Intermittent Turn Signal/DRL Problem with Dual Front Signals

[gaterose]

So I looked quickly and didn't find an answer and thought I'd post a thread.

So I have the factory '03 turns/DRLs in my bumper as well as the '06 headlight housings that have the turn signal built in, so I have 4 DRLs/Signals up front. I have the '06 signals just spliced into the '03 wiring stuff since they both use the same 3 wires/colors.

Occasionally the '06 signal alone or the '06 signal and the '03 signal on one side will go out. Sometimes it will blink, sometimes it will last a couple of days, and sometimes they all light up again if I use my signal. No matter which version of the problem I'm experiencing, at least one light works at all times when I flip the blinker on. So I'm not driving around with no signals, just no DRL on one side at times.

At least two other members have told me that they have/had essentially the same problem after getting SW bumpers with signals built in for their '06+.

Does anyone know what, if anything, I can do to keep the lights on rather than this intermittent DRL function?

 

[KingPrat]

Honestly, sounds like a electrical draw issue. Did you upgrade the relay/fuse when you spliced in? Or just a wire splice and off we go?

 

[zopperman]

Honestly, sounds like a electrical draw issue. Did you upgrade the relay/fuse when you spliced in? Or just a wire splice and off we go?

This. I'd wire each light through its own fuse/relay (each set of lights)

 

[gaterose]

Honestly, sounds like a electrical draw issue. Did you upgrade the relay/fuse when you spliced in? Or just a wire splice and off we go?

No you're right, I just spliced and went. I've bought trailer wiring kits in the past that involved doing the same thing to splice in a 4 prong trailer harness (on older vehicles) so I thought it would be ok to do it the same way up front.

Is it okay to connect a relay to a flasher like that? I was told that it was bad for relays to be flashed (thus why the flasher is connected after the relay in the OEM setup.... right?) so I didn't wire it that way.

I suppose I'll try that but in the past I ran this setup with LED bulbs and got the same problems although the 2 LEDs pulled much less than a single 30W 1157.

 

[zopperman]

No you're right, I just spliced and went. I've bought trailer wiring kits in the past that involved doing the same thing to splice in a 4 prong trailer harness (on older vehicles) so I thought it would be ok to do it the same way up front.

Is it okay to connect a relay to a flasher like that? I was told that it was bad for relays to be flashed (thus why the flasher is connected after the relay in the OEM setup.... right?) so I didn't wire it that way.

I suppose I'll try that but in the past I ran this setup with LED bulbs and got the same problems although the 2 LEDs pulled much less than a single 30W 1157.

you could try using an LED relay? Aren;t those meant to be flashed?

 

[A/V1]

Don't know if you are still having issues with this or not, but I would simply go with relays for the added lights only.

Relays draw minimal current, and can be "flashed". After all, our flasher units have 4 relays in them (I assume one per corner). It also says on the case "27 watts - 4 bulbs".

DRL flasher unit internals

The outer case


As for installing a fuse in line for the new bulbs / relays, you can if you want for safety sake, but it's really not necessary. I only say that because the lights are already protected by fuses. It would be overkill.
However, if you do decide to install new fuses, make sure they are lower amperage than the system fuses so only that fuse can do it's job. ie, I don't remember what the rating is on the exterior lamps fuse, but it's probably 7-1/2 or 15 amps. If it's 7-1/2, go with a 2 amp or 5 amp. if the system is 15, go with the 7-1/2.

You will still have the added protection of the new fuse, and it won't take down the whole system if it shorts, etc.

 

[gshadow325]

uhh, OP did you ever consider your cut and splice was a bad connection?

Did you cut, splice, SOLDER and then wrap it with QUALITY tape?

I would look there first

 

[A/V1]

uhh, OP did you ever consider your cut and splice was a bad connection?

Did you cut, splice, SOLDER and then wrap it with QUALITY tape?

I would look there first

That's a very good point... :iagree:

I like to use heat shrink instead of tape though. But if you use tape, don't use the cheap crap or you will have an unraveling gooey mess.

 

[Krayziekid]

So I looked quickly and didn't find an answer and thought I'd post a thread.

So I have the factory '03 turns/DRLs in my bumper as well as the '06 headlight housings that have the turn signal built in, so I have 4 DRLs/Signals up front. I have the '06 signals just spliced into the '03 wiring stuff since they both use the same 3 wires/colors.

Occasionally the '06 signal alone or the '06 signal and the '03 signal on one side will go out. Sometimes it will blink, sometimes it will last a couple of days, and sometimes they all light up again if I use my signal. No matter which version of the problem I'm experiencing, at least one light works at all times when I flip the blinker on. So I'm not driving around with no signals, just no DRL on one side at times.

At least two other members have told me that they have/had essentially the same problem after getting SW bumpers with signals built in for their '06+.

Does anyone know what, if anything, I can do to keep the lights on rather than this intermittent DRL function?

Hey man, did you ever figure this issue out. I just did the 06+ headlight swap and I am having the same problem. My DRLs will sometimes just turn off, but I can get them to come back on if I use my turn signal. Not a huge problem but a bit of an annoyance. Any advice?

 

[gaterose]

Not really, I hooked up a relay system because I thought it was too much load on the flasher but that didn't help and I eventually removed the relays and extra wiring because I got tired of hearing the relays clicking.

I did replace the wiring with some new wire and made sure the connections were solid. I don't have the problem anymore but I also have LEDs in the bumper so that may help.

 

[Krayziekid]

Not really, I hooked up a relay system because I thought it was too much load on the flasher but that didn't help and I eventually removed the relays and extra wiring because I got tired of hearing the relays clicking.

I did replace the wiring with some new wire and made sure the connections were solid. I don't have the problem anymore but I also have LEDs in the bumper so that may help.

So I guess I should just double and triple check my connections and if that doesn't work, live with it. It isn't too much of a hassle, as they will always come back on with the turn signals, but it is a visual annoyance.

What do you mean you have LEDs in the bumper? Do you mean you replaced the both 03 and 06 turn signals with LEDs? And that solved the problem? Does it hyperflash?

 

[gaterose]

So I guess I should just double and triple check my connections and if that doesn't work, live with it. It isn't too much of a hassle, as they will always come back on with the turn signals, but it is a visual annoyance.

What do you mean you have LEDs in the bumper? Do you mean you replaced the both 03 and 06 turn signals with LEDs? And that solved the problem? Does it hyperflash?

No, I have an aftermarket bumper with LEDs instead of the OEM lights now. BUT I do remember using an LED bulb and it remedying the problem somewhat, but the bumper lights weren't as bright with LEDs. No hyperflash because you still have the halogens.

 

[Krayziekid]

No, I have an aftermarket bumper with LEDs instead of the OEM lights now. BUT I do remember using an LED bulb and it remedying the problem somewhat, but the bumper lights weren't as bright with LEDs. No hyperflash because you still have the halogens.

So I am like 95 percent sure that I figured out what the problem is. I was using the stock bulb with a super bright 26W standard 1156 bulb up top. I know for a fact that the DRL flasher is only rated for 4 bulbs @ 27 or something watts each. So having 4 bulbs up front, plus 2 bulbs in the rear is probably pulling too much current for the flasher/relay, causing it to overheat or overload, and shut itself down.

The reason you no longer experienced this problem is because you probably swapped to more energy efficient LED bulbs that BOTH pulled similar wattages to the single standard bulb.

I don't have the bulbs right now, but I am thinking I am going to test this theory in the near future when I can get my hands on some.

Does this sound like a viable theory to you, or am I just crazy?