525i E34 Daytime Running Lights

[rayperreault]

Hi Guys I've just imported a very nice 1991 525i and need to get the daytime running lights option working to pass inspection. I've purchased the BMW DRL module and have found the socket for it but plugging it doesn't do the trick.
I'm assuming that I need to do other things to make it work. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Regards,
Ray

[pgrindstaff]

Is this (http://www.unofficialbmw.com/e36/electrical/e36_daytime_running_lights.html) the module you are talking about? I do not know for sure but I would guess the DRL feature might need to be coded for them to work.

Welcome to the board :)

[rayperreault]

Is this (http://www.unofficialbmw.com/e36/electrical/e36_daytime_running_lights.html) the module you are talking about? I do not know for sure but I would guess the DRL feature might need to be coded for them to work.

Welcome to the board :)

Yes that's the one I have but when I plug into it's socket nothing happens! I'm hoping it's just a matter of making some small circuit modification. The high beam relay is nowhere to be found and suspect it's in the light control module.
I spoke with the local dealer and those guys want $500 to make it work.
Cheers,
Ray

[alex 1993 525i auto]

I had my indy BMW shop wired the daylight from LCM, $75 CAN, 1 hour charged.
Best

[Dave M]

Welcome Ray,

I have no advice, but I'm curious about your 91 525 with 52,000km !? Its been driven the equivalent of 2,800km or 1,800 miles per year :D Assuming its from the US, but where abouts and whats the story? I actually bought my 91 525im in Kamloops quite a few years when living in the area.

Anyhow, good luck with the lights.

Dave

[rayperreault]

Hi Dave

I've imported my car from Japan where the average person drives approx.4000 km per year. It's in immaculate shape and looks like it came out of a time capsule and so far I've very pleased with my purchase.
While looking at the wiring diagram I've found a module called daytime running coding diodes and am wondering if there's an elegant solution to my problem. The easy way out would be to buy a daytime running light kit from Lordco and hack into the factory wiring but I'd rather not. I've purchased a DRL module that was discussed in another post but thats turned out to be a waste of time and money as this module isn't used in the e34.
There's some good deals to had if your willing to deal with the import process......I keep looking at a pair of low milage Bentleys that need a new home.

Ray







Welcome Ray,

I have no advice, but I'm curious about your 91 525 with 52,000km !? Its been driven the equivalent of 2,800km or 1,800 miles per year :D Assuming its from the US, but where abouts and whats the story? I actually bought my 91 525im in Kamloops quite a few years when living in the area.

Anyhow, good luck with the lights.

Dave

[shogun]

My Japanese 750 now has 154000 km :20 years = 7.700 km.
That is the average in Japan about. But also many cars in Japan with less km like yours.
I have seen many with 50-60.000 kms, even one E32 750 iL Highline with 11.000 km on the clock, that is now owned by Toshiba Tom in Canada, he bought it for $ 19.500 2 years ago.

I have a 1990 E32 750 Highline, that has only 110.000 km, another 1994 E32 750 with even less km.

[Ross]

The "module" appears to be nothing more than a single diode that jumps the light switch contacts.
The yellow wire from your switch is still connected to the LKM. It also connects to the high beam switch and this connection should remain. I can't tell you where in the harness the junction point for the two devices is. Perhaps both have discrete wires to the switch in which case figuring which goes where and snipping the one to the LKM should accomplish your goal.

[BMWCCA1]

Yes that's the one I have but when I plug into it's socket nothing happens! I'm hoping it's just a matter of making some small circuit modification. The high beam relay is nowhere to be found and suspect it's in the light control module.Granted, this refers to an E36/5, but did you read far enough in Rod's instructions?

On my '97 318ti the wiring is shown in the ETM (Electrical Troubleshooting Manual) but marked as not used. Turns out the wiring in pin 1 and 5 is not there. Pin 1 and 5 go across the headlight switch pin 10 (yellow) and pin 4 (green/red). I added wire connector 61 13 0 007 439 $1.50 retail to pin 5 of the relay socket. I added wire connector 61 13 0 007 437 $1.50 retail to pin 1 of the relay socket. . . .Also, neither the original relay listed in the link are used in any E34, according to RealOEM.com. The original relay is used on E36 and Z4s, but the DRL relay is only shown for those and for an E38.

But, if you do check the catalog for a '91 Euro E34 525i up comes this part number: RELAY DAY-LIGHT-DRIVING 61311378052 $54.96. Has anyone tried that one?

[rayperreault]

I bought the (RELAY DAY-LIGHT-DRIVING 61311378052$54.96.anyone tried that one?) but unfortunately it's not used even though it's listed as a valid part
associated with the VIN for this vehicle. It looks like the only answer is to wire the lights to the ignition.
Cheers,
Ray

[Ross]

http://www.bimmernut.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38225&highlight=daytime+running+lights

see my posts in this thread