smithrock
Long Beach, CA.
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Joined: 01/07/2005
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I have a '98 Chevy 3500. My running lights come on by themselves, the only way to get them off is to disconnect the neg. battery cable. I thought it might be the switch but I don't think that's the problem. They seem to come on by themselves after driving for a couple mins.  Sometimes when I reconnect the neg. battery cable they will stay off, and sometimes not!
Anbody have any ideas on how to fix this problem?
I'm tired of disconnecting and connecting the battery cable everytime I go somewhere! 
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emaav
Hillsboro, Oregon
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Joined: 01/20/2007
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Do you have the auto light feature? (Lights come on when it gets dark) Maybe a bad relay or sensor?
Me (Eli) 1972
DW (Monique) 1974
DS (Alex) 1996
DD (Amanda) 2002
1997 GMC Safari
2003 Jayco Kiwi 21C
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smithrock
Long Beach, CA.
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Joined: 01/07/2005
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No auto light feature. Thought it might be a relay, but then it would happen all the time - not periodically. I'm wondering if it could be the battery or a ground?
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grampachet
West Coast
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Joined: 12/14/2006
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Are you saying they stay on after the ignition is shut off? Did this just begin?
2004 F-250 KR,CC,SB,SRW,4x4,V-10,3.73
2008 Montana 3000RK
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Jaseds
NE TN.
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Joined: 08/16/2007
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Have seen this on newer ones it is part of the daytime running light system. When you open door they will come on and after you exit they will stay on awhile.
 Have A Nice Day
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wgander
San Diego
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Joined: 07/30/2002
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It's GMs daytime running light system - the headlights come on at reduced intensity whenever you release the parking brake and put the vehicle in gear. The headlight switch will not override the system, so you can't turn off the daytime running lights unless you modify the electrical system. There should be an illuminated headlight icon on the dashboard display when the system's working. The icon does not light at night when the headlights are on.
2000 Four Winds Five Thousand 28A (Chevy 3500), Master Tow Dolly, 2000 Chevy Venture minivan TOAD
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sum1
So-Cal
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Joined: 11/07/2005
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grampachet wrote:Are you saying they stay on after the ignition is shut off? Did this just begin? Good question. Please clarify this and what you mean when you say "running lights"?
Also, depress the Parking Brake a couple of clicks when it happens. If this turns them off, then it's probably related to the DRL circuit. Otherwise, you probably have some bare or crossed wires that you'll go nuts trying to find! I'd start at the trailer connection. Keep us posted.
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smithrock
Long Beach, CA.
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Yes, they stay on even when the key is removed! They are my running lights {parking lights}. This just started happening about a week ago.
I'm not trying to override anything. I definetly think it's a short somewhere. I now have the neg. battery cable connected {not as tight as before} and for now they are staying off -which is a good thing!
I've got to try to figure this out and fix the problem once and for all !
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smithrock
Long Beach, CA.
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Joined: 01/07/2005
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Update: well they're still off after 3 days! (that's good). I think it has something to do with the battery cable not being tightened to it's fullest. is there anything that would indicate a problem when the battery cable is fully tightened versus semi-tightened?
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