PDA

View Full Version : Take my DRLs, please!! (or help me out)



QWK SVT
04-23-2005, 02:02 PM
Ford, in all it's infinite wisdom decided not to provide the owner with a way to turn the Day Time Running Lights (DRLs) off, for any reason. If parked with the engine on (emergency brake on too), the lights are still on.

Note to Ford: Other cars I've owned (including a Mercury Cougar) had this ability:rolleyes:



While those south of the border probably don't suffer from this problem, fellow Canuck owners will share my pain. This is extremely annoying, when you need the engine on, but don't feel like drawing attention to yourself - like at a drive-in movie, or quietly parked with company ;)

Luckily enough, Ford has kept it pretty simple, for years - probably because there is a Canadian-only requirement for DRLs. I'm halfway to where I want to be - I can fully enable, or disable them, by simply pulling one connection...



Stick your head under the car, and look directly up, through the gap under the radiator. On the driver's side, you'll see this:



http://www.qwksvt.com/Marauder_Files/DRL/PlugIn.jpg



Pull th plug out, and you're done:



http://www.qwksvt.com/Marauder_Files/DRL/PlugOut.jpg



From this:



http://www.qwksvt.com/Marauder_Files/DRL/LightsOn.jpg



To this, in 30 seconds:



http://www.qwksvt.com/Marauder_Files/DRL/LightsOff.jpg



I think the parking lights fogs at dusk make the Marauder look a lot more "menacing" - a look that befits it!



Now here's where I need some help... I'd really like to wire a toggle switch to the cockpit, so that I don't have to dig under the car and get dirty, every time I want to go stealth.



Does anyone have any ideas, as to which wire is which? There's have a dozen wires going into the plug and I don't have access to schematics, to figure out which is which. I may be doing something bad, and not even know it :confused:

<!-- #EndEditable -->

CRUZTAKER
04-23-2005, 05:04 PM
Put a meter on each wire in that harness plug. Find the ground, and splice a switch in between it. Run it (the new wires and switch) to an easily reachable place under the dash.

The only trick is getting through the firewall....and it's only a trick if you have never tried it before.;)

Smokie
04-23-2005, 05:17 PM
I don't think a single wire will do it, each headlamp requires an individual hot wire and ground. You would need in my opinion a single pull double throw switch (SPDT)

Shaft333
04-23-2005, 05:49 PM
Red/Blk (1) - Lo Beam In
Dk Blu/Org (2) - Bat Pwr
Vio/Org (3) - Ign (Run)
Blk (4) - Ground
Lt Grn/Blk (5) - Hi Beam In
(6)

DRL harness codes..

Does this match the description of your DRL module?

Shaft333
04-23-2005, 05:52 PM
I suggest switching it through a relay. Just to keep the current through the device more consistent to as it was designed.

Feel free to PM me if you need more detail.

Rider90
04-23-2005, 05:53 PM
Put a meter on each wire in that harness plug. Find the ground, and splice a switch in between it. Run it (the new wires and switch) to an easily reachable place under the dash.

The only trick is getting through the firewall....and it's only a trick if you have never tried it before.;)

More of a trick is getting a 4 gauge wire through the firewall for the amp in the trunk :cool:

QWK SVT
04-24-2005, 08:39 AM
Red/Blk (1) - Lo Beam In
Dk Blu/Org (2) - Bat Pwr
Vio/Org (3) - Ign (Run)
Blk (4) - Ground
Lt Grn/Blk (5) - Hi Beam In
(6)

DRL harness codes..

Does this match the description of your DRL module?
Wow - quick response!:2thumbs: That sounds like it! The numbers match up, if you look at the plug, like this:

-clip-
1-2-3
4-5-6



I suggest switching it through a relay. Just to keep the current through the device more consistent to as it was designed.

Feel free to PM me if you need more detail.
I'm not very electronically inclined... Can you guide me through what to do, to have a basic toggle switch working? I can figure out where to put the switch later, just looking for a little :help:

I know I searched for this before, and I think a few other Canadian members were trying to do this, at one point, or another. By posting here, maybe they can benefit, too...

Thanks in advance:bows:

David Morton
04-24-2005, 11:27 AM
Shaft333 may be partly right, a relay might be needed. But it is possible these wires are running the DRL relay(s?) in which case an extra relay won't be needed.

Just look at the guage of the wires. A relay is used to let a low current switch operate a high current circuit. So if they are 14 guage wires they are probably running the DRL relay(s?). If the ground wire is a thick 10 guage wire you'd better use a relay.

Most relays have a schematic of their circuitry printed on them and are pretty simple. There's a "powered on" circuit, an "unpowered on" circuit and the control circuit.

In this case cut and run the DRL ground wire through the relays' "unpowered on" terminals, then run a fused wire from battery+ to a control circuit terminal and then a ground wire for that circuit to your switch location. A short wire from the switch to the nearest ground (chassis, body) and you're all set. The switch brings the control circuit to ground and turns on the relay, which in this application breaks the circuit for the DRL ground. Same as unplugging it.

TX Harley Guy
04-24-2005, 11:52 AM
Im just guessing here, I dont know much about MMs but on HD F150s there is a dedicated fuse for DRLs only, could you find the output wire and put a switch in it?
Im probably way off base here but trying to help.

QWK SVT
04-24-2005, 12:24 PM
Shaft333 may be partly right, a relay might be needed. But it is possible these wires are running the DRL relay(s?) in which case an extra relay won't be needed.

Just look at the guage of the wires. A relay is used to let a low current switch operate a high current circuit. So if they are 14 guage wires they are probably running the DRL relay(s?). If the ground wire is a thick 10 guage wire you'd better use a relay.

Most relays have a schematic of their circuitry printed on them and are pretty simple. There's a "powered on" circuit, an "unpowered on" circuit and the control circuit.

In this case cut and run the DRL ground wire through the relays' "unpowered on" terminals, then run a fused wire from battery+ to a control circuit terminal and then a ground wire for that circuit to your switch location. A short wire from the switch to the nearest ground (chassis, body) and you're all set. The switch brings the control circuit to ground and turns on the relay, which in this application breaks the circuit for the DRL ground. Same as unplugging it.
The ground wire and all the other wires, for that matter, are nowhere near that thick - 14ga, at most. So, are you saying that all I need, is to just run an inline switch to the ground?

I'd like to do this as easy as possible, but don't like playing with electrical stuff - out of my element if it's not running to an amp, or speakers...



TX Harley - I'm pretty sure there's more than just the DRL's on the fuse. I think the fogs are also there, to.

David Morton
04-24-2005, 03:58 PM
The ground wire and all the other wires, for that matter, are nowhere near that thick - 14ga, at most. So, are you saying that all I need, is to just run an inline switch to the ground?You'll probably be alright there. You can run two wires to your switch location and use it to toggle your ground, or you can find out which end is grounded and run the other wire alone to the switch and get another ground there with a shorter wire.

On this set-up, default will be "no DRLs" and the switch will have "power through" for the DRL mode. On the one I described that uses a relay, default is DRL and the switch is powered only when DRLs are off.

Shaft333
04-25-2005, 05:34 AM
My schematic shows nothing else on the fuse. It'a 20A located in the battery junction box - Fuse 11. Goes straight to the DRL (Bat Pwr).
And the power distribution diagram only indicates that the DRL is connected to said fuse.

Either way... switching this thing on and off would be a breeze.

Is this connector already wired in the American market MM's? Is adding DRL only a matter of buying the module and plugging it in?

04funmerc
04-25-2005, 06:21 AM
Don't know about ele. stuff, but could'nt you swithch out a U.S. headlight switch with a CA. one -- I can turn my light off at will with the switch. Good luck with it.:)

Shaft333
04-25-2005, 06:32 AM
Don't know about ele. stuff, but could'nt you swithch out a U.S. headlight switch with a CA. one -- I can turn my light off at will with the switch. Good luck with it.:)
The switches appear to be the same.

QWK SVT
04-25-2005, 05:48 PM
My schematic shows nothing else on the fuse. It'a 20A located in the battery junction box - Fuse 11. Goes straight to the DRL (Bat Pwr).
And the power distribution diagram only indicates that the DRL is connected to said fuse.

Either way... switching this thing on and off would be a breeze.

Is this connector already wired in the American market MM's? Is adding DRL only a matter of buying the module and plugging it in?
I think it's pretty well ready to go, but one of the supporting vendors can probably answer for sure...

I assume that the Marauder is the same as an f150. there's both a relay block (hiding under the dash) and then this module. I know of US Lightnings that bought the parts for about $80, and were able to just plug them in, and go...


Don't know about ele. stuff, but could'nt you swithch out a U.S. headlight switch with a CA. one -- I can turn my light off at will with the switch. Good luck with it.:)
It's not the switch - US / Canadian switches are the exact same. It's this module that does all the work. All 'cause we have a silly law up here... Every car manufactured after 1991 MUST have DRLs - for "our" protection :rolleyes:

O's Fan Rich
04-26-2005, 06:16 AM
In park with the p brake on.

Mad1
04-26-2005, 10:57 AM
All this talk about electrical wires is missing the vital point ...



This is extremely annoying, when you need the engine on, but don't feel like drawing attention to yourself - like at a drive-in movie, or quietly parked with company ;)

They still have drive-in movies in Canada! (I don't believe it!) :bs:

I haven't seen a drive-in movie since I was 10 ... back in the early 80s and well before I was interested in quietly parking with company. :)

Mad1
Jeremy

QWK SVT
04-26-2005, 09:41 PM
In park with the p brake on.
Both the Marauder, and the Lightning are the same - even the parking brake doesn't turn off the DRL's. Real pain in the azz, if you ask me. The module in the Lightning only had two wires, so it was easier to figure out what to do...



All this talk about electrical wires is missing the vital point ...

They still have drive-in movies in Canada! (I don't believe it!) :bs:

I haven't seen a drive-in movie since I was 10 ... back in the early 80s and well before I was interested in quietly parking with company. :)

Mad1
Jeremy
Indeed, there are still a few around. I don't go very often - I'm more into the big screen, big sound multiplex kinda things. But, during the summer in downtown Toronto, they setup a temporary "drive-in", against a building wall, right by the waterfront. Really a pretty nice setup.

Big car comes in handy to quietly park, but not when you have lights calling everyone to come over, and see what's going on...

O's Fan Rich
04-27-2005, 07:33 AM
Mine wwas installed after the fact by a dealer. That could be the diff.
In the great white North it's a required thing, right? Maybe that's how it's engineered.

Dr Caleb
04-27-2005, 08:21 AM
In the great white North it's a required thing, right? Maybe that's how it's engineered.

Yes, it's required. But usually there is a way to temporarally disable them. Like Q-SVT said, I've had cars where if you start them with the p-brake on, the DRL's stay off.

Grrrrr. I've never had to run with the DRL's off on the MM, but I can see where it would come in handy!

David Morton
04-28-2005, 03:56 PM
You could use the parking brake switch to operate a relay that would disable the DRLs, if that's all you're looking for. Just use it's voltage output to operate the relay. No lights in the daytime as long as the parking brake is on. Run it as a parallel circuit.

Canada still has drive-ins because their calendars are forty years behind American ones. :D

They still don't know how much there is to be afraid of! I have some Canadian friends that come down here every winter and they're so stupid, they don't have alarms on their cars or guns in their glove boxes or do anything security minded the whole time they're down here. I visited one at his house one time, knocked on the door, and he said, "It's open!"

What an idiot!

:D

MaLo03
04-28-2005, 05:48 PM
In park with the p brake on.
Mines Too.
I turned my DRL off and never could get them back on again.
Strange.......Eggie

QWK SVT
04-28-2005, 07:28 PM
You could use the parking brake switch to operate a relay that would disable the DRLs, if that's all you're looking for. Just use it's voltage output to operate the relay. No lights in the daytime as long as the parking brake is on. Run it as a parallel circuit.

Canada still has drive-ins because their calendars are forty years behind American ones. :D

They still don't know how much there is to be afraid of! I have some Canadian friends that come down here every winter and they're so stupid, they don't have alarms on their cars or guns in their glove boxes or do anything security minded the whole time they're down here. I visited one at his house one time, knocked on the door, and he said, "It's open!"

What an idiot!

:D
This sounds like a good idea, but I think I'm going to go with a switch. Sounds like an easier plan, to me. Unless my weekend gets screwed up, I've got a weekend project to keep me busy...

PS - In Toronto (city of over 3 million), leaving your door unlocked is an invitation for unwanted visitors... Our laws are not as "home owner friendly", when it comes to protecting one's property, either.

Sactown
04-29-2005, 08:59 AM
All this talk about electrical wires is missing the vital point ...



They still have drive-in movies in Canada! (I don't believe it!) :bs:

I haven't seen a drive-in movie since I was 10 ... back in the early 80s and well before I was interested in quietly parking with company. :)

Mad1
JeremyDrive in theater is here in Sacramento, six screens I think. Last I heard it will be leveled this year to make yet another movie house & restaurant complex. Too bad but the real estate is worth a fortune and the site is way underutilized. It is next to a major freeway and the city surrounded it over 20 years ago. I'm surprised it has lasted this long.

QWK SVT
04-30-2005, 06:52 PM
I finished the rough mock up... All done, but a final location for the switch...

I first sliced the ground, as suggested. Unfortunately, that doesn't work. It reduces the DRL to about half power, but definitely still on :confused: SO I quickly ran back to the computer, and relooked at this thread - specifically Shaft333's post, with the wire color / description. "IGNITION" is one on the list. Back to the car...

Low and behold, with the ignition turned fully off, the parking lights will come on, but not the DRL's. Switch the ignition to to ACC, and the lights come on. I've found my wire! Purple and Orange.

I connected some spare speaker wire (14-gauge) and put in inside some of that protective pastic tubing. I ran it over to behind the passenger headlight, then along the top of the wheel well, and then dropped it down to the large grommet on the passenger side firewall - what a pain to try an squeeze my hand up from underneath, to feed the wire through the grommet! From there, it was easy to keep the wires hidden behind the carpet, and over to the console. I have a flip switch, that could be lit, if I ran it some power. Maybe, once I decide on final location I'll get power to it - depends on how "stealthy" I want to keep the switch.

Petyvo
07-11-2005, 12:49 AM
Read your owner's manual to find out how to toggle your DRLs ON/OFF.

It works well for/on the US 300B models, at the least.

Otherwise, try to use NGS or WDS to disable this option by DEFAULT - just as US models have it.

If this or nothing else works -- cut the wire FROM the DRL fuse and splice a ON/OFF switch in between.

Good Luck.Petyvo

QWK SVT
07-11-2005, 07:49 PM
Read your owner's manual to find out how to toggle your DRLs ON/OFF.

It works well for/on the US 300B models, at the least.

Otherwise, try to use NGS or WDS to disable this option by DEFAULT - just as US models have it.

If this or nothing else works -- cut the wire FROM the DRL fuse and splice a ON/OFF switch in between.

Good Luck.Petyvo
There's no toggling on/off, in Canada. I ended up running the ON/OFF switch, and it worked like a charm! NOw, i mostly leave the DRL's off, and run the fogs, until it begins to get dark (at which point my headlights come on).

MENINBLK
07-11-2005, 07:59 PM
Ford's Contour/Mercury Mystique were wired for DRLs.
All they needed was an underhood DRL Relay.
I picked up the relay for $25 and I had DRLs.
They were always on with the Key On.
Emergency brake or no, they stayed on.

So the Marauder isn't the only one here...