How to disable day-time running lights

[Ricardo]

I need help to disable these day-time running lights in an 96 outback.

Thanks


Ricardo
Chile

 

[alex3324]

Not sure if this applies to you on your '96, but on my 03 Baja... Remove
trim from around the e-brake handle. There's a small plunger-type switch
that is released when the handle is pulled. One screw secures the switch
to the handle assembley -- loosen the screw and rotate the switch out of
the way so the plunger is always in the 'out' position. Put it all back
together. One caveat: the 'brake' idiot light will stay illuminated at
all times as if the e-brake was on.

There is another way to do this, my 03 has a DRL module somewhere above
the driver's feet (I'm told it's white, about the size of a pack of
cigarettes), but to disable DRL you have to cut wires and tape them off.
I don't like to cut factory wires.

YMMV

 

[mulder]

Disabling the DRLs by this method is a bad idea. The "brake" warning
light serves another important function other than for the e-brake, it
also comes on when the brake fluid level gets too low. By "fixing" your
DRLs with the switch you have now also disabled the brake warning
system, so if there is ever a problem that causes fluid loss you won't
be aware of it.
On the 03 the proper way to disable the DRLs is to find the module
behind the glovebox and disconnect it. You do not have to cut any wires,
just unplug the connector. Non-destructive and fully reversible.
There is info on Scoobymods and NASIOC about doing this.

 

[mulder]

In the US our 96's didn't have DRLs, but there should be a control
module inside the car, probably on the passenger side, that you can
unplug. There will also be a dropping resistor under the hood someplace,
it will be a metal module with two wires attached to the firewall or
strut tower. You can unplug that as well and it will disable the DRLs as
long as your lights are stock and haven't been modified or replaced with
aftermarket lights that use alternate grounding from the factory system.
I would recommend finding and disconnecting the main module as this will
ensure that the DRLs are fully disabled and remain so, regardless of how
you configure your lights.

 

[Sparky Polastri]

I need help to disable these day-time running lights in an 96 outback.

Thanks


Ricardo
Chile

If you have a hand-parking brake, you can pull up on it to engage the
switch. Sometimes it turns them off. (Don't pull far enough to engage the
brake, just to hit the switch.)

 

[FNO]

I need help to disable these day-time running lights in an 96 outback.

Thanks


Ricardo
Chile

Why would you want to do that?

 

[Adam Helberg]

Why would you want to do that?

Because he does not want to be seen.

 

[Al]

Why would you want to do that?

Waste of energy?

 

[hippo]

Because he does not want to be seen.

soooo ..... drive at night with *all* lights off....?

 

[Ricardo]

Here in Chile we have very sunny seasons and very few cars with DRL's. For
instance, it's 9:15 PM now and we'll still have daylight for a while.
The only thing I get with my outback DRL's is that other cars make me signs
and turn up lights to advice me that I heve to turn mines off.

Ricardo
Chile