Daytime Running Lights - Experiences
05-13-2006, 01:53 PM
#33
Rennlist Member
Sean, to clarify -- I don't have and don't want any kind of DRL. I can always turn on my headlights or parking + fog lights. Alan and I have a history of kicking ideas around, and you need not worry about your $29.99. Knowing Alan, he will either offer something very useful for the $ or return it with no issues or drama.
BTW Alan, what is your $29.99 "solution"? Now you've got me all curious...
BTW Alan, what is your $29.99 "solution"? Now you've got me all curious...
05-13-2006, 02:17 PM
#34
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Dave,
He really was still kidding - (and so was I
)...
For $29.99 you can get the full DRL delete option - very popular - order now because there are only a few left at this price...
Once you buy this product we guarantee your DRL will never come on again, avoid embarassment, extend the life of your bulbs and achive better gas mileage & longer alternator life.
Don't wave a red flag at the bears - keep those fog lights off.
Today's Special - for just $10 more you can get the full bulb delete option - full detailed instructions on how to make sure your fog lights never come on again - "be safe be sure".
VMMV!
Alan
He really was still kidding - (and so was I
)... For $29.99 you can get the full DRL delete option - very popular - order now because there are only a few left at this price...
Once you buy this product we guarantee your DRL will never come on again, avoid embarassment, extend the life of your bulbs and achive better gas mileage & longer alternator life.
Don't wave a red flag at the bears - keep those fog lights off.
Today's Special - for just $10 more you can get the full bulb delete option - full detailed instructions on how to make sure your fog lights never come on again - "be safe be sure".
VMMV!
Alan
05-13-2006, 03:30 PM
#36
Three Wheelin'
Alright, guys, enough horsin' around...this looks interesting:
This is what I meant before by "ignition switched"! Using this method, Alan, we can leave the fog light switch depressed all the time, and the fogs and markers will fire up once the car is started, right?
I don't have workshop manuals (I know,I know!) so let me ask for a bit more detail:
--by "accessory (X) input" do you mean any constant current feed to the fog lights' 30 terminal, or is (X) a terminal on the headlight switch? I haven't looked, but are the terminals numbered on the back of the switches?
--can I go to Radio Shack and just ask for a high current diode, or do I need to know anything else about it? Is the diode then simply soldered in-line?
--where is the fog light relay output terminal 87? On the fog light switch?
Sorry for the barrage of what are probably simple questions, but this stuff is unfamiliar to me!
Originally Posted by Alan
Do what I already said => Swap the fog light switches 30 terminal for an accessory (X) input then move that disconnected wire (to the Light Switches 58 terminal) to now be fed by the fog light relay output (terminal 87) via a high current diode.
Then when you turn the fog switch on and the ignition is on the markers will come on with the fog lights.
Alan
Then when you turn the fog switch on and the ignition is on the markers will come on with the fog lights.
Alan
I don't have workshop manuals (I know,I know!) so let me ask for a bit more detail:
--by "accessory (X) input" do you mean any constant current feed to the fog lights' 30 terminal, or is (X) a terminal on the headlight switch? I haven't looked, but are the terminals numbered on the back of the switches?
--can I go to Radio Shack and just ask for a high current diode, or do I need to know anything else about it? Is the diode then simply soldered in-line?
--where is the fog light relay output terminal 87? On the fog light switch?
Sorry for the barrage of what are probably simple questions, but this stuff is unfamiliar to me!
05-13-2006, 07:02 PM
#37
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Chaad,
Yes the operation you describe is accurate - one caveat to this - if you are in DRL mode and you use flash-to-pass the driving lights flash and the fogs go off during flash (as is normal for USA fogs - off with highbeam). However the markers will also go off during the flash....
You can delete this behavior by swapping to the Euro front fog lighting configuration where the fogs stay on in high beam/flash mode. On later cars this can be done by swapping a relay for a bridge but on an '87-'90 you need to change a relay connection on the back of the CE panel...
Accessory (X) is an output from the ignition switch (on in positions 1 & 2 of 0/1/2/3). It also feeds the inputs of several fuses on the Central Electric Panel where it is easy to access... (the top of fuses 1-5 on an '88).
The fog light relay is on the Central Electric Panel too - see your panel diagram (Relay XIII on an '88) - The relay can will give you the terminal locations. The fog relay 87 output is also the input (top) of foglight fuse (fuse 30 on an '88).
Terminals aren't always numbered on switches - but you are in luck - the fog light switch is numbered (on the rear end).
You can get high current diodes @ radio shack - but know what to ask for ... get a stud rectifier diode rated for ~40A & >50V (such as a 1N1190 series or similar - exact type is unimportant) - it only needs about 5A but you need a high safety margin so the fuse will protect it... These have a solder tab connection one end and a stud & nut the other end - in operation it will dissipate some power - probably ~4W - so a small heatsink would be good. Since the stud is also a diode connection you cannot bolt it to ground - so maybe mount it in a plastic box with an internal metal plate... something like that.
One caution - make sure you are confident of installation before you implement - get the manuals for your car... they are invaluable.
Alan
Yes the operation you describe is accurate - one caveat to this - if you are in DRL mode and you use flash-to-pass the driving lights flash and the fogs go off during flash (as is normal for USA fogs - off with highbeam). However the markers will also go off during the flash....
You can delete this behavior by swapping to the Euro front fog lighting configuration where the fogs stay on in high beam/flash mode. On later cars this can be done by swapping a relay for a bridge but on an '87-'90 you need to change a relay connection on the back of the CE panel...
Accessory (X) is an output from the ignition switch (on in positions 1 & 2 of 0/1/2/3). It also feeds the inputs of several fuses on the Central Electric Panel where it is easy to access... (the top of fuses 1-5 on an '88).
The fog light relay is on the Central Electric Panel too - see your panel diagram (Relay XIII on an '88) - The relay can will give you the terminal locations. The fog relay 87 output is also the input (top) of foglight fuse (fuse 30 on an '88).
Terminals aren't always numbered on switches - but you are in luck - the fog light switch is numbered (on the rear end).
You can get high current diodes @ radio shack - but know what to ask for ... get a stud rectifier diode rated for ~40A & >50V (such as a 1N1190 series or similar - exact type is unimportant) - it only needs about 5A but you need a high safety margin so the fuse will protect it... These have a solder tab connection one end and a stud & nut the other end - in operation it will dissipate some power - probably ~4W - so a small heatsink would be good. Since the stud is also a diode connection you cannot bolt it to ground - so maybe mount it in a plastic box with an internal metal plate... something like that.
One caution - make sure you are confident of installation before you implement - get the manuals for your car... they are invaluable.
Alan
05-25-2006, 03:59 PM
#38
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The plug and play relay (431.951.253.G) is only $40 but I just got the last one from Porsche in Germany. I understand they are used in Audi's too so maybe some are available through their supply channels.
05-25-2006, 05:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Sterling
F4GIB do you have a pic of relay.. I'm thinking its purple or blue.... I may still have mine laying around.
Last edited by F4GIB; 07-11-2006 at 07:45 PM.
04-18-2007, 02:31 PM
#43
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OK - so following up on this topic from almost a year ago ...
I've decided what I am going to do (but have only got to the sourcing parts stage...)
I am going to add DRL but not the stock GTS one. I do already have a HID fog system in my car with the ROW configuration (Fogs stay on with high beams).
I'm going to swap out my on/off push switch for front Fog/Driving lights to a 3 position turn switch like for the headlamp switch (so also has 0/1/2 positions)
Position 0 = Off - you can choose no DRL easily.
Position 1 = Auto - Marker Lights & front Foglights auto-on when its dark enough with ignition on (off when starting & variable auto-on sensitivity).
Position 2 = On - Marker Lights & Fogs on with ignition on (off when starting).
I have the design for this (but its for a GTS only).
When the fog switch is in position 1 or 2 and main lights switch is in positions 0 or 1 the green 'marker light' indicator will come on in the pod. This will go out whenever the ignition is off or when the headlamp switch is in position 2.
I like this functionality because:
- I can turn it off whenever I want
- I can still force the fogs/driving lights to go on whenever I want
- I always have front/side/rear markers also on in any active DRL mode
- I can leave the switch in any position I want and the ignition switches it
- The dashboard indicator reminds me I have it switched to 1/2 (as with HL 1 mode)
- 'Flash to pass' still always works (driving lights at least flash on)
The only thing I think is less good is that now these adjacent switches have the same operating mode (3 position twist).
I plan to have my pod out in May for refurbing the bulbs and will implement the switch changes then.
Alan
I've decided what I am going to do (but have only got to the sourcing parts stage...)
I am going to add DRL but not the stock GTS one. I do already have a HID fog system in my car with the ROW configuration (Fogs stay on with high beams).
I'm going to swap out my on/off push switch for front Fog/Driving lights to a 3 position turn switch like for the headlamp switch (so also has 0/1/2 positions)
Position 0 = Off - you can choose no DRL easily.
Position 1 = Auto - Marker Lights & front Foglights auto-on when its dark enough with ignition on (off when starting & variable auto-on sensitivity).
Position 2 = On - Marker Lights & Fogs on with ignition on (off when starting).
I have the design for this (but its for a GTS only).
When the fog switch is in position 1 or 2 and main lights switch is in positions 0 or 1 the green 'marker light' indicator will come on in the pod. This will go out whenever the ignition is off or when the headlamp switch is in position 2.
I like this functionality because:
- I can turn it off whenever I want
- I can still force the fogs/driving lights to go on whenever I want
- I always have front/side/rear markers also on in any active DRL mode
- I can leave the switch in any position I want and the ignition switches it
- The dashboard indicator reminds me I have it switched to 1/2 (as with HL 1 mode)
- 'Flash to pass' still always works (driving lights at least flash on)
The only thing I think is less good is that now these adjacent switches have the same operating mode (3 position twist).
I plan to have my pod out in May for refurbing the bulbs and will implement the switch changes then.
Alan
Last edited by Alan; 04-18-2007 at 03:43 PM.
