Daytime running lights (DRL) installation or fix

[sunbath]

Is there an easy way to ensure the headlights can never be turned OFF
while the vehicle is running (but still retain the ignition enabled
lights ON-OFF function)?

1) I am getting my 1996 Outback ready for a Canadian vehicle inspection
where daytime running lights are required to pass.
2) A quote for a daytime running light module for this car was $249CDN
used, (pirates!).
3) The federal inspector told me he does not care about the module, he
just wants to see that the headlights cannot be physically turned off
with the vehicle running.
4) I have a HAYNES manual with Subaru electrical schematics and plenty
of alligator clips.
5) Any ideas? Has anyone done this?
6) Will a plain old $10 ebay DRL module work for me?

Johnny
sunbath'at'ureach'dot'com
sunbath_at_ureach_dot_com

 

[mulder]

Is there an easy way to ensure the headlights can never be turned OFF
while the vehicle is running (but still retain the ignition enabled
lights ON-OFF function)?

1) I am getting my 1996 Outback ready for a Canadian vehicle inspection
where daytime running lights are required to pass.
2) A quote for a daytime running light module for this car was $249CDN
used, (pirates!).
3) The federal inspector told me he does not care about the module, he
just wants to see that the headlights cannot be physically turned off
with the vehicle running.
4) I have a HAYNES manual with Subaru electrical schematics and plenty
of alligator clips.
5) Any ideas? Has anyone done this?
6) Will a plain old $10 ebay DRL module work for me?

Johnny
sunbath'at'ureach'dot'com
sunbath_at_ureach_dot_com

The easiest solution is probably to bypass the headlight switch so it
can't be used to turn the lights off. As long as that's all you do,
the lights will still go on/off with the ignition. If you plan to make
this permanent use something better than alligator clips, if it's
temporary just to pass inspection it doesn't matter that much as long
as it's safe.
Unfortunately this isn't the best long-term thing for your headlights
if you do make it permanent. Having them turned on every time you
start the car will shorten the bulb life and also loads the electrical
system which makes the battery and alternator work harder. "Official"
daytime running lights are a bit more complex and that's why they use
control modules- they don't come on until the parking brake is off,
and they run at a reduced intensity.

 

[Dan]

The concern about leaving the headlights on all the time being hard on
the lights is not a problem. I don't legally require DRLs but still
leave the low beams on all the time (unless using high beams) on my 2001
Forester. Replaced one headlight at about 75,000 miles the other about
110,000 and replace original battery at 115,000 because it cranked
sluggishly at 0 degrees F.

Dan in Wisconsin

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

The easiest solution is probably to bypass the headlight switch so it
can't be used to turn the lights off. As long as that's all you do,
the lights will still go on/off with the ignition. If you plan to make
this permanent use something better than alligator clips, if it's
temporary just to pass inspection it doesn't matter that much as long
as it's safe.
Unfortunately this isn't the best long-term thing for your headlights
if you do make it permanent. Having them turned on every time you
start the car will shorten the bulb life and also loads the electrical
system which makes the battery and alternator work harder. "Official"
daytime running lights are a bit more complex and that's why they use
control modules- they don't come on until the parking brake is off,
and they run at a reduced intensity.

Depending on the actual arrangement of the switches involved - this
COULD be an opportunity to change the function of the 'parking light'
switch on top of the steering column. Perhaps it could be wired in with
the headlight switch so as to 'enable' and 'disable' the 'headlights
locked on' condition required.

Seems odd that they can't grandfather your car in or a waiver of some
sort isn't available for vehicles which were not built with DRLs.

another way the gumint sticks it to the little guy

Carl

 

[Ragnar]

Is there an easy way to ensure the headlights can never be turned OFF
while the vehicle is running (but still retain the ignition enabled
lights ON-OFF function)?

1) I am getting my 1996 Outback ready for a Canadian vehicle inspection
where daytime running lights are required to pass.
2) A quote for a daytime running light module for this car was $249CDN
used, (pirates!).
3) The federal inspector told me he does not care about the module, he
just wants to see that the headlights cannot be physically turned off
with the vehicle running.
4) I have a HAYNES manual with Subaru electrical schematics and plenty
of alligator clips.
5) Any ideas? Has anyone done this?
6) Will a plain old $10 ebay DRL module work for me?

I'd be asking to see some regulations that require DRLs on a car that
didn't come from the factory with them.

 

[Cam Penner]

I'd be asking to see some regulations that require DRLs on a car that
didn't come from the factory with them.

In 1996, all Outbacks imported into Canada DID come with
DRLs. If someone wants to import a non-Canadian market car
into Canada, it's entirely reasonable to expect it to
comply with Canadian regulations.

 

[Ragnar]

In 1996, all Outbacks imported into Canada DID come with
DRLs. If someone wants to import a non-Canadian market car
into Canada, it's entirely reasonable to expect it to
comply with Canadian regulations.

It may be "reasonable", but is it "required"?

 

[tom klein]

It may be "reasonable", but is it "required"?

only if you want to pass the inspection.

 

[etienne]

Go to this website: http://www.webelectricproducts.com/

I am in the same situation. I have a US Forester that needed to be
Canadian inspected. Their kit is very easy to install and also very
inexpensive.

Etienne

 

[Ragnar]

only if you want to pass the inspection.

Riiiiiiggghhhttt. Everybody says its required, but no one has ponied up
the regs that show it.

 

[Cam Penner]

Riiiiiiggghhhttt. Everybody says its required, but no one has ponied up
the regs that show it.

Would this be to your liking then?

http://www.riv.ca/english/US_vehicle_admissibility.pdf

Look at page 8. It seems pretty clear.

 

[Ragnar]

Would this be to your liking then?

http://www.riv.ca/english/US_vehicle_admissibility.pdf

Look at page 8. It seems pretty clear.

Finally! Thank you.

 

[Mark T.B. Carroll]

http://www.riv.ca/english/US_vehicle_admissibility.pdf

How interesting, thanks. Do daytime running lights actually have a
useful effect on accident statistics, then? I was happy that my US 2004
Impreza WRX STi doesn't have them, but I think the newer US ones do?

-- Mark

 

[Theodrake]

How interesting, thanks. Do daytime running lights actually have a
useful effect on accident statistics, then? I was happy that my US 2004
Impreza WRX STi doesn't have them, but I think the newer US ones do?

Really. Interesting as my 2003 Impreza WRX does have them.

I know when I did a lot of driving on two lane highways of California
and Arizona it sure helped when people had their headlights on. I could
tell if that speck out in the distance was coming at me when I passed
someone on a two lane highway.

 

[JD]

It may be "reasonable", but is it "required"?

DRLs are required on every Canadian car 1991 and later, and the import rules
are clear. If the car is less than 15 years old, it must comply with
Canadian regulations; including DRLs.

 

[JD]

How interesting, thanks. Do daytime running lights actually have a
useful effect on accident statistics, then? I was happy that my US 2004
Impreza WRX STi doesn't have them, but I think the newer US ones do?

-- Mark

They do. It is part of the reason they were introduced in Canada. We have
considerably more rtwo-lane highway and considerably less divided highway
than the US does. They do reduce accidents because you can actually see
cars coming towards you,and the DRLs help you more acurately estimate the
distance.

They also increase your insurance premiums (at least in Canada), if you
don't have them.
Even if they weren't required, I'd still have them.