DRL-Fog Light Hack
 

I wanted DRL but did not want to use the low beams (Litronics) on my 2000S. My approach is to use the front Fog Lights as the DRL using LED bulbs which I purchased at auction. Of course the OE H7 bulbs can also be used.

The hack involves a single jumper wire between the Fog light relay and the Fog light fuse. Now the Fog lights go on and off with the ignition switch and are switched off when the high beam headlights go on.

Required Materials:

(10) inches of 16 gauge insulated wire

(2) Fuse taps, Radio Shack P/N 270-1204

(2) female Quick Disconnectors, Radio Shack P/N 64-3131

Procedure:

1. Strip the wire ends and crimp on the Quick Disconnects.

2. Plug in a fuse tap to each of the Quick Disconnects.

3. Locate the Fog light relay in the panel above the Fuse panel. It is #12, the far left relay in the second row from the bottom.

4. Attach one of the fuse taps to pin 86 of the relay. Bend the tap to conform to the bottom of the relay. Use a piece of electrical tape to hold the wire to the side of the relay.

5. Return the relay to position #12 and run the other end of the wire to the top of the fuse panel.

6. Remove the Fog light fuse, 25 Amp, #7 (top row, 4th position from the right) from the fuse panel. Slip the fuse tap on the wire end to the upper leg of the fuse.

7. Return the fuse with the tap up into position #7.

You're done.

Thanks, I've wondered about this capability. :cheers:

I've done a similar mod to my -6.

I've been using low beams as DRLs on two-lane roads.

Like 76er, I am on 2 lane roads, mostly canopy roads with twists and hills, and I was using my fog light switch for 'manual' DRL almost without fail. That is until the switch failed a few weeks ago. Rotation axis still works fortunately but the push/pull won't stay in any position but full down. So I logged in a few hours ago to search for wiring info to bypass it and run my own fog light switch for the time being until I collect on some accounts receivable and can afford an oem replacement (also buying new roof this month and that's more important because I have a gaping hole in the windscreen).

I was planning to do a DRL mod near future for some LED wraps but didnt realize it was this easy! I just want to vouch that for my 2000 2.7, using nothing but these instructions, i made a quick trip to Radio Shack for $5.38 USD (they didn't actually have 16gauge wire so that was for the connectors and the fuse jumpers), and completed this job from start to finish in under 10 minutes after getting home. So thanks and good post.

Two cents of input - the part number for the crimp connectors was a pack of 5 m/f pairs. If you want to run additional switches or relays you'll need a lot of female and no male, so I'd go with a pack of just the same females if they have such a thing. If you're just doing this project then it's fine either way.

Also i saw on some of the other DRL posts people asking about the same thing i wanted, which was all-the-time DRLs but with the capability to switch them off. Yes you can easily add a switch but you'll need more connectors, more wire, and of course a switch. I initially just did the recipe on this post to make sure it would work on my particular car but plan on adding a switch and LED bulbs as soon as the bulbs arrive so I will post the wiring and all that when i get it done.

Note that running the fogs as DRL's might result in long term yellowing of the headlight lenses. Most of us who have done the DRL fog hack change out the fogs to LED's to eliminate this risk.

Awesome tip. I did that for the color anyway, but wouldn't have thought much about the yellowing. Here's my post-DRL-hack car.
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m..._temporary.jpg

Focusyn - looks great! I also think that the DRL's help to cut down on the number of drivers who pull out in front of me.

Savinor ~~~~
What happens if you use the fog light switch manually with this hack??? By accident, etc.
I already have my fogs hacked to operate with high beams as well as low beams. Suppose I"d have to give up that idea to use your instructions???

Between having a dark blue car and its size, I've never had so many other cars "trying" to hit me. People cut out in front of the Boxster like it is invisible. DRLs would be a blessing.

Thanks, Bob

Just did the hack and it works great!
took about 2 min total

Radio Shack no longer has the fuse tape. I found them at NAPA auto parts. Part num 784601, package of 4 for $4.49

Now ordering some LED fog lamps from Amazon. Found some 30W projector type for $30/pair

Thanks savinor
:cheers:

Great update Jay. Mine are still going strong without a problem after 5 years.

Rich

My pleasure, it was exactly what I was looking for, besides you did the hard work in figuring it out.

Any recommendations on which or what type of H7 LEDs to use?
There are a boatload of different ones available.
Are low wattage ones that output 500-700 lumens too dim?

Mine are not that bright but LEDs are easily seen even if they don't project a lot of light. Kind of like looking into a flash light. I just wanted my car to be seen.

Just completed this hack. Very nice.

Thanks Savinor!

Glad you like it. What did you use for bulbs?

Does anyone have details on this for the 987?
Thanks

After going through a lot of different bulbs for my fog lights I came across these on eBay. IMHO, they look great. Eight day delivery from China. No heat issues.

2 Pcs H7 SMD5050 12 LED Car Front Fog Light Bulb White CREE Q5 Lamp 12V 30V S0BZ | eBay

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NTg1WDU4NQ...cTg~~60_12.JPG

OK, maybe a dumb question, but I'm unclear on something: when you do this hack, do only the fog lights illuminate, or do the fog lights, parking lights, and side marker lights illuminate?

Only the fog lights and the indicator light on the interior switch.

Perfect. Thanks!

Thanks, Super easy hack.
I've considered adding a led strip for DRL's but never found any I liked.
Usually run with low beams on in the daytime so this is a big improvement.

I was going to go with a LED strip as well, but this was much easier and works great

Just be sure you change the H7 Fog light to a LED or you might burn the plastic

I've ordered LED bulbs for the replacement but I'm not worried about using the lights as they are. I've not heard of any melting issues from stock bulbs and use them often.

Just did this and it took all of 10 minutes; this is an easy way to make the Boxster more visible. Thanks to the OP!

I have a Canadian car with the DRL module, which has my new projectors on all the time. I'd like to have the fogs perform DRL functionality instead, but...

Removing the DRL module is easy enough, but I don't think that alone makes my car the same as a US car. My relay 12 is the same Type 53 relay as Relays 18-22:

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1415813664.jpg

This is not the purple relay that's apparently in US and Japan cars:

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1415813719.jpg

Will the Type 53 in position 12 will work to give me the foglight DRL or do I have to get my hands on one of the purple relays?

Or will that not even do it (i.e. other differences)? Canadians?

Here's a comparison photo, LED on right, OE on left.

The bulbs I used last yr are bluish.....not too bad with my lapis blue car but I'd like pure white. What are yours?

Those LEDs look so much better. I am doing my best to keep the Boxster OEM, but this mod is a must do. The leds look so much better with litronic lights.

That's such a subjective topic; not sure how I'd characterize them other than they are clearly whiter/bluer than the stock lights. The eBay description simply describes the color as "white." That said, I believe that the color temp is 6500-7000K, based on this listing for a similar product on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/THG-Lighting-Projector-Reverse-Parking/dp/B00HF0YZ9U

No longer sure what the temp of my led bulbs was. I believe that anything 6000 or above will have a bluish hue. It's too bad that bulb manufactures don't know the difference between white and blue.
The lens on the front of you bulbs perhaps also make a big difference. I just have 3 separate LEDs on the front. Not as much projection. Also, we rarely see lumens listed on the specs of LED bulbs. We can look up the old bulb's output but then have to guess that the LEDs are better.

My US spec car has a type 53 relay in position 12 and it works just fine.

I wasn't able to find the fuse taps suggested, so I made my own from brass sheet. I just cut a couple of strips the right width (.210", 5.5mm) and bend them up so they fit properly. The one on the relay was a bit of a strange shape, but in the end it worked. Love this idea -- thanks for the suggestion!

A friend got some LED H7 bulbs -- the same ones I use for my fog lights and recommended to him, by the way -- and they won't light. We have the same year and model, except that his came with Litronics lights and mine didn't.

It looks liked the fog lights hook up independently from the Litronics, anyhow. Does anyone have a troubleshooting suggestion? Thanks!

Questions
 

Completed the Mod and fog lights come on with key "ON" I assume that the rear Red fog works independently and should not be lighting up.

Is this right ?

Yes. ,

They do come on when I pull the light switch 2x ...:)
I found the fuse taps at Autozone

Any comments/help about using LED fog bulbs in Litronic housings? A friend got the exact same LEDs that I have, but they don't work for him.

Anyone?

Look at post #24 in this thread. They work just fine in Litronics.

In reviewing post # 23, it it possible to do the DRL mod by adding that relay ?

Unless the car came from the factory with it' there is no socket or wiring for it

In a subsequent search for another part, I came across an eBay store that sold the DRL module and wiring. Think it was around $67

I would like to run led strip daylight running lights (on a 2001 Boxster S) off a "key on" wire(less than .1 amps). Is there a wire under the "hood"?
I have tried to find a wiring diagram or a post but with no luck.
I would also like to thank the members of this forum for help with the other problems. A starter key switch acting stupid, a brake switch intermittent contact, and an abs sensor just needing cleaning.

I just instlled a LED strip between the light and bumper. There is a harness that runs to the windshield wipers that I tapped into.