turn the DRL's OFF!

Tacoma_Tom · 03-12-2006, 08:20 AM

bigbill25 edit: Adding solutions to first post.

To turn of the DRL permanently:

Quote:

FJ Dragon previously said:

[Unplug the connector that is] Found here

and separates here

The trick is to feel for the release with your thumb. It won't separate without depressing it.

Good luck.

To turn off the DRLs only when stopped (a.k.a. Drive-In Movie Mode):

Quote:

bigbill25 previously said:

Here's the full procedure, with numbers this time...

Drive to where you want and stop the FJ
Put it in Park (for AT equipped FJs) or Neutral (for MT equipped FJs)
Engage parking brake
Turn off FJ
Turn on FJ
Your DRLs are now off

I guarantee this works... If it doesn't, strip me of my post count...

--Bill

End bigbill25 edit.

Dragon Edit to add SwissArmySUV's switch

Quote:

SwissArmySuv previously said:

Hi Boys and Girls, Swiss here with another “DRL” thread.

I know a number of you are saying: “Gosh Swiss haven’t we beat this one to death?” And/or … “you’ve been around long enough to know better!”

My answer to you is (3) fold:
1) You are 100% correct
2) I read all (well, mostly all) existing DRL threads this morning and I just thought there was a slightly better way and it might be worth posting for those like me that are finally getting around to this
3) If I added this to an existing DRL post, no one will make it that far

This mod is basically just adding a switch to the DRL’s with a little different tap location, so if you have been through this before, you may wish to bail here!

Ok, before I get going, I want everyone to know that I firmly believe DRL’s save lives and they should be on. However, there are a few exceptions (when I am not driving on an open road) when I need them to be off and you have read most of the exceptions before so I don’t need to elaborate.

The other threads tend to make the DRL switch tap right up at the front lights where it is very tight and hard to get to or they instruct on removing a number of body pieces. I chose to work in a simpler location. Right under the hood where the DRL relay is.

This is it

Remove the relay box next to it to ease access

Remove the cover from the DRL box and insert a flat blade screwdriver into the locking tab to release the tabs. Lift straight up on the DLR box and it comes free from its mounting tabs. (that one took me a while to figure out)

Remove the bottom cover on the box and strip back the tape on the wires

Locate the (2) blue lead wires connected to a single terminal

Cut the smaller of the (2) blue lead wires about 1 ¼” from the terminal
Note: The smaller of the (2) blue leads has little grayish dots on it and the bigger one does not, make sure you cut the correct one

Make up a (2) lead mini-harness to run into the cab and attach to a switch. Attach (1) lead to each of the cut wires.
Note: When I do a crimp joint like this, I always use a little anti-oxidant grease on the leads prior to crimping on the terminal

Tuck in your splices into the relay box, re-tape the lead harness, and snap the covers back on

Remount the (2) removed relay boxes and run the new 2-wire harness through a grommet in the fire wall

Mount a switch, hook up the wires, and you are done. I chose a small 2 position switch and mounted it in an obscure location since I intend to really not turn the DRL’s off very often. This way I will not accidentally turn them off. Can you spot the switch?

Sorry about “another DRL thread” but this one seems like it would be a lot easier for folks to do.

Hope you enjoyed the project.

Does anyone know if it will be possible to turn the daytime running lights off?

Permanently?

I never caught on to the point of DRL's. If you can't see during the day, DON'T DRIVE! If you cant see other cars during the day, DON'T DRIVE! Oohh I know! I'll shoot beams of light at everyone so they can see me! Maybe I could just drive around with my high beams on, I've seen that more than I care to remember.
Want me to tell you how I really feel?

Keyek · 03-12-2006, 08:22 AM

What I want to know is any one going to replace the original lights with HID or Xenon?

**mbisson** · 03-12-2006, 08:28 AM

The point is so other people see you. If you have ever been driving along at 60mph or better and had someone pull out right in front of you, you know why they put on DRLs. I know it looks stupid, but it is a safety thing. I don't suppose you drive around without your seatbelt because it gives you more freedom. Or maybe you do.

oldawg · 03-12-2006, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Tacoma_Tom previously said:

Does anyone know if it will be possible to turn the daytime running lights off?

Permanantly?

I never caught on to the point of DRL's. If you can't see during the day, DON'T DRIVE! If you cant see other cars during the day, DON'T DRIVE! Oohh I know! I'll shoot beams of light at everyone so they can see me! Maybe I could just drive around with my high beams on, I've seen that more than I care to remember.
Wan't me to tell you how I really feel?

They are not that hard to get around usually a fuse can be removed or in the case of my zukie I just backed the emergency brake off so I can click it once and turn them off.....Its going to be fun to See this forum morph into everyone sharing Ideas and mods rather than my dealer's hosing me and guessing if they have this or that.....

Matrixv01 · 03-12-2006, 08:45 AM

I like DRL's for aesthetic as well as safety reasons. I would also replace stock with Xenon for the same reasons.

**mbisson** · 03-12-2006, 09:07 AM

Actually I unhooked mine on my Tundra once. There is a connector behing the battery which you just took apart and the DRLs are disabled. The lights still word normaly. Maybe the FJ will be the same?

***Bostonian1976*** · 03-12-2006, 10:55 AM

Keep them on. Anything to lessen the chance of an idiot on the road (there are one or two out there) pulling out in front of you, or seeing you on a 2 lane road is a good thing. Just remember...not everyone is in their 20's and a decent driver.

My grandfather in Jersey was driving til 2 years ago. He's 93. Drove his new BMW 525i into another guy on a wide road coming the other way. Oh ya and he drove up an offramp the wrong way.

If these things help people see you better, it's worth keeping

chaz · 03-12-2006, 11:00 AM

I have heard from a good source that the State Police will give a little more leniancy towards speeders (within reason) if they are running with their lights on during the day.

oldawg · 03-12-2006, 11:37 AM

Quote:

chaz previously said:

I have heard from a good source that the State Police will give a little more leniancy towards speeders (within reason) if they are running with their lights on during the day.

Sooooooo... then if you have the high beams on will they let you flat out haul A$$ ?...Someone want to volunteer on this one ?

Kansas Law Dog · 03-12-2006, 11:56 AM

Remember my sign-on is for the movie Tombstone and some of the classic lines. I'm not in law enforcement, I'm an engineer (absent minded according to my wife).

With that said, I don't drive with running lights, I drive with full beam (not high beam) all the time. I am convinced that a well intentioned driver may look both ways and not see your car, but car and lights increase the chance he will notice you.

You will always have the driver that is a jerk and pulls out to get in front of you, but the good drivers only do so when they make a mistake. One final note the glare may be prominent in the direction you are coming from. With lights on the guy about to pull out will see something he would miss without lights. Lecture over.