LED Daytime running lights?

[cmatt]

@73Vetteman Three questions:

1. Does the 4700uf capacitor connect between the headlamp input wire and pin 85 on the outside relay?

2. Which wire coming out of the factory headlamp connector does pin 30 of the middle relay go to for the LED DRL? Is it position 6 (DRL Control) on the connector?

3. Does the wire from pin 87 on the middle relay go to position 7 (Park Lamp Control) on the headlamp connector and replace the factory park lamp circuit from the headlamp harness or does it splice into it?

 

[73Vetteman]

@73Vetteman Three questions:

1. Does the 4700uf capacitor connect between the headlamp input wire and pin 85 on the outside relay?

2. Which wire coming out of the factory headlamp connector does pin 30 of the middle relay go to for the LED DRL? Is it position 6 (DRL Control) on the connector?

3. Does the wire from pin 87 on the middle relay go to position 7 (Park Lamp Control) on the headlamp connector and replace the factory park lamp circuit from the headlamp harness or does it splice into it?

The (+) lead of the capacitor and the headlight power from the vehicle harness connect to the relay terminal. The (-) lead of the capacitor connects to chassis ground. It is much easier to buy the code cancel capacitor where one end plugs into the vehicle harness and just cut the plug off the other end to connect wires to the relay for headlight input and ground.

See attached photos to answer your other questions.

 

[Tylus]

So I tried it out myself and it worked. I literally just cut the wire for pin 2 and pin 6. Swapped it. Back into the headlight assembly and done. So now the led strip is on during the day and at night the headlights come on. Very easy without having to buy any new harness. The intensity of the led strip is the same. I didnt want to do more cutting or any other mods and end up screwing everything up. But at the end am super happy with the outcome. I also upgraded all the lights to LED - morimoto brand since I took the whole front end apart to make it easier to cut and swap.

can you give a long term feedback to this?

I have my aftermarket foglights triggered off the low beam feed right now. but am interested in doing your swap. LED Fogs and I will be swapping to LED head bulbs shortly.

mainly worried about long term issues by having these swapped. I can fix with relays, but would rather not add all the extra wiring if not needed.

 

[clderrick]

can you give a long term feedback to this?

I have my aftermarket foglights triggered off the low beam feed right now. but am interested in doing your swap. LED Fogs and I will be swapping to LED head bulbs shortly.

mainly worried about long term issues by having these swapped. I can fix with relays, but would rather not add all the extra wiring if not needed.

Don't know what happened to a post I just made explaining I found a way of modifying it to function correctly in all ways with my hid converted headlights.
Message me if you need more information. For 2015 through 2017 Tahoe and Subs. Requires 3 relays, cutting, and soldering.

can anyone post some pics of the light performance after the mod? My led strips are really dim during the day and wonder if it’s worth it. Thanks if you can! CD

 

[RST Dana]

@cmatt has cable extensions which make the non LTZ strip act like a DDL strip, except for the brightness. I added a wire to have my LED fogs power off if the LED strip power so they are on with DDLs.

 

[Martine46]

The LED strip is slightly dimmer than the strip used on the LTZ models but the difference is hardly noticeable. A code cancelling capacitor can be purchased for about $10 or a 4700 uf capacitor must be used on the headlight input to filter the PWM signal or the relay will buzz. This circuit is made for HID lights but will also work for halogen or LED headlights if wired to them.

This circuit allows everything to operated EXACTLY like the LTZ.

I'm glad theres a solution,
Only question I have is, what is it you have connected to pin 85 on the left and 30 on the right?
I'm assuming the HIDs but its never good to assume. Everything else looks pretty straight forward from the photos.

 

[bourgeois]

@cmatt has cable extensions which make the non LTZ strip act like a DDL strip, except for the brightness. I added a wire to have my LED fogs power off if the LED strip power so they are on with DDLs.

How can I order an extension cable?

 

[RST Dana]

@cmatt here is a customer

 

[cmatt]

How can I order an extension cable?

Send me an email to cmattbuild1 AT gmail DOT com and I’ll take care of you.

 

[73Vetteman]

I'm glad theres a solution,
Only question I have is, what is it you have connected to pin 85 on the left and 30 on the right?
I'm assuming the HIDs but its never good to assume. Everything else looks pretty straight forward from the photos.

View attachment 223427

Pin 85 is the input from the headlight wire on the vehicle harness. (Only one headlight input is needed). The + side of the capacitor also needs to be connected to that pin.
Pin 30 connects to both ballasts for the hid lights..
John

 

[bradac]

Has anyone found a solution to running the DRL led strip 100%?

Is this a programming and wiring thing? Or is it an entirely different headlight ?

I only ask as the 2018 models have it standard across all trim headlights now, but still halogen bulbs on lower trims, so there has to be a way right?

 

[RST Dana]

Has anyone found a solution to running the DRL led strip 100%?

Is this a programming and wiring thing? Or is it an entirely different headlight ?

I only ask as the 2018 models have it standard across all trim headlights now, but still halogen bulbs on lower trims, so there has to be a way right?

I’m tagging @cmatt
I have his solution and it works on my 16 to only have DRL as the LED strip if you desire it. Not as bright as 18, but it works.

 

[bradac]

I’m tagging @cmatt
I have his solution and it works on my 16 to only have DRL as the LED strip if you desire it. Not as bright as 18, but it works.

Yeah I’m curious if I put standard 2018 headlight lights in my 2016 with his solution if I would get 100% brightness, they seem to have different part numbers for headlights 2016 vs 2018.

I know in the past people tried Ltz lights and it didn’t work but that had more todo with programming due to HID, as HID can’t dim. But maybe a 2018 standard headlight might just work.

 

[BEIS]

Yeah I’m curious if I put standard 2018 headlight lights in my 2016 with his solution if I would get 100% brightness, they seem to have different part numbers for headlights 2016 vs 2018.

I know in the past people tried Ltz lights and it didn’t work but that had more todo with programming due to HID, as HID can’t dim. But maybe a 2018 standard headlight might just work.

I really wonder if this would work. It seems like it would - pair up CMatt’s harness with new headlights from a 2018+ Tahoe. Maybe CMatt could chime in? He’s the pro when it comes to our harnesses.

 

[cmatt]

Yeah I’m curious if I put standard 2018 headlight lights in my 2016 with his solution if I would get 100% brightness, they seem to have different part numbers for headlights 2016 vs 2018.

I know in the past people tried Ltz lights and it didn’t work but that had more todo with programming due to HID, as HID can’t dim. But maybe a 2018 standard headlight might just work.

That should work. I believe the LED strips are different parts between 2017 & 2018. The main hurdle would be the expense of swapping headlamp assemblies.


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[bradac]

That should work. I believe the LED strips are different parts between 2017 & 2018. The main hurdle would be the expense of swapping headlamp assemblies.


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I have the ability to obtain the newer 2018 standard headlights, and install them on my 2016 Tahoe LS, I just don’t have the harness. Are you referencing the Gen5DIY harness?

 

[73Vetteman]

I suspect the only difference between the 2017 and 2018 headlight assemblies is slightly brighter led strips. Not worth the expense if that is the case.

The Body Control Module (BCM) programming is definitely different on prior to 18 models since it sends a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) for reduced headlight brightness when headlights are used as DRL’s. The 18 and later BCM sends full power to the led strip instead of the headlights for Daytime Running Lights (DRL). The relay system I made alters the 15-17 BCM signals to perform like the 18 and later BCM output.

 

[cmatt]

I have the ability to obtain the newer 2018 standard headlights, and install them on my 2016 Tahoe LS, I just don’t have the harness. Are you referencing the Gen5DIY harness?

I’m not referencing their harness. My expectation, if you swap in the newer 2018 standard headlamp assemblies, is that they would behave like yours do now, but with a brighter LED strip. My harness would make the LED strip come on as DRLs instead of the headlamps.

 

[dvpvic]

Hey guys though Id share what Ive found in regards to the LED strip in a 15-17 headlight vs the newer 18-19. The actual strip is different. I plugged in a 2018 set into my 2016 LT and everything functioned but LED strips were brighter. What didn't function is the whole LED DRL mess. It is a BCM thing like everyone has said on here. Check link below to thread where I posted a pic of side by side comparison of the two different housings (post #20)

https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/thr...light-led-as-drl-vice-low-beams.111622/page-2

 

[RST Dana]

Hey guys though Id share what Ive found in regards to the LED strip in a 15-17 headlight vs the newer 18-19. The actual strip is different. I plugged in a 2018 set into my 2016 LT and everything functioned but LED strips were brighter. What didn't function is the whole LED DRL mess. It is a BCM thing like everyone has said on here. Check link below to thread where I posted a pic of side by side comparison of the two different housings (post #20)

https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/thr...light-led-as-drl-vice-low-beams.111622/page-2

Where did you get the newer LED strip and how hard was it to swap out?