Shorter front turn signal bulb life with the DRL conversion

[jeober]

I did the flasher module conversion sometime ago from non- to DRL. Today I have a burned out bulb. I remember people speculating why DRL equipped use a different bulb (4157 I believe) than the non-DRL equipped. Rando guessed it right -- bulb life.

The amber glass wedge base bulb is Toyota PN 90981-15011 lists at $6.57 and my net was $5.14. I bought two.

 

[swooopeno]

Just happened to me too. And if you have the non-DRL bulb socket, you need a 21W single filament bulb. Forget about getting it aftermarket... not one of the autoparts stores carry it (at least in my area they don't). They do, however, carry the DRL bulb (dual filament). Dealer doesn't even have it in stock. Has anyone found a decent place to buy these online? Partznet has them... but with shipping.. it kills the deal. I guess I'll just have to special order from dealer.

Oh.. and FYI:

For anyone who is not aware of the relationship between a bulb burning out and your signal blinking twice as fast... there is one. So if all of a sudden, you activate your blinker and it blinks twice as fast as usual, you likely have a bad bulb. It took me a couple minutes to realize this...

 

[sharp4runr]

How long before it burnt out? I did mine maybe 6 months ago and knock on wood it is still going. I haven't been driving the truck as much as before though so maybe that is helping. I guess I'll know when it gets colder and the bike goes into storage...

 

[swooopeno]

I'd say it was close to a year.. maybe a little less. I will say, however, that it burned out while I was traveling in the thickest fog I've ever driven in before (in the hills outside san diego). I would guess the moisture may have had something to do with it???

The dual filament DRL bulbs are only 8watts for the DRL.. and something like 25W for the actual turn signal light. We are running 21W all the time... so it obviously generates much more heat over time... and cuts the bulb life.

 

[ptung07]

I'd say it was close to a year.. maybe a little less. I will say, however, that it burned out while I was traveling in the thickest fog I've ever driven in before (in the hills outside san diego). I would guess the moisture may have had something to do with it???

The dual filament DRL bulbs are only 8watts for the DRL.. and something like 25W for the actual turn signal light. We are running 21W all the time... so it obviously generates much more heat over time... and cuts the bulb life.

Sorry for bringing up a old post.
I too did the DRL mod and wanted to use the dual filament bulbs so it will last longer. However, the DRL bulbs will NOT fit the current socket because it was meant for the non-drl bulb turn signals.
However, looking at the service manual, if we were to switch the bulb socket for the DRL one, will it work? Does the DRL one have an additional wire or something special that toyota used different sockets?
Look at the picture below:
Replace #3, Socket, Bulb
w/o DRL TO THE w/DRL socket? then we can use the regular DRL dual filament bulbs.....
Any ideas??

 

[Even Steven]

My 2004 came with DRLs from the factory, and they're still going strong after nearly 4 years. I guess there is something to the dual filament bulb used in the DRLs.

So you guys are saying that it's hard to find a replacement bulb for the DRLs? I'd hate to pay dealership prices when one of mine eventually goes out.

 

[Even Steven]

Hold on a second... I just thought of something-- Do the DRLs even use a dual filament bulb? Why would they? My OEM DRLs are on at all times when the engine is running. They double as front turn signals also, but not by varying brightness. They simply flash on and off to act as a turn signal. So why would I have dual filament bulbs in my DRLs?

 

[ptung07]

Hold on a second... I just thought of something-- Do the DRLs even use a dual filament bulb? Why would they? My OEM DRLs are on at all times when the engine is running. They double as front turn signals also, but not by varying brightness. They simply flash on and off to act as a turn signal. So why would I have dual filament bulbs in my DRLs?

To clarify:
For the people who did the DRL mod (for those who did NOT have DRl from factory) uses the regular turn signal bulbs as their DRL. So it constantly runs the bulb as the DRL.

The people who have DRL from factory have a dual filament bulb so when it uses the DRL, it uses the lower running wattage, and when you have the flasher activated, it uses the higher wattage. Thus, a longer lasting bulb. (one filament for DRL, one filament for turns)

The problem:
Those who did the mod are not able to fit the DRL bulb into the socket of the originally non-DRL bulb socket.

The question:
Will changing the socket using the above part number from the picture enable us to use the dual filament bulbs like the DRL factory equipped models use? Or does the factory equipped models have a totally different wiring harness that has one additional wire to support the dual filaments?

Thanks everyone!

 

[Even Steven]

To clarify:

The people who have DRL from factory have a dual filament bulb so when it uses the DRL, it uses the lower running wattage, and when you have the flasher activated, it uses the higher wattage. Thus, a longer lasting bulb. (one filament for DRL, one filament for turns)

I don't think that's correct. MY factory-installed DRLs don't seem any brighter or dimmer than the turn signals. In other words, if my DRLs are illuminated and I have the left turn signal activated, the "flashing" bulb on the left is the same brightness as the illuminated DRL on the right side. Therefore, I don't think there are a low & high wattage filament in the factory installed DRL bulbs.

 

[ptung07]

I don't think that's correct. MY factory-installed DRLs don't seem any brighter or dimmer than the turn signals. In other words, if my DRLs are illuminated and I have the left turn signal activated, the "flashing" bulb on the left is the same brightness as the illuminated DRL on the right side. Therefore, I don't think there are a low & high wattage filament in the factory installed DRL bulbs.

Hmm, I will check, maybe someone can chime in.
but,

swooopeno I'd say it was close to a year.. maybe a little less. I will say, however, that it burned out while I was traveling in the thickest fog I've ever driven in before (in the hills outside san diego). I would guess the moisture may have had something to do with it???

The dual filament DRL bulbs are only 8watts for the DRL.. and something like 25W for the actual turn signal light. We are running 21W all the time... so it obviously generates much more heat over time... and cuts the bulb life.

That made sense to me. Which explained why those users who did the DRL mod had their directional signals bulbs go out faster. But, Im always open to corrections...

 

[Even Steven]

If I have time, I'll pull out the bulb socket and see exactly how it works on my (factory installed) DRLs. Now you guys got me curious...

 

[sharp4runr]

Just want to update since this thread got posted on, I'm still on the original bulb that came with the truck even after going with the DRL conversion.

 

[ptung07]

Yeah, my front passenger right directional bulb just burned out. It was replaced about 1 year ago. (Sylvania brand) I guess I am going to undo the DRL mod because I do not want to keep replacing these bulbs!! ahhh
Until a new solution is found.

 

[amg_w211]

Thinking about doing the DRL mod for better visibility to other cars.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/engin...-accessories/2378-daytime-running-lights.html

As the factory DRL equipped 4Runners use dual-filament bulbs (4157NA; 8W/25W) vs factory non-DRL cars using a single filament bulb (7440A; 21W), has anyone with the DRL add-on mod (via Toyota flasher P/N 81980-35020) had any luck with good bulb life? Or is there a long-life LED alternative to use (since the bulb is on full time)?

This looks to be a decent LED option:

http://store.ijdmtoy.com/7440-Single-Filament-Error-Free-LED-Bulbs-p/error-free-7440-2n.htm

I'd like better visibility, but I don't want to have to replace my bulbs yearly. Your thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[amg_w211]

Bump on this.

Any body with input on changing out the stock 7440A turn signal bulb (2003-2005, non-DRL 4Runner) to a bright LED bulb?

Looking for a quality, bright LED bulb replacement before I go with the DRL conversion. Your thoughts would be appreciated.