Automatic Headlights installed & working

What a pain it was getting the specs on the harness. Once I had the 411 on the harness (thanks to another PC member) It took about 1.25 hours to install. I walked slowly so I would not burn up something.

Basically you take apart the lower driver dash. Take apart the steering column shroud. Take apart the upper dash. Punch the pop out plastic piece where the auto headlight sensor is supposed to be. Then remove the harness connector to the headlights. You use a multimeter to make sure you have the two correct wires. I soldered my auto-light unit wires to those two wire wires on the harness. Next you hook up constant power and ground to the unit. Last you hook up the switched power 12v+ wire to the unit. Tie everything down and clean up. Put it all back together. Enjoy the auto headlights.

A few pics...

 

It was a kit. I cant remember where I got it right now. Its been sitting on my to do table for 1 month. I will post more later specs later.

 

Its not that bad. The car pops apart and pops back together real easy.

 

OK so here is the final deal.

Buy the above mentioned kit
Buy some wire connector ends multi assortment pack at home depot.
Buy some wire taps for very small wire (maybe 30 guage at the headlight harness) or get a soldering iron and solder (my choice)
Get some electrical tape and small tie wraps.
Tools needed are a Phillips screw driver, wire cutters, electrical tape, wire coat hanger, crimper tool, soldering iron.
Remove left ac vent.
Remove lower dash under wheel two screw one left one center.
Remove shroud around wheel. Turn wheel top side left and take out screw, top side right and 2nd screw. Bottom screw by wheel movement handle.
Split open shroud and pull bottom down.
Unplug headlight harness left center bottom wheel (20 pin)
Solder or tap into two wires with two more wires 18 inches long (pin 18/20 red and yellow wire that are next to each other on 2008 model) DO NOT TAP INTO SINGLE RED WIRE ON OPPOSITE END YOU WILL BURN UP YOUR CAR BCU!!!!!!!!!
Test these wires with multi-meter if not sure, should not be +12v.
Connect these two wires to the brown wire on the relay/kit
Connect the blue relay (crimp connector end on for 10mm nut) end with crimper wire same relay as brown on the kit to constant ground under the dash
Connect the red wire in the kit to constant power ( constant power as specified in the full time 12v outlet mod)
Connect the yellow wire in kit to the 12v outlet white wire (switched 12v+)
Punch out hole popout near window lower left where top left dash meet (where headlight sensor is supposed to be) looks like a little round hole 3/4 inch diameter.
Run coat hanger with tiny bent end for hooking wire under dash up to the hole.
Fish kit light sensor plug end back through hole to front of dash near left ac vent.
Run kit switch on/off (left in OFF mode or kit will NOT work)) down to lower dash area and tie wrap behind that area.
Plug all plugs into kit and tie wrap near vent area.
Tie wrap all loose wires.
Test lights by placing black paper over sensor. They will come on instantly if power to car is on. Now remove paper and they will go off withing 20 seconds aprox.
Assemble dash.
Enjoy your auto headlights.

 

The stalk controls are untouched. They operate as normal. The kit provides headlights when dark, when wipers are on or when alarm is activated. There is an override OFF switch to the kit to cancel its use.

See the pic here. The switch will override the kit disabling it.
Make sure the shop knows what they are doing and wil pay for any damage they cause. A "bricked" BCU wont be cheap.

 

Maybe, but so could a good auto sound installer.

 

OK

I have a 4 day trip report with the new auto headlights. They work great and went on and off when needed. It was raining and snowing in the Sierras and very dark. I think I will put a light tint over the sensor so they come on a bit sooner but thats about it. I will report back after that is done.

 

The lights come on instantly. They go off after 15 seconds.
I removed the flip switch and installed a toggle switch and mounted it in the one of the two blank block offs near the dimmer. It looks stock and Im very happy with the system.

The over-ride switch.