Hey everybody, I recently purchased a used 1998 4 Runner limited last week and I am loving it! I've been searching for one and lurking around here for quite awhile soaking up everything I can. However, I would like to disable my DRL's but nothing works. I have searched here, Yotatech and various other sites to no avail. My T4r was assembled in Canada, I have no drl module under the dash, and if I unplug the gray box found behind the battery I lose all headlight function, not just drls. Any constructive ideas? And please, if you are a drl advocate keep your opinions to yourself. Remember this is simply personal preference. I am searching for solutions, not drl propaganda. Thank you in advance!
Tricky DRL disable and new owner
- Thread starter Crywolf
- Start date
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techno
New member
4Runners were never assembled in Canada, they all came from one of two plants in Japan. What makes you think yours was assembled there?
As a place to start trouble shooting, you say you don't have a DRL module, are you certain that you actually have DRL's and not some kind of headlight malfunction? DRL's are meant to be at about 80% brightness. Can you confirm that the headlights become brighter when you turn them on?
As a place to start trouble shooting, you say you don't have a DRL module, are you certain that you actually have DRL's and not some kind of headlight malfunction? DRL's are meant to be at about 80% brightness. Can you confirm that the headlights become brighter when you turn them on?
I'll dig around and find the Canadian thread again. Basically, the truck is to old to have drls but it was imported to Canada originally where they were added on. The factory sticker on the inside driver door is stamped with the maple leaf. They are factory Toyota drls. However; when I turn the headlights on, they do not become any brighter, in fact they are quite dim.
I should specify, I do have a drl module under the hood next to the battery but not under the dash as the 01-02 models do. When I unplug the drl module under the hood I lose my headlights as well as the drls. However, if the headlights do not get any brighter when I turn the switch for the headlights to on, it is possible I am running on only drls and no headlights. Possibly a bad relay? All of my fuses are good. My brights work too though, and I conducted a quick experiment in the parking lot. I engaged the parking brake so as to disable the drls, which it did. I then turned on the headlights and they did in fact come one. If my headlight relay was shot though, shouldn't the headlights not illuminate? I know, it's confusing but now that I can't figure it out I MUST know the problem! I'm sure you've all been there haha
I will double check in the morning, but I think I may have that module. I looked once and didn't see it but it was dark. EDIT: I rechecked the sticky on Yotatech for disabling lights, the module they show in the thread doesn't look anything like the module under my dash so that may have threw me, I'll double check tomorrow. Even if that works, that still doesn't account for my headlights not reaching full power when I turn them on. grrr
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Rock Slide
Senior Member
On US spec '01-'02 4Runners, the drl module is under the dash. On US spec '00 4Runners, the drl module is next to the battery in the engine bay.
CDN spec 4Runners seem to operate their drls differently. I know you guys have been running drls much longer than US spec 4Runners have. Heck, even 2nd gen 4Runners have drls in Canada.
With that said, I don't know how you can disable the drls on your CDN spec 4Runner...I have seen other guys run into the same issue as you. For example: Still need DRL plug location on 99 runner - YotaTech Forums. I'm sure there is a way to do it...I just don't know how. Let us know if you find out.
CDN spec 4Runners seem to operate their drls differently. I know you guys have been running drls much longer than US spec 4Runners have. Heck, even 2nd gen 4Runners have drls in Canada.
With that said, I don't know how you can disable the drls on your CDN spec 4Runner...I have seen other guys run into the same issue as you. For example: Still need DRL plug location on 99 runner - YotaTech Forums. I'm sure there is a way to do it...I just don't know how. Let us know if you find out.
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techno
New member
I have the module (as pictured above) and the relay plug thing near the battery....
theizzardking
New member
subscribed, and watching, 1999 Canadian spec 4runner here.
Rock Slide
Senior Member
Correct. I was referring to where one must disable drls on a given year.
To disable drls on '00 US spec 4Runners, one can simply unplug the drl module in the engine bay. However, the only way to disable drls on '01 - '02 US Spec 4Runners, one must cut the black/yellow wire (Pin 12) at the drl module under the dash.
Rock Slide
Senior Member
Hey nice work. Glad to know cutting the blk/yel wire under the dash on CDN spec 4Runners (pre '01 models) solves the problem.
Interesting how the US spec and CDN spec 4Runners operate drls so differently.
Interesting how the US spec and CDN spec 4Runners operate drls so differently.
zcruiser
Senior Member
I snipped the black wire w. yellow stripe off the DRL module under the dash of my '00 Ltd. It was on Pin #2. Worked like a charm.
