using fog lights as daytime running lights

[wasc007]

at work, I parked in a high rise garage, so I like to have the lights when I enter the parking structure. But I don't have daytime running lights on my 2006 SR5. Then it dawned on me, why not simply modified the power to the fog light relay so it can be used as DRL?

It's actually pretty simple. I had only two basic requirements:

1. Turn on the fog lights without needing to turn on the headlights.

2. Turn off the fog lights when the ignition key is turned off so I don't forget and drain my battery.

Turned out all I had to do was to bend the 12V pin on the fog light relay in the fuse box and jumper it to a 12V ignition switched source (also inside the fuse box).

Now my foglights is also my DRL.

NOTE - added Nov-30-2006 - after using this mod for a while, I discovered that this mod disables the headlight auto off timing circuit. It's pretty simple because the system no longer knows your headlight is on since it was bypassed by bending the pin and feeding it to the ignition switch. So if having the headlights automatically turned off is important to you, do not use this mod.

I do find the fog lights much better than headlights in a parking structure, as sufficient lights are provided for illumination but no blinding for incoming drivers.

 

[ironadrenaline]

which source did you wire it to. can we get a picture? i ask because i want the same as you

 

[AlphaQup]

Can you do a nice detailed write up on this DIY project. I'm sure alot of us 06 owners are interested just as I am. And I'm also sure it can easily become a sticky . Either drawings or pics would be great as well. I do hope you concider it because I hate having to turn on my headlights just to get to the fogs :bonk:

 

[Koz]

You could also add the DRLs by just swapping a relay, I think. Do a search.

Koz

 

[pickerdd]

I'd like to see this too.

It would also be great if we knew how to turn on the DRL on 2006 4Runner Limited's. I know there is another thread on the forum about this, but we haven't seen any definitive answers on the subject since there is a question on whether the 2006 Limited has the relay already in place and if a specific code has to be entered by the dealer to turn on the DRLs. I called my dealer last week and asked if there was a way to turn them on and the service manager asked the head mechanic and he didn't know. :awais:

 

[sharp4runr]

I'd like to see this too.

It would also be great if we knew how to turn on the DRL on 2006 4Runner Limited's. I know there is another thread on the forum about this, but we haven't seen any definitive answers on the subject since there is a question on whether the 2006 Limited has the relay already in place and if a specific code has to be entered by the dealer to turn on the DRLs. I called my dealer last week and asked if there was a way to turn them on and the service manager asked the head mechanic and he didn't know. :awais:

Have you checked to see if there is the correct relay in place? It only takes a few minutes to get to the relay.

If the relay is there, it should be the same procedure to turn off/on the DRLs as past models. Toyota will need to hook up the scan tool to change the setting.

 

[pickerdd]

Doh! No I haven't, but I'll do that tonight when I get home from work. Thanks for the suggestion. Should have done that in the first place.

 

[Koz]

http://www.yotatech.com/showthread.php?p=391085#post391085

Koz

 

[charlier180]

Turned out all I had to do was to bend the 12V pin on the fog light relay in the fuse box and jumper it to a 12V ignition switched source (also inside the fuse box).

Now my foglights is also my DRL.

Nice mod.

BTW, do the foglights stay on when you activate your high beams? If so and if you live in certain states this mod may be a PITA when it comes to your state's annual safety inspection.

Some states prohibit the use of fog lights along with high beams.
When it comes inspection time the vehicle fails inspection or you have to un-do the mod or you have to pay the inspecting station to correct the "problem".

A couple of my other vehicles have the fog lights wired so they are DRLs. I have real lousy luck because every year at inspection time it seems that my fog lights do not work for some reason.

 

[wasc007]

I didn't realize there were that much interests otherwise I would have taken pics every step of the way.

But just for you guys, I will retrace all the steps and post the pics when I get home tonight.

It will be posted later.

 

[cdoyle]

Ya this is a great mod, I can't remember who wrote it, but see my sig for the write up.

 

[Cleric]

Yes, this works, there are actually a couple of threads about this. Here's a pic of my fusebox on my 2003. I chose to have it wired in with the parking lights, but you could use any 12v source you want...

 

[sharp4runr]

Re: Re: using fog lights as daytime running lights

Nice mod.

BTW, do the foglights stay on when you activate your high beams? If so and if you live in certain states this mod may be a PITA when it comes to your state's annual safety inspection.

Some states prohibit the use of fog lights along with high beams.
When it comes inspection time the vehicle fails inspection or you have to un-do the mod or you have to pay the inspecting station to correct the "problem".

A couple of my other vehicles have the fog lights wired so they are DRLs. I have real lousy luck because every year at inspection time it seems that my fog lights do not work for some reason.

yeah it is the same in VA. The law states that you can only have 4 lights (headlight, fog light etc) illuminated at one point. On the 4Runner when you have the low beam and fog lights, that is considered 4 lights. When you turn on the highbeam, the fog lights go off so it is still considered 4 lights (2 highbeam & 2 lowbeam). Your mod keeps the fog lights on when the highbeam is on so that has 6 lights on your vehicle at the same time.

Your laws may vary, so check it out.

 

[wasc007]

First a disclaimer ***** these steps are based on 1 test trial on a 2006 SR5 model, read these at your own risks *****

OK here are the steps:

1. Remove the key from ignition and turn off the headlights.
2. Find the front fog lamps relay. It's the small blue one on the right in the picture next to the big blue monster heater relay.
3. Note the orientation of the fog lamps relay
4. Remove the fog lamps relay. The relay is well inserted so you need to use a lot of pulling force. I used a needle nose with plastic jaws.
5. Turned on the head lights and turn on the fog light switch - If you removed the correct relay, the fog lights will not be on when you turned on the fog lamps switch.
6. Turned off the head lights
7. Turned off the fog lamps switch
*important* You don't want the relay to be energized when you are inserting wires. Make sure all the switches are turned off prior to proceeding to step 8.

8. Make the short jumper cable using 1 female and 1 male tabs, I used 3M nylon fully insulated female tab .250 width. This is a little wider than the relay pin but it worked fine. However, the male end needs to be the same width as the relay pin to fit in the socket properly.

9. Insert the female end into pin 1 of the fog lamp relay. Pin 1 is the silver color pin that is to your upper right if you are holding the relay with the pins facing you.
10. Carefully bend the pin using the female plug, it needs to go all the way up to clear the big heater relay next to it.
11. Test the connection by pulling the female plug from the relay pin to ensure there is a secured fit, if there is not enough contact between the relay pin and the femaile plug, I suggest you solder the female plug to the relay to ensure good contact.
12. locate the AC 115 Inverter relay socket. This is the one I used since I don't have the 115V option. But you can use any ignition key controlled 12V output as long as you measure with a volt meter first.
13. Insert the male end pf the jumper cable into pin 1 (upper left) the socket and make sure it is securely snugged. I checked the output with a volt-meter so I know I am on the right pin. If you are not sure, check with a volt meter first. Since your key is not in the ignition for safety, if you are checking with a volt meter, this should read 0 volt until you turn on your key. *Make sure the key is turned off and removed before proceeding to next step*

14. Re-insert the fog lamp relay back into its socket with pin 1 bent and plugged into the female plug of the jumper cable.
15. Visually inspect to make sure there is no shorts or unwanted contacts
16. Insert key into iginition and turn to on
17. Turn on the fog lamp switch, the front fog lamps should be on
18. Turn the ignition key to "off" position and the fog lamps should be off.


It may looked like the jumper wire is tied together with electrical tapes but I actually solderd the wires to the connectors and put heat-shrink tubings around the connections then I taped the wires to the relays to secure them from moving.

Nice thing about this mod is that nothing is modified except the fog lamps relay so you can always buy a new relay and reverse all the changes and go back to factory.

 

[ironadrenaline]

if this works in the morning when i get to it. i will love you forever. i dont understand why toyota had to make it more confusing on the 06's

 

[AlphaQup]

wasc007,

Sweet write up bro! Thanks for the details and the pics are a ++++ ! Radio Shack here I come!

Thai, you should make this a sticky. Or we should start a thread with all the links to basic mods and sticky that. :biggrin2:

**edit** I did the liberty of starting that tread myself :gaptooth:

 

[ironadrenaline]

wasc007,

Sweet write up bro! Thanks for the details and the pics are a ++++ ! Radio Shack here I come!

Thai, you should make this a sticky. Or we should start a thread with all the links to basic mods and sticky that. :biggrin2:

**edit** I did the liberty of starting that tread myself :gaptooth:

yeah, its a great "tread" idea haha

 

[wasc007]

^

 

[Jacobzky]

if this works in the morning when i get to it. i will love you forever. i dont understand why toyota had to make it more confusing on the 06's

were you able to get this to work?

 

[Tdub]

Works perfectly and took about 10 minutes. This link still has all the pics and includes details for high beam use as well - http://www.top4runners.com/ja/2007/fogmod.html