Daytime Running Lights

[sharp4runr]

Does anybody have the Daytime Running Lights(DRL) on thier rigs?

I was wondering if anyone knew other than the dealer, where you could find the kit for Daytime Running Lights? I want to add them to mine, because I think my insuarance company will give me a discount.

EDIT: So you don't have to read the entire thread, you can have DRLs by swapping out the proper relay. The part number for DRL flasher relay (81980-35020), the Non DRL Flasher Relay is (81980-5003D) Instructions for swapping the relay are at Yotatech (http://www.yotatech.com/showthread.php?p=391085#post391085)



Originally Posted by Yosmany @YOTATECH
The relay it's self had a small clip in it. It slides into a holding clip behind the fuse juction box.

1) remove lower steering panel by removing two 10mm screws at the bottom of the panel on either side of the hood release. Unplug any/all connectors on left side of panel so the panel can rest down on the floor. No need to remove connector on right side of panel.

2) Remove metal shield behind the lower steering panel (two 10mm screws on either side of steering column).

3) Unplug all the fuses and relay that have wires attached to them as this will allow you to freely move the fuse box. (all plugs have "tab releases" on them, so make sure you push the tabs and don't force them).

4) Unscrew the fuse/junctionbox. (one 10mm screw and two 10mm nuts).

5) Turn the J/B towards you. There you will see a beige relay about 1.5" wide. That's the non DRL relay. Use a sharp pointed tool, like an awl, and push it under the relay from the left side to release the tab, then slide it out, it's tricky.

** The NON-DRL relay is smaller then the DRL relay. You will see the the lighting wires connect to a small wire harness, and that wire harness connects to the NON-DRL relay that is clipped on. you must remove the relay and the small harness.

6) Connect slide the new, bigger (2.5"), Black, DRL relay into the wiring harness and then onto the same clip the NON-DRL relay was on. Plug the connector in to the relay without the wire harness adapter. (You don't need it anymore)

7) Reverse for assembly


Thanks for everyone who worked on getting this info

Here is a picture of the DRL Relay (black) and the Non DRL Relay with the wiring harness you have to remove(beige)

<IMG SRC="http://toyota-4runner.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=132775">

 

[momo.75]

I have asked my dealer and they didn't know. One guy in the parts dept. said that another guy had ordered something from Canada to make his work.

 

[jharris2]

Check with the dealer -- it may just be a computer setting, and that they charge a small amount for it. Here's a thread with more information

 

[nathannookie]

I have them, and wondered why they only cost an extra $40.

They just keep the front turn signal lamps on at full brighness, and then flash one of them when in turn signal mode.

My guess, it's a computer setting,,,,,just like everything else is.

 

[rando]

According to partznet, the DRL system includes a different flasher relay ($31.65 at partznet). According to the shop manul there is also a light sensor mounted at the top of the dash ($105.55 at partznet also used for the auto on/off head lamps). It's unclear if a non DRL equipped system has the programming in the ECU to support DRL and/or if the harness connector for the sensor is in the dash.

Based on my recent experience inside the driver's side dash, I'd say there's a good chance the connector is there. All of the connectors for the (unused on my sr5) dash switches were sitting in there. So my guess is if you add these components, you can get DRL and auto on/off head lamps. Of course to get the headlamp thing to work , you'd also need to upgrade the dimmer switch assy ($88.08 at partznet) or add your own switch ($1 at radio shack) to short pins 16 and 12 on the associated 17 pin connector (this would be easy to do).

So it could be $130 to add DRL (or less if the sensor is already there) and then the cost of a switch and some splice connectors to add auto on/off headlights. I may have to add this to my future mod list.

UPDATE: You don't need the sensor for DRLs. Just the flasher.

 

[sharp4runr]

Why do you need auto on/off? I just leave mine on all the time

they turn off automatically after 30 seconds or if you hit the lock button on your remote twice it shuts off the lights...

I would like the DRL though because I think you might get an insuarance discount.

 

[snowjay]

The DRL's are off if your headlights are on.

 

[rando]

I don't like driving around with my headlights on during the day. Not to mentioned the shortened bulb life that might produce. I'm aware of the auto-off feature. I had mine reprogrammed to shut-off immediately upon opening the driver's door instead of 30 seconds later.

My only point was that if you have/get DRL, you pretty much have everything you need for auto-on headlights too. You're just missing the upgraded dimmer switch at that point. I just finished opening up my dash to see if the Automatic Light Control Sensor was actually in the car (I couldn't tell if the little pastic cap on top of the dash was just a finish plug or the actual sensor). Of course, it wasn't there. All the wiring is there up to a junction box just to the top right of the instrument panel. There is a 5 pin plug there with only 2 pins in use for the A/C Solar Sensor. So to put in the light sensor, you'd pop it into the dash and then hook it up to the j/b. To enable DRL you'd pull the standar flasher relay and replace it with the DRL variant. If you want to upgrade the dimmer switch, it's a bit more challenging. You'd have to remove the steering wheel so that you can get to the screws that hold the steering column cover in place. Once you get there, two screws free the dimmer assembly and you're on your way.

As far as DRL themselves, I could care less and I will not get an Insurance break. In your case, where you leave the main headlights on all the time, maybe you can convince your carrier to give you whatever DRL discount they offer. It's like you have 'super' DRLs.

UPDATE: You don't need to remove the steering wheel to replace the dimmer switch. You can get at all the screws by simply turning the wheel.

 

[Toyota4Me]

<<I don't like driving around with my headlights on during the day. Not to mentioned the shortened bulb life that might produce. I'm aware of the auto-off feature. I had mine reprogrammed to shut-off immediately upon opening the driver's door instead of 30 seconds later.>>


Rando,

Is this something you can do by yourself or it needs to be done by dealer? If by dealer, Do they charge you for the reprograming?

I'd like it to be reprogrammed to 5 seconds after if possible. 30 is too long.

 

[Mark86]

I don't like driving around with my headlights on during the day. Not to mentioned the shortened bulb life that might produce. I'm aware of the auto-off feature. I had mine reprogrammed to shut-off immediately upon opening the driver's door instead of 30 seconds later.

My only point was that if you have/get DRL, you pretty much have everything you need for auto-on headlights too. You're just missing the upgraded dimmer switch at that point. I just finished opening up my dash to see if the Automatic Light Control Sensor was actually in the car (I couldn't tell if the little pastic cap on top of the dash was just a finish plug or the actual sensor). Of course, it wasn't there. All the wiring is there up to a junction box just to the top right of the instrument panel. There is a 5 pin plug there with only 2 pins in use for the A/C Solar Sensor. So to put in the light sensor, you'd pop it into the dash and then hook it up to the j/b. To enable DRL you'd pull the standar flasher relay and replace it with the DRL variant. If you want to upgrade the dimmer switch, it's a bit more challenging. You'd have to remove the steering wheel so that you can get to the screws that hold the steering column cover in place. Once you get there, two screws free the dimmer assembly and you're on your way.

As far as DRL themselves, I could care less and I will not get an Insurance break. In your case, where you leave the main headlights on all the time, maybe you can convince your carrier to give you whatever DRL discount they offer. It's like you have 'super' DRLs.

Rando, you seem to be very familiar with what is under the dash. Do you think it would be easy to add the automatic headlights by yourself or does the dealer have to do it? Is there anything Toyota offers to make this option available? From what I have heard from the parts department, the only model that could have automatic headlights is the Limited's. They told me it is not available on the SR5 or Sports at all!

 

[toybox]

Look this subject up on yotatech. It is being discussed in the 4th gen DAC plug thread.

Seems that there is a good chance that you would be able to add auto headlights for about $150 (just 2 parts, a sensor and the new light stalk) But it has not been worked out yet so stay tuned.

 

[rando]

<<I don't like driving around with my headlights on during the day. Not to mentioned the shortened bulb life that might produce. I'm aware of the auto-off feature. I had mine reprogrammed to shut-off immediately upon opening the driver's door instead of 30 seconds later.>>


Rando,

Is this something you can do by yourself or it needs to be done by dealer? If by dealer, Do they charge you for the reprograming?

I'd like it to be reprogrammed to 5 seconds after if possible. 30 is too long.

You need a dealer or someone with the OEM scanner to do it. You cannot get 5 seconds. The only options are 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 seconds. I wanted 10 but settled for 0.

 

[rando]

Rando, you seem to be very familiar with what is under the dash. Do you think it would be easy to add the automatic headlights by yourself or does the dealer have to do it? Is there anything Toyota offers to make this option available? From what I have heard from the parts department, the only model that could have automatic headlights is the Limited's. They told me it is not available on the SR5 or Sports at all!

They are right and maybe also wrong. The feature was not available from the factory on anything but the Limited. That doesn't mean you cannot enable it.

Based on what I've observed under my dash (and consistent with the shop manuals), there are only the 2 parts missing (see my post above, I even included the prices for the needed parts at Partznet). What I cannot say is if the required programming to support the auto/on feature is actually in the ECU or not. If only the shop manuals provided a little more detail regarding the output signal level of the light sensor, I could then test this feature without the 2 parts. I'm almost willing to take a guess at this but I really don't want to fry my ECU. I'm also not too eager to spend the $195 to find out that it doesn't work.


I hadn't seen the discussion on yotatech regarding this subject but I'm headed there to take a peak now.

 

[Mark86]

Rando, thanks for all this information. Please keep us updated on what you find out about this!

 

[rando]

OK, I updated those guys with my comments too.

 

[Mark86]

Rando, thanks for all this information. Please keep us updated on what you find out about this!

 

[rando]

Maybe someone with the DRLs (but without auto/on headlights) can test this for the rest of us. Just short pins 16 and 12 on the dimmer harness with the headlight switch in the off position. This is exactly what the AUTO position on the dimmer switch does. Then cover up the sensor and see if your lights come on (this could take a few moments). If nothing happens, then there is some programming missing or disabled in the body ECU (unlikely).

 

[rando]

BTW, I believe this is the correct sensor.

And this is the correct dimmer switch (for 2004 or 03 w/ foglights).

 

[aj884runner]

Electrical Plugs

Just thought I`d mention this.
Most car manufactures put all the plugs in there vehicles during assembly regardless of what options there is eg. foglights, power windows, daytime running lights. Companies do this to reduce the cost of manufacturing by having one wiring harness instead of a wack of different ones. So if you want something like foglights you just need to buy the switches, relays and lights, and then plug them in. VOILA!
Living in Canada we have DRL as a Federal law on all new vehicles built from 1990 on. Vehicles Imported from the US need DRL`s if built after 1989 and its usaully a matter of plugging in a cheap module.

 

[rando]

I agree and that appears to be the case with the 4runner. The only caveat is that some parts require there own harness.

Example:

1) The wiring for the autodimming mirror isn't in the truck because that harness is used exclusively for the mirror. Leaving it out doesn't require Toyota to make a different harness. They just omit it completely.

2) Wiring for the light sensor isn't in the truck. Instead there is a junction block (fancy name for a connector) where the solar sensor and light sensor connect. For non Limited and non DRL models, only a 2 wire harness connecting the solar sensor to the j/b is in the truck.

And for what it's worth, the assumption is not strictly true. I've seen cars that DO have different harnesses based on trim levels. In those cases perhaps the harnesses had uses in other platforms that justified their existence in the manufacturers parts bin.