Can auto headlamps be disabled?

Not sure if you can do that in the Equinox, but I've seen in PSA (Peugeot, Citroën) vehicles can have the auto function disabled via Proxia/Lexia on a dealer. So probably you should contact your local dealer and ask if they can do it for you. This is if the Auto switch located where you turn on the lights isn't working of course. However, since you put HID lighting kit, it might have not been installed properly, so seeing the people who had it done for you is also a good idea.

I put HID conversion lights in my 2005 Equinox. I pulled the DRL fuse and then to minimize confusion I covered the sensor on the dash so the car always thinks it is nighttime. I looked at the wiring diagrams I could find and decided that making the lights manual was beyond the hassle factor I'm willing to endure...