DRL question, US spec 1993 525iT in Canada

[aviatorb747]

Hi everyone! Great website!
Just imported 1993 525iT from the states. Sorry for missing info in my profile, I'll update it this weekend. I need to install DRL relay. I have the relay, called the dealer and was told they rewire light switch for $ 250, they don't even install DRL relay.
???
Problem is nearest dealer is 500 miles away... Can anyone help? I know where LKM is, fuses are labeled, not relays.. All those relays look alike.
Thanks

Jack, Thompson MB 1993 525iT, 1990 300ZXTT

[Anthony (M5 in Calgary)]

I found this in my car behind the driver's kickpanel, covered by a rubber insulating sleeve. I suspect it is the DRL coding device since the headlights don't work if it is unplugged:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/interalian/DSC00476.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/interalian/DSC00474.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/interalian/DSC00473.jpg

If nothing else, I'd be interested to see one from a US car for comparison.

[Bill R.]

US cars don't have this just the drl circuit on the canadian cars... it looks like quite a few other things are different on the light circuit for the canadian car too..




I found this in my car behind the driver's kickpanel, covered by a rubber insulating sleeve. I suspect it is the DRL coding device since the headlights don't work if it is unplugged:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/interalian/DSC00476.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/interalian/DSC00474.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/interalian/DSC00473.jpg

If nothing else, I'd be interested to see one from a US car for comparison.

[Anthony (M5 in Calgary)]

US cars don't have this just the drl circuit on the canadian cars... it looks like quite a few other things are different on the light circuit for the canadian car too..

And I was just hoping there was a different module in the US cars. The module has alternate locations for diodes, fuelling my curiosity.

I'd like to disable the DRLs on my car and use a pair of aux lights or the fog lights instead. The way DRL was done on the E34 lights all of the instruments and other marker lights causing premature burn-out and extra load on the alternator. Makes the OBC display dimmer as well, pretty dumb - you sometimes can't see the display during daylight hours.

[632 Regal]

turn the dimmer up, thats what I have to do.
you sometimes can't see the display during daylight hours.

[aviatorb747]

I was led to believe that I only had to swap high beams relay with a DRL relay. I have a DRL relay, but I am not sure how to go about it. I have no idea which relay is which in the fuse box, I am not sure whether DRL goes into an empty socket or replaces another relay. Winnipeg dealer can't help, they tell me to bring the car in for a switch rewire.
All I need is to wire the car so lights come on with the ignition key on. After the inspection I'll undo it. Any ideas? Thanks

[aviatorb747]

Anthony: I'll take some pictures on saturday so we could see the differences

[Bill R.]

the relay box. It incorporates numerous relays not just the high beam relay.


I was led to believe that I only had to swap high beams relay with a DRL relay. I have a DRL relay, but I am not sure how to go about it. I have no idea which relay is which in the fuse box, I am not sure whether DRL goes into an empty socket or replaces another relay. Winnipeg dealer can't help, they tell me to bring the car in for a switch rewire.
All I need is to wire the car so lights come on with the ignition key on. After the inspection I'll undo it. Any ideas? Thanks

[dmenheere]

hi Jack,

Having brought my M5 in a couple of years ago I was also faced with converting it to DRL. I think if you use the BMW method you need an extra wiring harness and some relays.

I did the same thing with a 25 cent wiring clip behind the headlight switch in the dash. Pull the switch out and use a wire to cross figure out what wire you need to connect to power to run the low beams as soon as the key is turned ... I used it like this for a couple of months with no problems then removed it. The guys at Canadian Tire didn't seem to care one way or another whether it was done.

hth,

Dave Menheere

[Javier]

with the key to Run (or start, not in Accy).

Pull out light switch (see picture) and locate Green/Blue wire and Yellow wire. If you connect them you will have headlights on (low beams) as long as you have key in run or start.

Green / Blue wire go straight to Fuse F2, and Yellow wire go to LKM pin 3 (signal to turn on Low beams) and to High beams lever to allow high beams if lever is operated (flash is always available).

Javier

[aviatorb747]

Thank you all so much! I'll connect the wires first thing saturday morning and let you guys know how it went.

[Bill R.]

they changed it any for your market...:)




with the key to Run (or start, not in Accy).

Pull out light switch (see picture) and locate Green/Blue wire and Yellow wire. If you connect them you will have headlights on (low beams) as long as you have key in run or start.

Green / Blue wire go straight to Fuse F2, and Yellow wire go to LKM pin 3 (signal to turn on Low beams) and to High beams lever to allow high beams if lever is operated (flash is always available).

Javier

[Steven G]

Hi Anthony,
I strongly agree with you that the DRL setup in E34's is bad. Setup in our E36 is much better - headlights are on and the rest is off. A few years back I looked at Bentley's electrical schematic and I think by disconnecting a certain diode it would probably disable the DRL. I never tried it out - couldn't tell the location of the diode from the schematics. If you ever get them successfully disabled, please let me know. Thanks.
Steven G. (your neighbour from Lethbridge)


And I was just hoping there was a different module in the US cars. The module has alternate locations for diodes, fuelling my curiosity.

I'd like to disable the DRLs on my car and use a pair of aux lights or the fog lights instead. The way DRL was done on the E34 lights all of the instruments and other marker lights causing premature burn-out and extra load on the alternator. Makes the OBC display dimmer as well, pretty dumb - you sometimes can't see the display during daylight hours.

[aviatorb747]

I connected the wires in a headlight switch and voila!- lights are on! Thank you very much! Car being inspected as we speak, I hope they won't find too much stuff. I changed a battery, that took care of my alarm problem ( LED always flashing, now it only flashes when it should ) but I have to find a code for the radio...Once again thanks for the tips.