First post, first question! DRL mod...

[TrekboxX]

Greetings!

I've been reading this forum for a while, and want to thank all of you for your insight into these nifty vehicles we all have. I am a fairly new 100 owner, and am starting the mod process.

Which brings me to my question... I've read the threads on adding a switch to disable the DRL's and have viewed the pictures, but for the life of me I cannot find the correct connector under the dash. The pics I've seen have been taken on a 2000 (I think), and mine is a 2003, so perhaps that's the difference? I've laid on the floor with my head next to the brake pedal, on it, upside down and sideways, and I don't see any connectors that resemble the one in the pics. I know fish2live has done this on an 03, and didn't mention anything unusual, so I guess the only logical conclusion is that I'm an idiot. I've also looked at the FSM but it's all greek to me.

Any advice is appreciated!

 

[r2m]

Give Slee a call. They are great people and very helpfull to talk to and you will probably be purchasing some gear from them at one point in time or another.
Sleeoffroad.com - Toyota SUV Off-Road Outfitters

 

[AimCOtaco]

I thought the connector was at the relays under the hood.

 

[arbetrader]

Out of curiosity, why would you want to disable them? I can't think of a real reason for the life of me, although there probably is one

 

[TrekboxX]

Thanks for the replies. Yeah, there are the relays under the hood, but they are clear on the other side of the compartment. I think with help from RobRed at TLC faq, it looks like the connector is behind the lower driver side kick panel. I think it will be a nightmare to get to for an electrical moron like me. Oh, and I get the confusion as to why anyone would want to disable them... Besides being able to sneak into a hunting spot or camp and not kill your night vision, I'm in law enforcement and it's very bad form to approach other officers with anything but your parkers on (like when you pull into or out of the gated cop lot each night). This is the first vehicle I've had where I can't turn them off. Nobody has said anything, but I can feel their disdain!

I think fish2live did this on an 03... You out there?

 

[TheFuzz]

Welcome to the forum! Fellow LE here (as if the name wasn't obvious enough...). I have yet to do this mod, and every time I work late swings and fire my car up to leave work at 3am it kills me. Luckily I have a take home for the majority of my week that doesn't have DRLs.

I was actually thinking about doing this mod yesterday along with wiring up the fogs in my ARB, but for the life of my I can't find my wiring and connector stuff...time to organize the garage I guess. I'm amazed I found enough tools to get the spark plugs done.

 

[TrekboxX]

Take home? That's a good gig. Well, you don't work for my dept unless you're up the ladder or K9.

The mod should be easy on your 2000. If you can find the parts!
Be safe.

 

[1loudLX]

Ebrake on before ignition will disable DRL until you get around to cutting/switching the wire. Also on 03+ you can have the dealer disable the DRLs via their computer. At least on the LX.

 

[DuckLN]

Out of curiosity, why would you want to disable them? I can't think of a real reason for the life of me, although there probably is one

I want mine off so I can creep around the woods without spooking wilflife. Also, i dont like the neighbors knowin what time i leave the duck club in the morning.

 

[mechanixhorseman]

I can relate. LE as well, although I don't often conduct official business in my POV.

I'm not sure if it is the same on your 2003, but on my 98, the DRL's are the same bulbs as the high beams, just on lower power (someone correct me if I'm wrong). Wouldn't disabling them as DRL's also prohibit you from using your high beams?

 

[hankinid]

I can relate. LE as well, although I don't often conduct official business in my POV.

I'm not sure if it is the same on your 2003, but on my 98, the DRL's are the same bulbs as the high beams, just on lower power (someone correct me if I'm wrong). Wouldn't disabling them as DRL's also prohibit you from using your high beams?

High beams will still work.

DRL-mode puts the high beams in series, so they're approximately half as bright. The regular high beam-mode will still function as then the bulbs are in parallel. Relays that do this are mounted on the passenger side inner fender, near the air cleaner intake.

Steve

 

[highonpottery]

Out of curiosity, why would you want to disable them? I can't think of a real reason for the life of me, although there probably is one

I've been wanting this since the day we bought ours. For me, some of the instances where I've wanted them off would be: driving through camp at night, driving through drive-in movies to another screen (since they don't all start/end at same time), general stealth mode, etc.

 

[RobRed]

I've been wanting this since the day we bought ours. For me, some of the instances where I've wanted them off would be: driving through camp at night, driving through drive-in movies to another screen (since they don't all start/end at same time), general stealth mode, etc.

Take a look at this Adding a Switch to Control Daytime Running Lights (DRL) Mod - TLC FAQ

Do you have the module under the steering wheel? As we found out with 1407 Driver the 2003+ doesn't and he needs to go to the relays on the fender.

 

[TrekboxX]

Well, I went at it tonight. Not great results. I first cut the red/white going into the relay and checked all the lights. DRLs were working as normal. The only change was the high beams not working in the on position, but they worked in the "flash" mode. Strange. So I figured, what the hell. I cut the red/yellow wire (the one we thought would work originally) DRL's were off! However, now the right high beam wouldn't work. I reconnected the red/white, and the right side high beam was no bueno.

Any suggestions? I'm sure it's possible (I hope), but trying to figure out these wiring diagrams is making me dizzy...

 

[TrekboxX]

Update - don't cut the red/black, either

 

[mechanixhorseman]

Might have better results using a multi-meter to test your theories, rather than cutting the wires first.

 

[1loudLX]

Go to the dealership(or a shop with the Toyota computer) and turn them off? You've got a 2003, it should have the ability to turn them off electronically instead of cutting wires.

 

[RobRed]

He's looking at switchable not off.

Sent from my iPad 2 using IH8MUD

 

[TrekboxX]

Ok, it's confirmed, I shouldn't play with wires. The red/yellow worked just fine. Sure, the right side high beam won't work with the switch off, but the switch will be on when using the lights. Doh!

 

[TrekboxX]

Mod finished. Yep, it's dirty. If a cleaner solution arises I'll jump on it. Only problem I've found is when the brights are on, if the toggle switch is accidentally switched off, the right bright will also turn off without the LED lighting up. Otherwise, the LED works fine when on auto or off and the DRL's are switched off. Thanks for the replies!

I guess I should join the club and start a "build thread."...