Disabling Daytime Running Lights (DRL) after HID conversion

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vanwhitey

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Hi, I have a 94 Mark (Canadian), and I just got my mechanic to install an HID set-up from a 96 LSC (USA). It works great, except for one worry, the daytime running lights are still in operation, and it's the HID's that are being powered up by the DRL's.

I used the search function, but can't find a definitive answer as to how to disable the DRL's. I'd like to accomplish this as simply as possible. By unplugging the DRL module, will this do the job, without disrupting anything else? If so, where is the DRL module located? Are there some wires I can snip that would do the job? If so, which ones? If those two options won't work, is it possible to have the DRL's power up the high beams instead of the HID's? If so, how would I accomplish this?

If there's anyone that could provide me with some technical guidance, it would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Bryan
 
Arn't you required to run DRL's in Canada? If it is mandatory I would switch them over to the Hi-beams so you don't burn up the HID's
 
That must be a Canadian standard on the mark eight.

My '96 doesn't have DRL's. I have auto lamp, but I never use it. My '93 was the same.

Good Luck.
 
It wasn't a question, and I don't live anywhere near Canada.

It could be as easy as changing out your auto lamp roller switch with a US switch, it rolls down until it clicks off. Does yours 'click' at the bottom?
 
Frogman said:
Try pulling the DRL fuse and see what happens, whitey.

Then we can go from there.

ps. I don't live anywhere near canadia either.
Click to expand...

If I bother you, stay away. I don't care if you live next door.
 
Dude? Grow a spine. Then a brain.

You don't "bother" me. But postwhoring about stuff you admittedly have no idea about is annoying. We're trying to help each other out here. Posting irellevant stuff like rolling the auto switch down all the way is not helping for 2 reasons.

1. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE AUTO LAMP FEATURE!

Ok. One reason.

Now, back to Whitey's post.

That is all.
 
Frogman said:
Dude? Grow a spine. Then a brain.

You don't "bother" me. But postwhoring about stuff you admittedly have no idea about is annoying. We're trying to help each other out here. Posting irellevant stuff like rolling the auto switch down all the way is not helping for 2 reasons.

1. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE AUTO LAMP FEATURE!

Ok. One reason.

Now, back to Whitey's post.

That is all.
Click to expand...

Lol it's hard to take offense to you at this point, I'm starting to feel sorry for you. Maybe you should find a second hobby.
 
I bet you work in a factory and never get laid.

..that's a random thought It's not a question statement fact and it doesn't need to be answered.
 
cant we all just get along?
as for switching the DRL to the high beams, try getting a test light and see what wire powers up for the DRL before the balast and possibly try hooking it to the high beam bulb, this MIGHT NOT WORK but its worth a shot, im not famaliar HID/DRL on mark viii, but ill see if i can dig up some thing at work (ford dosent have online support for cars over 10 years old) poss a US conversion or something
 
chickenviii said:
cant we all just get along?
as for switching the DRL to the high beams, try getting a test light and see what wire powers up for the DRL before the balast and possibly try hooking it to the high beam bulb, this MIGHT NOT WORK but its worth a shot, im not famaliar HID/DRL on mark viii, but ill see if i can dig up some thing at work (ford dosent have online support for cars over 10 years old) poss a US conversion or something
Click to expand...


Just need to trace the HID wire with a test light to find out where the DRL taps the low beam wire. Once you find the point where the DRL's tap the low beam just need to cut that connection and move that wire over the the high beam side. It is not as easy as it sounds...and it will not be easy to find but I am sure it can be done.
 
04SSHD said:
Just need to trace the HID wire with a test light to find out where the DRL taps the low beam wire. Once you find the point where the DRL's tap the low beam just need to cut that connection and move that wire over the the high beam side. It is not as easy as it sounds...and it will not be easy to find but I am sure it can be done.
Click to expand...
wouldnt the wire tap in before the ballast, cuz after, it would be extremely low voltage for a HID sys, ive never messed with a conversion kit so these are just gusses, but i should be able to get my hands on a EVTM and copy it tomorrow and least tell him what color wire he is lookin for
 
chickenviii said:
wouldnt the wire tap in before the ballast, cuz after, it would be extremely low voltage for a HID sys, ive never messed with a conversion kit so these are just gusses, but i should be able to get my hands on a EVTM and copy it tomorrow and least tell him what color wire he is lookin for
Click to expand...


Yes the wire will tap into the system somewhere before the ballast. It could be anywhere from the switch to ballast...it could even possibly bypass the switch and tap in somewhere else.
 
Wow, thanks for the replies, hopefully this will get me on the right track. DRL's are standard equipment on Canadian cars, although, according to my mechanic, it's not illegal to disable them.

If anything, disabling the DRL function altogether would be my preference, with wiring them to the highs as a second option if necessary. I read somewhere that there is an actual DRL module on Canadian (and some U.S.) Mark VIII's, but in my searches, haven't been able to find out where it is actually located. I was wondering if it would just be as simple as unplugging/disabling the DRL module...???.... Any thoughts?

If I end up having to go the second route, cutting wires and switching the DRL's to the high beams, 04SSHD and Chickenviii, it would be very helpful for any info. you could provide re. which colour wires, etc.

Thanks again.

Bryan
 
Forgot to add..... Pulling the fuse disables the horn as well, not a good idea when driving in Vancouver ;)

Cheers
 
The DRL module on the '94 VIII is connected to the parking brake indicator as well as having inputs from the Auto Theft module and the Keyless entry modules (they will flash the lights when alarm is triggered or doors double locked)...
DRL module is located behind the glove box in the kickpanel under some other relays/modules...

I recently installed a set of HIDs as well and ran into this problem. You can see some of what I went through here: Removing DRL's and here Removing DRL's
I used a combination of the instructions on LoL.com and markviii.org and came up with my own way to do it without touching the steering column wires or cutting any wires (I ended up soldering one splice into the autolamp wire under the hood to keep that function as well bypass the need to modify the 'flash to pass' circuit.)
If I can be of any help I will try my best. I can email you some of the wiring diagrams for the '94 if you think they might help you or your mechanic...
 
BAM!!!!! its for a 93 but it should be the same 99%

93 markviii drl 1.jpg
 
Brillliant!! Thanks chickenviii and Icarus.

Icarus, I read the thread and was particularly interested in this....

'Well... the DRL's are disabled, the low beams don't flash with a double lock or with the anti-theft, and I haven't cut a single wire (I cheated and pulled the harness locks out and pulled the single pins I need out and covered them, this way if it goes back to stock, no one will be the wiser, lol...) The only thing I had to disassemble on the interior was the glove box and the lil panel below it were your toes touch.'

If you could elaborate on how to do that, it would be ever so helpful. You could say I'm not so much of an electrical person, it confounds me, so please don't be afraid to spare as many details as possible, no matter how simplistic they may seem.... ;) Thanks so much!

Bryan
 
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