I finally figured out how to fix that!

You have no idea how awesome I think that is! I will put that to use, 100% when I rebuild the cluster in the hoe. You know, as soon as @Galante aims his headlights.

Your next conquest is right here. Get that drl off indicator working and sand another hole in your switch panel!!!

Edit: think of something good to do with the ± shift button on the NNBS shifter in an NBS.

 

[adventurenali92]

Really interesting thread topic. I never would have guessed these trucks would’ve had an indicator light for the auto headlights. The headlight switch on my 2006 Denali is just a switch. There’s no spot for there to be an indicator lamp beside the auto and off settings. And now I want one.....

 

[DougAMiller]

Really interesting thread topic. I never would have guessed these trucks would’ve had an indicator light for the auto headlights. The headlight switch on my 2006 Denali is just a switch. There’s no spot for there to be an indicator lamp beside the auto and off settings. And now I want one.....

All that is really needed is to put in the LED, as long as your switch has the wire in the harness. It's the pink wire in cavity 7. That is unless GM took it out of the BCM programming for 2006 MY.