Daytime Running Lts. to Nightime Running Lights?

[Tedster]

Question for you Electricians?

I want to be able to run my Daytime Running Lights at Night.

If I Run a Hot lead from my Headlights to my DRL's with a oneway diode, would I be able to run my DRL's with my headlight?

Would this allow my DRL's to function normally and work with the remote when I lock/unlock with keyless entry?

Thanks,

Ted

03 Yellow H2,Adventure Package,Luxury Package,Sunroof, Wrap-around Grill Guard w/Lts.,Tailight Guards,Roof Lights,Tubular Sidesteps,SMA Tire Rack,Carbon Fiber Dash, Custom Exhaust

[Tedster]

Question for you Electricians?

I want to be able to run my Daytime Running Lights at Night.

If I Run a Hot lead from my Headlights to my DRL's with a oneway diode, would I be able to run my DRL's with my headlight?

Would this allow my DRL's to function normally and work with the remote when I lock/unlock with keyless entry?

Thanks,

Ted

03 Yellow H2,Adventure Package,Luxury Package,Sunroof, Wrap-around Grill Guard w/Lts.,Tailight Guards,Roof Lights,Tubular Sidesteps,SMA Tire Rack,Carbon Fiber Dash, Custom Exhaust

[JCJ]

Would this option not be one "just" programmable through the vehicle's computer?
Has any one had experience with any possible programmable options wich can be set on/off by connecting the hand carried computer to the on-board computer?
The Chevy dealer here BTW is still waiting to have his computer upgraded with the H2 software, so he can program key-fob # 1, as this one never worked. Key fob # 2 works okay, but can't use the memory settings of chair/mirror etc. for fob # 1.
Is this H2 software hard to get or what?

[NSXTC]

Can't use a diode unless you can find one that'll handle the amount of current that the headlights draw. I don't have the fuse chart handy, but I think the headlights have a 20A fuse? I don't think there's a 20A diode. You'll have to go with the relay/toggle switch approach.

I'm going to try to do mine in the next couple of weeks. I'm doing research on the switch to see if I can order the OEM style that they use for the roof lights.

03 Metallic Red H2
02 Ducati 998R

[buddy]

I've been wanting to run the DRL's with the head lights or parking lights, or at least have that option.

I figured I'd splice into the parking lights, run that wire thru a switch, then to a common relay.
From the relay to each DRL. Of course that's after the relay is wired and grounded

This way when the switch is off the DRL's operate as normal. When the switch and parking lights are on, so are the DRL's.

With just the DLR's operating as normal, there shouldn't be any current feeding back to the parking lights.

What you think?

Buddy

[NSXTC]

Hey Buddy,

That's the right way to do it. I'm still trying to find the part # for the switch that looks like the TC2 and Tow switch. That way, the switch looks OEM and would be mounted in that blank spot below the tow switch.


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03 Metallic Red H2
02 Ducati 998R

[JCJ]

Hey, you guys make it sound so easy! But where/how do you pass the wiring through firewall/dash to the switch? Speaking of, let us know when you find the OEM looking one. I'll be looking 2.

[Afreet]

Ok I am a little confused, the dealer told me that the daytime running lights are still on at night, but like the DRL, only when the vehicle is in drive or reverse. Is this not really the case?

[buddy]

When gets dark the automatic headlamp system will switch from DRL's to the headlights...or if you manually turn the headlights on the DRL's defaults to off.
/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif
Buddy

[buddy]

I'll try a see if this pic loads.

DRL's and HID headlights on together. The DRL's appear to create a lot of glare at night. The beam is almost like a flashlight on wide beam, only a lot brighter.

Buddy

[NSXTC]

Hey Buddy,

To get those DRLs to match the color of your HIDs,
try the blue/white tinted bulbs on the DRLs.

BTW, which HID kit did you use? Can you post a pic of the switch?

[JCJ]

Which color do the parking light wires have?
Only want to splice the right wire, not he high beam wire, like James Bond always does during a bomb countdown.

[NSXTC]

Use the hot wire (i.e., not black) from the 'parking light' (yellow lights not head lights). You won't have to worry about high beams.

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03 Metallic Red H2
02 Ducati 998R

[buddy]

are acturally amber. The stock bulbs did look pretty yellow though. I am going to try and find some whiter ones for the DRL's.

The HID's are from Breatheless Perf. Although they are single beam only(low beam), they do put a lot of light on the road, better than stock highs.

I spliced into the brown wire at the left turn signal(source wire to active the relay) and run it to terminal #86 of a common relay. Later, when I find the right switch, I'll run thru it and back to the relay.

The remote entry still operates the courtesy lights as stock. The headlamp switch actives the parking lamps and the DRL's together, turn off the parking lamps and you still have the DRL's, one more turn will turn the DRL's off all together. Installing thru a switch will allow you turn off the DRL's while the parking lamps are on.

/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif
Buddy

[NSXTC]

Buddy,

I actually like your switchless idea and activating the DRLs on the parking lights. This way, I don't have to mess with the troubles of running wires through the firewall, mounting the switch etc...

I'm going this route.

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03 Metallic Red H2
02 Ducati 998R

[rpv]

After all the rewiring, will the DRL's still function during the day?

And can you turn off the DRL's at night if you wanted just the headlights?

RPV AR Razorback
Grateful and Proud H2 Sunset Metallic Orange owner since July 2002

[rpv]

I am an electrical rookie as well...

I love the look of the DRL's on at night...

Would you be so kind as to jot down what things I need to get to do this to my H2 and the specific steps to take...in very laymans terms...

Any help would be greatly appreciated...

Electrical Dummie from AR...

RPV

[NSXTC]

Click on this link. Takes about 5 min to do...

http://www.elcova.com/groupee/forums?a=tpc&s=2826088551&f=6706011751&m=6876004491

Regards,
David
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H2SUT.com
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[rpv]

NSXTC,
thanks...got a 12 gauge wire, cheap super blue halogen/xenon headlight bulbs and will try to get DRL's on at night this weekend.
RPV

[rpv]

I also changed my bulbs to super cool blue for 19.99/pair and adjusted the beam lower... just as bright but less glare and I like the whitish/blue look!!!
I will do the same for the DRL...is that part # 3157???
Hope to hook up my dig camera soon and post pics.

[MAC]

posted January 07, 2003 02:15 PM
Not every 3157 will work. There are many types of 3157, with totally different bases. The 3157 used in Hummer has snap in base with 2 metal contacts on each side, some 3157 has only 1 wire each side, some 3157 has larger bulb as ours but some has tiny bulbs. I have switched to new 3157 "Super White" bulbs I found at Kragen Auto, these are the $7 cheap bulbs, light became white (vs. yellow) with a slight blue tint, the result is excellent.

In the topic: NEW BULBS. all 3 types of bulbs on the front were replaced and reported(with photo). http://www.elcova.com/groupee/forums?a=tpc&s=2826088551&f=6706011751&m=7026069302

You can also easily do a search on eBay with 9007(head), 3157(DRL) or H3(fog). Some eBay sellers of bulbs are not professional and do not back up quality as promised, but the search result is very educational to understand the bulbs and prices. I saw 9007 head lamp Super white bulbs by GE at Wal-Mart for $19 a pair.

[JohnnyBoy]

Has anyone installed any of the lights that produce a purpleish tint, like the ones on late model BMW's?

==================================
03 Hummer H2 Adv./Lux. Pkgs. Sunset Orange W/Sunroof
Air Spring Susp. Pkg. + 3rd. row seat
http://www.haugens.com

[MAC]

There's tons of discussions and posts and pictures on HID in the TECH sections, you have to do your homework to read through them. All your answers are in those posts.

[rpv]

Thanks, MAC...

I got the right bulbs and I also attatched the wire to allow DRL's to run with parking lights in the daytime and all to be on at night...the wire I used was a 12 gauge...very thick but worked...

PROBLEM: the new 3157 super cool blue bulb on the driver DRL blew after driving for a day...don't know if it was bec of too thick of a wire or cheap bulbs...HELP???

I also noticed the original bulbs had 4157 on them...are there bulbs with that #???

I'll go back to AUTOZONE and return the bulbs...if my orig DRL blows, then prob something wrong with the thick wire...

INPUTS please....

RPV

[MAC]

rpv, Same thing happened to my first pair of blue super white 3157 bulbs after 1-2 days. I exchanged a new pair. 2nd time I was extra careful not to put my fingers on the bulb, clean the bulb first, then use rubber gloves when touching the bulbs. The new pair works fine for 1-2 weeks now. Xenon gas bulbs have much higher temp., any oil you left on the bulb, including the minor stuff you cannot see will burn the bulbs very fast.

Stock DRL comes with 4157 which is same as 3157 but more durable, not easy to find, did not looked to be any brighter than regular 3157. My new super white 3157 are great, if they burn out in 6 months, I'll just get new ones, cheap $7 a pair bulbs don't bother me much. For sure I'm not going back to old yellow lights.

[This message was edited by MAC on January 20, 2003 at 09:27 AM.]

[rpv]

thanks, will try again...this time with gloves before i even open the package...
later...
RPV

[rpv]

I replaced the orig 4157/3157 DRL's and the same drivers side blew...I finally pulled the connecting wire allowing the DRL to run along with the parking lights and headlights at night and bought another pair of super blue, this time taking care to use gloves....so far so good...after one week, if things are ok...I'll reattatch the 12 gauge wire and allow the DRLs to go on at night...hopefully they last and if not, anybody else experience this prob after placing the connecting wire???...maybe the gauge of my wire is too thick???

RPV

[JCJ]

How about these "Angel Eyes" in place of DRLs?
Possible?
http://store.yahoo.com/rodi/opaney.html

[MAC]

Just a personal preference that I do not want to alter the Hummer factory look much, while many others go out to change the look as much as they can. The Hummer fog lamps look just right with the Hummer logo lamp guards. The new fog lamp H3 bulbs now deliver very bright cold blue light, even brighter than head lamp which has DOT Xenon 9007 bulbs, next step is to go to not street legal 100W head lamp Xenon gas bulbs.

[MAC]

H3 bulb is for the fog lamp or off-road lamp, I'm getting lazy with long word "off-road lamp", in bulb sellers' term, they are generally called "fog lamp", never "off-road" lamp.
9007 is for head lamp, and DRL uses 3157.

[MAC]

Wal-Mart has a line of Super White auto bulbs made by GE, I saw 9007(head lamps), H3(off-road lamps), not sure about 3157. The bulbs are transparent, don't know about the light. You can always return them, unlike eBay.

Thanks for the info on fog/off-road lamps. I used to live in San Francisco, 1/2 of the City is in dense fog 1/2 the year, reg. head light is reflected and of course you never should use high beam in the fog, fog lamps especially the yellow ones are most effective in the fog. As such, your statement about fog vs off-road lamps is logical.

Which reminds me H2 does not have fog lamps, I never noticed it before. Based on my driving experience in many states and Europe, fog lamps are not decorations but very important safety equipment, there were times I could not see anything nor go anywhere without the fog lamps.

On eBay, the H3 bulbs are described as fog lamps, not as off-road lamps. My H3 bulbs came from eBay, maybe I have fog bulbs in my off-road lamps. Whatever, I like the bright blue light.