2001 to 2002 DRL enabled (turn them back on)

For those of us in the Great White North we require Day Time Running Lights to be functional, and though there is a mix of information on the site, the information is confusing or doesn't relate to the 2001 and 2002 4Runner - these guys seem to be unique in this area.

So after buying my 2002 4Runner last weekend from one of our brothers in the south, I assumed I needed the famous flasher relay 81980-35020 and ordered it and bought it from my local dealer at an inflated cost - I have to say at this point I'm not sure I do or don't.

After removing the cover below the steering wheel it came apparent there was a module for the running lights, but why wasn't it work and do I still need the 81980-35020 relay? I found in the fuse box under the hood there is a 7.5 fuse marked "DRL". clearly my 4Runner is setup for day time running lights.

Above the gas peddle there is the junction box with 2 wire harness terminated on the lower bottom, plugging the 81980-35020 relay into the BLACK Connector on the right enabled the Marker lights to come on with the engine running - However I'm pretty sure this is wrong, it did however worked in allowing the 4Runner to pass the inspection.


Now with this setup not only do the Front Marker lights come on with the engine running, but also the rear, however that can be normal for some trucks - but is it for the 4runner??


I strapped the 81980-35020 relay to the top of the running light module for the time being till I figure out whats going.


Another thing of interest, the removing of the DRL fuse under the hood has no effect to this setup - again securing that this isn't right. Nor does lifting up the emergency brake turn the lights off.

So though I managed to get them working, I think I bypassed the OEM intended system, my next step is to figure out what the true function is of those 2 cables in the bottom of the junction box.

Any thoughts on this?

not sure if this will help but this is what my DRL module looks like. Ours should be the same. I would check the Black Wire with a yellow stripe see if someone disconnected it. like in the picture below

Thanks GottaBeTRD, Your right ours is the same and that is the first thing I checked, wire is still connected and I'm pretty sure I'm the first person under the dash. Maybe my module is bad? Do you have a picture of that junction block, can just see part of it in your pics.

yeah man ill snap some pictures of it today for you. hopefully get this figured out, thats too weird! So the DRL's just dont come on at all? do your fog lights work? and do your light shut off automaticly?

yeah man ill snap some pictures of it today for you. what parts did you want to see? hopefully get this figured out, thats too weird though! So the DRL's just dont come on at all... do your fog lights work? and do your light shut off automaticly?

GottaBeTRD said:

yeah man ill snap some pictures of it today for you. what parts did you want to see? hopefully get this figured out, thats too weird though! So the DRL's just dont come on at all... do your fog lights work? and do your light shut off automaticly?

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Like to see that junction box right of the gas pedal, you have part of it showing in the picture above. The drls don't come on at all till I installed the other drl relay box, so I think I've done bypassed the factory installed one. As for the fogs, 1 had a burnt out light and when I went to replace it all the screws snapped off so I took the other one off till I get a chance to rebuild them or find replacements. Our laws here require them to work during the inspection if they are installed, so right now its out of sight out of mind.

Lights only come on if I turn them on, so they stay on if I leave them on.. didn't even know this was a feature on this model.

I'm good with wiring, just hadn't had a chance to track it down, or even have a wire diagram to know what should be there if something is in fact missing. I've only just got it on the road today - bought it last weekend.

Thanks for the kind help!

Update:

After noticing that my rear window wouldn't roll down via the switch on the dash I decided to remove the relay and return the harness to the stock location on the junction box, this returned function to the rear window and also the air bag light went out - I assumed I had tripped a code for the air bag when I was unhooking everything under the dash in an attempt to figuring out the DRL.

So now I'm back to no DRLs. :sobbing:

gosh man thats gotta be stressin you out! sorry on the delay on the pics im not sure exactly what you meant by the junction box but im assuming you meant the DRL module? so sorry if this is the wrong thing but here's a few pics underneath

Thanks bud, I'm not stressed about it.. I just have a strong desire to know how it works and why it isn't working. But really its not a big deal.

Update 3.0:

I also noticed there is no headlight reminder (buzzer or chime), when you turn the key off and open the door... maybe the 4runners don't have this?

This being my first 4runner I'm not sure what is supposed to be there and what isn't. If only there was another 4runner around here I could compare.

BOSSIND said:

If only there was another 4runner around here I could compare.

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Where are you located? Maybe there is...

IanB said:

Where are you located? Maybe there is...

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New Brunswick Canada

BOSSIND said:

Update 3.0:

I also noticed there is no headlight reminder (buzzer or chime), when you turn the key off and open the door... maybe the 4runners don't have this?

This being my first 4runner I'm not sure what is supposed to be there and what isn't. If only there was another 4runner around here I could compare.

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Hey, welcome, I'm in Fredericton, there are a few others from the Maritimes on here too.

I have no headlight buzzer on my 2000 because the 2000 has an auto shut off for the headlights. I turn off the car, and open the door, the lights turn off automatically.

My '98 has the headlight buzz and no auto turn off feature.

Update 4:0

After finding an online wire diagram I've been able to do some testing. And its down to this, the yellow and black wire isn't getting power from the key. So its disconnect somewhere, now to find it.

ironhippy said:

Hey, welcome, I'm in Fredericton, there are a few others from the Maritimes on here too.

I have no headlight buzzer on my 2000 because the 2000 has an auto shut off for the headlights. I turn off the car, and open the door, the lights turn off automatically.

My '98 has the headlight buzz and no auto turn off feature.

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Cool, we'll have to hook up for coffee sometime, I'm in Oromocto.

nice, check out NB Offroad Club if you're interested in travelling offroad.

Don't pay the membership fee though, that will hopefully be overhauled soon.

ironhippy said:

nice, check out NB Offroad Club if you're interested in travelling offroad.

Don't pay the membership fee though, that will hopefully be overhauled soon.

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Already belong, and have been a member for years.

BOSSIND said:

Update 4:0

After finding an online wire diagram I've been able to do some testing. And its down to this, the yellow and black wire isn't getting power from the key. So its disconnect somewhere, now to find it.

Click to expand...

My mistake, there is power on the yellow and black, all things are leading to a bad module, any one have one for sale?

Went to the junk yard to day, checked every toyota and found a relay from an echo that works. The part numbers are different but it was the only one that would plug in - and I have DRLS! Not sure what the difference is between modules. It was #82842-52910