2002 Chevy Silverado Headlights at dark

JAMESWALLACEJIMINI

MEMBER
2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
V8
4WD
AUTOMATIC
110,000 MILES

When turning on the ignition before daylight or after dark, my headlights don't come on, instead my parking lights come on and an indication that my high beams are on appears. I can turn the switch from auto to any position and/or push the dome override button and no change occurs. It started out happening for a little while then they would come on, and other times I can drive over ten miles and no change. The other day I drove ten miles to work with no headlights, turned the truck off and on again with no change. When I turned off the ignition and opened the door then shut it, came back to check again and they came on.
I wonder if the High beam indicator might be some kind of code?
Others I have talked to said to disconnect the battery and reconnect it to reboot the computer but I have not done this yet. Any Ideas?

5 Replies

QUAGMIRE86

MECHANIC
98 POSTS

It sounds like some odd-ball electrical problem you have there. I know that with the auto headlight feature, the optical sensor on the top/center of the dash tells the system when it is dark and to turn on the headlights. The only way to over-ride the optical sesnor is to depress the emergency brake, but as soon as you put it into drive, it over-rides the E-brake and the headlamps should illuminate. As far as the high-beam indicator being on and only your parking lamps illuminating, I would check the headlamp switch and the multi-function switch (high/low beam switch wiring). Also, check the connector at your E-brake pedal.

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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 5:33 PM

BOBBY_JONES23

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1 POST

My 2002 Chevy Silverado just started doing the exact same thing. I start it up, parking lights only come on, no headlights at all, but the high beam indicator is on. Just the other night first time they went off while driving home. Need to get this issue resolved, Thanks

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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 5:33 PM

TEXASMOGUL

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1 POST

Has anyone got this issue resolved? I just stated experiencing the same exact thing. Thanks.

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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 5:33 PM

3RIVERS

MEMBER
1 POST

My headlights refused to activate the other day on my '02 Silverado. No daytimes, lows or highs. All other lights worked fine. Fuses & relay checked out fine so was left to think the column switch was the culprit. Nonetheless, I read many of these blogs and just tried the battery disconnect for rebooting the computer. Easy to do for sure. Maybe it's coincidence but, voila! All lights are working. Thank you for a great New Year's gift!

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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 5:33 PM

ORANGE PEDAL

MEMBER
1 POST

Has anyone else found a solution other than rebooting the battery? I was stranded again because of this same prob and rebooting the battery didn't help.